HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1971.12.16 - 16028Decerob.1 r)„ 1971
MISCf.E.LLAN EOUS RESOLUTION NO 588.1 .„
By Mr. Mainland and Mr. Richardson
IN RE: MEMORIAL RESOLUTION, KENNE.TH LxicAPoommxxxxiigxx vANNATTA
TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Mr. Chairman, Ladie:s and Gentlemen:
VanNatta
Kenneth L. )(goeWx, Director of Parks and Recreation for the Oakland
County Parks and FIcreai-lon Commission, passed a way on December 2 , 1971„ at the •
age of 59 years, having resided in Davisburg, Sprina .flold Township, Michigan.
He was born in April, 1912, in Chicago, Illinois,. and received his schooling
at the Austin High School and DePoul University, Chicago, Illinois, and Oakland
University, here in Michigan, attaining the rank of Registered Landscape Architct,
From 1946 through 1958, he was active in landscaping work with the Detroit 1 en
and Garden Show, becoming Assistant Manager, and lal'er was Assistant Exhibit Sales
Manager of the Michigan State Fair in the late fifties
From 1953 through 1955, he served as the elected Springfield Tcy,-.,,Olip
Supervisor and wcis 0 nciS of the Oakland County Board of Supervisors in the same
period, and from 1960 through 1965, was employed with Oakland County and was
responsible for the landscape. development of the County Comp l ex—
VanNatta
Kenneth L. 1/xxx*k9Wg. was appointed as Director of the Parks and Recreation
Commission in February of 1966, at Ihe same time or the Commission was established by
action of the Board of Supervisors, pursuant to Act 261, Public Acts of 1965
He served in a dual role of Superinten dent of County Lands and Grounds
Division, Real Estate Division, and Director of the Parks Commission; and largely through
his efforts, the spec ial ml age for the purpose of acquirin9 and developino a pork system
n 00 kland COUn ly wC.T/ approved b y th e vote rs in November, 1966, and c.-coin in
August, 1970, which resulted in the creation of six parks totaling 2,200 acres.
His memberships Include Notional Recreation and Park Association, bAichiL';an
Recreation and Park Association, service on the Board of Directors of the National
Associa.tion of County Park and Recreational Officials, during which ti[ra, the National
AssocioHoc of Counties preented Mr. Van/Natta with a plaque symbolic of the Nation's
outstanding County Park System.
Kenneth L. Von'Natia was a dedicated man who worked diligently in the
interests of his community and fellow man. His ideals and goals to establish one of the
finest County Park Systems in the Nation will serve as a guiding inspiration for the future.
Mr. Chairman, I move that the foregoing Memorial Resolution be spread upon
the proceedings of this meeting of the Oakland -County Board of Commissioners and that
a certified copy, affixed with the Great Seal of the County of Oakland be forwarded to
his surviving wife, Bernice.
SPECIAL MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
WILLIAM M. RICHARDS, Chairman
County Board of Commissioners
VTELTATA-1 MA I NLAN D, Man
Parks and Recreation Commission
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
E. FRAN K - '-1,;17(„—HTP:1537-T,---Member
Parks and Recreation Commission