Pontiac Times

Oxford Charter Township issued the following announcement on Jan 13.

Parks Director to retire July 1

For 27 years, Director Ron Davis has been the driving force behind the Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Department. It’s been his vision, his passion, his leadership, his cooperative spirit, his ability to inspire, his love for the community and his willingness to “go for it” that’s helped make Oxford a better place.

But all good things must come to an end. On Tuesday night, Ron announced he will be retiring on July 1, 2022.

“It’s time,” Ron said. “I’ve accomplished everything I could. It’s time to close this chapter in my life and give somebody else the same opportunity I was blessed with. It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve met a lot of great people and built a lot of great relationships with local businesses. I can’t thank the community enough for everything they’ve done for my family and myself. It’s been a pleasure to work here.”

Ron embarked on his career as a park and recreation professional in 1989. He began as an intern in Independence Township and was soon hired as a full-time recreation programmer. Ron moved to Southfield in 1991 where he worked as a recreation programmer and facilities supervisor.

In 1995, Ron took the job that would change his life and shape an entire community – director of the Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Department.

When Ron arrived in Oxford, there were two township parks (Stony Lake and Seymour Lake), a handful of recreation programs and two full-time staff members, one of whom was him.

Anyone who knows Ron knows he’s never been one to dream small or accept the status quo. Thanks to his ideas, his zeal, his imagination and his strong work ethic, the size and scope of the parks and recreation department’s facilities and offerings has grown exponentially.

Today, the department maintains 500 acres of land spread across four unique township parks. It offers a vast array of fun and educational programs and special events for people of all ages and abilities. It also employs eight full-time staff members, including Ron. 

Without Ron’s infectious enthusiasm, there would be no Kids Kingdom playground, no 300-acre Oakwood Lake Park, no KLR Splashpad, no sledding hills, no disc golf course at Seymour Lake Park, no ice-skating rink, no senior center, no Seymour Celebration, no Memorial Maples program . . . the list goes on and on.

Ron is particularly proud of the “H2O – Help to Oxford” water drive and convoy spearheaded by the parks and recreation department and other community members in 2005. Through this program, 14 local volunteers used six trucks and two trailers to transport more than 52,000 bottles of water, plus other supplies, from Oxford, Michigan to Oxford, Mississippi. At the time, the southern city was housing an estimated 2,000 to 4,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees.

“We pulled everything together so quickly,” Ron said. “We started collecting cases of water and (monetary) donations on Tuesday (Sept. 6). We hit the road for Mississippi on Friday evening. We had everything there by Saturday afternoon and we were back in Oxford on Sunday. It was just incredible how fast we pulled that off and how much stuff we took to help people out. I’m pretty proud of that.”

But Ron is the first to admit that he did not accomplish all of the above on his own. He never fails to give credit and thanks to his staff members, the parks and recreation commission, local businesses, donors, volunteers, family members and of course, the community itself.

“You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with,” Ron said. “I could have never made these things happen without the support and trust of the people in this community, from the folks who’ve rolled up their sleeves and worked side-by-side with us to the voters who’ve said ‘yes’ to our millage and bond proposals. It’s never been about me. It’s always been about the community, friends, family and staff.”

When it comes to selecting the next director, Ron hopes the parks and recreation commission hires a “visionary” who is “open-minded, caring” and above all, “honest.”

“My dad told me, ‘Don’t ever say anything during the day that will keep you up at night.’ I try to live by that,” he said.

Looking back at his time serving Oxford and its people, Ron has nothing but fond memories and warm feelings.

“It’s been a great ride. It really has. I’m so blessed,” he said.

Original source can be found here.