Appropriations Requests for : City of Southfield

Sponsoring legislator

Jeremy Moss

Posted Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 10:03 PM Download

1. Cosponsoring legislators:: No Cosponsors

Recipient Information

2. Intended legislatively directed spending item recipient:: City of Southfield
3. Physical address of legislatively directed spending item recipient and the intended location of the project or activity:: City address: 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI 48307, Locations of projects: Inglenook Park, 20901 W 12 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48076; Bauervic Woods Park, 20545 W. Nine Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48076; Freeway Park/Lincoln Woods Nature Preserve, 15999 Lincoln Dr, Southfield, MI 48076
4. The recipient's employer identification number:: 386031668

Funding Details

5. Requested amount of the legislatively directed spending item:: $4,010,000.00
6. What is the purpose and how does the legislatively directed spending item provide a public benefit that is an appropriate use of taxpayer money?: City of Southfield - Various Park Improvements totaling $4,010,000.00. Breakdown of costs and projects below. INGLENOOK PARK - Total Estimated Project Cost: $2,110,000 Estimated Cost Breakdown: • Pathway improvements, berm removal, vehicle & pedestrian entrances: $760,000 • Playground demolition and replacement: $700,000 • Restroom demolition and replacement: $650,000 This project focuses on improving accessibility, safety, and aging infrastructure at one of Southfield’s most heavily used community parks. Located at 1234 Twelve Mile Road, Inglenook Park is a 42.41-acre Community Park serving residents through organized sports, recreation, and nature-based activities. Amenities include an accessible parking lot with pervious pavers, restroom facilities, four ball fields, shade pavilion, accessible playground, picnic seating, safety lighting, a fitness trail, and open green space. The park also features the historic Miller Barn and a ten-acre wooded natural area. Inglenook is heavily utilized for softball and baseball programming, the fitness trail, and the universally accessible playground. With more than 200 parking spaces and on-site restrooms, it is one of Southfield’s most popular parks and experiences consistent high traffic throughout the year. Due to age and heavy use, several key amenities are in need of improvement. The playground—one of the first accessible playgrounds in the region when constructed in the early 2000s—now requires replacement to meet current accessibility and safety standards. The existing restroom building is outdated and not fully accessible for individuals with physical challenges. The proposed plan includes demolition of the current structure and replacement with a year-round facility similar to those at Beech Woods Park and Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve. To improve visibility, accessibility, and emergency responder site lines, the project also proposes removal of the berm between the sidewalk and parking lot. A new pedestrian pathway near the Miller Barn would provide a safer entrance into the park. Additionally, the vehicle entry/exit would be reconstructed to include a left-turn lane to help reduce traffic congestion following softball games. The existing limestone fitness trail would be paved with asphalt to create a smooth, level, and fully accessible walking path for users of all abilities. These improvements will enhance accessibility, improve safety, and ensure Inglenook Park continues to serve residents of all ages and abilities for decades to come. BAUERVIC WOODS PARK - Total Estimated Project Cost: $400,000 Located at 20545 W. Nine Mile Road, Bauervic Woods Park is an 80.44-acre nature preserve offering residents a peaceful outdoor setting for recreation and exploration. Park amenities include extensive natural surface trails, a playground, picnic seating, and gravel parking. The park sits along the 9 Line Trail system, connecting multiple Oakland County communities and serving both neighborhood visitors and regional trail users. The playground is a popular destination for families from Southfield and surrounding areas. While the department has added a portable restroom in recent years to accommodate visitors, the installation of a permanent vault restroom would significantly enhance the user experience for park guests and trail users alike. Recent improvements at Bauervic Woods Park have focused on increasing visibility from Nine Mile Road and removing unsafe trees near the playground to improve safety. The park was also heavily impacted by straight-line winds during the summer of 2023, resulting in additional tree loss and ongoing site recovery needs. Proposed improvements include the construction of a formal pathway connection from the 9 Line Trail into Bauervic Woods Park to provide a clearly defined and accessible entrance for trail users. In addition, installation of a permanent vault restroom facility would provide necessary amenities to support increased visitation. These enhancements are intended to improve accessibility, safety, and overall visitor experience while preserving the natural character of the site. FREEWAY PARK / LINCOLN WOODS NATURE PRESERVE - Total Estimated Project Cost: $1,500,000 Phase 1 of Freeway Park Master Plan - Freeway Park is an 11.51-acre neighborhood park uniquely situated as an overpass above Interstate 696, providing a vital pedestrian connection between surrounding residential neighborhoods, schools, religious institutions, and nearby commercial areas. Park amenities include a recently renovated playground, paved walking trail, accessible parking, picnic seating, open green space, and large paved activity areas. Adjacent to Freeway Park is the 21.71-acre Lincoln Woods Nature Preserve, a wooded natural area featuring informal nature trails and connected directly to Freeway Park. The preserve does not include formal parking and is accessed primarily through the park. Since completion of the playground renovation, Freeway Park has become an increasingly popular neighborhood destination with strong potential for expanded recreational use. The site also serves as an important safe travel corridor for members of the surrounding Jewish community accessing schools and services throughout the week. Thompson K-8 International Academy is located directly across the street, further reinforcing the park’s role as a daily pedestrian connector. A Master Plan process was initiated in 2025 to better understand community needs and identify opportunities for enhancement. Current conceptual plans include replacing the central paver stone area with a multi-sport surface, adding seating and shade structures, improving the existing parking lot, installing restroom facilities, upgrading lighting for safer evening use, and making improvements to the park’s pathway system to enhance circulation and overall flow. These proposed improvements aim to strengthen Freeway Park’s function as both a neighborhood recreation hub and a critical pedestrian link while increasing safety, comfort, and accessibility for all users.
7. Has the legislatively directed spending item previously received or been awarded any of the following types of funding in the past 5 years?: No previous funding received
8. Estimated time frame for completion of the legislatively directed spending item project:: The project completion is estimated to be 18 months.

Additional Information For Nonprofit Corporations

9. Is the recipient a nonprofit corporation?: No

Certification By Sponsoring Legislator

"I certify that my immediate family members, legislative staff members, and I have no direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the requested legislatively directed spending item."
"I certify that the intended recipient of this legislatively directed spending item is not a for-profit entity."
"I certify that the information in this form is true to the best of my knowledge."

Senator Jeremy Moss