The Oakland County Parks and Recreation board has changed as J. David VanderVeen is leaving and commissioners elected his successor

VanderVeen is a Clarkston resident who was appointed to the board as a delegate in 1998 and was subsequently elected to a commission seat, where he served for 21 years, the last 13 as vice chair. He retired from the board on Sept. 1.

County Parks Director Chris Ward said, VanderVeen “walks the talk about the value outdoor recreation provides as an almost daily visitor to one of our parks.”

VanderVeen retired from his county job in 2022 after almost 55 years, rising to director of central services.

He said he has a great experience on the board and was grateful to his predecessors for deciding 59 years ago to preserve open space for future generations.

“We

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