When Ray Delasko first moved into his home in the Independence Oaks County Park 31 years ago, an unwanted resident moved into his dog house.
The intruder, a racoon, was soon found going through cereal boxes in the house that Delasko, the new park supervisor, shared with his wife Joyce and young son.
Delasko put the racoon in a row boat with him and rowed it across Cricket Lake in the park to drop it off. He began rowing back, only to find the racoon was swimming after him.
‘I got to the middle of the lake and it started going under,? Delasko recalled. ‘I went back and put my oar out and it crawled onto it and into the boat.?
Delasko later put it in his truck and drove it five miles away and let it go. The racoon tried chasing the truck, but Delasko drove away and never saw it again.
The racoon encounter was a unique introduction to the life Delasko would have as a resident and park supervisor of Independence Oaks.
Delasko retired April 14 after 35 years of service to Oakland County Parks, including 31 years at the 1,100 acre park in Independence Township.
‘I’m going to miss it,? Delasko says, sitting in his office on his last day of work. ‘It’s been a great job.?
Delasko says he has always loved the outdoors, but he tried a few other jobs before he wound up in his career. After graduating high school, he worked on a factory assembly line, but says he was bored and always daydreaming. He served in the Army from 1965-67 as a helicopter mechanic in Germany, and then entered the University of Michigan to study business, but found it boring. He transferred to Michigan State University in 1968 and graduated in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation administration.
When he graduated, the state parks weren’t hiring, but because of an internship he’d had, was able to get into Groveland Oaks County Park as an assistant park manager.
Delasko married Joyce in 1972 and their wedding reception was at the Addison Oaks County Park’s conference center (where he would have his retirement party 34 years later).
‘I was working 12-14 hour shifts and that was trying on our marriage, but she loved living in the park,? he recalls. Delasko would also work at Addison Oaks and Waterford Oaks before becoming Independence Oaks? park supervisor in the fall of 1975. The park was dedicated in June 1976.
Delasko had a hand in the design of the park’s buildings, as well as trail design. His duties over the years have included preparing budgets, overseeing and training the park’s staff, ordering equipment, and protecting the environment of the year-round park which he said sees about 289,000 visitors per year.
‘We’ve been hard hit with the Emerald Ash Borer (a bug that kills ash trees) and battled gypsy moths that defoliate trees,? says Delasko, who also was supervisor of Orion Oaks County Park.
Delasko doesn’t have a set schedule, but has deadlines to meet. He spends much of his time outside, inspecting trees, playground equipment, erosion control and picnic areas.
‘I like the diversification of my job. I’ve liked raising my family here,? says Delasko, the father of three sons. ‘I’ve loved all the events? the Halloween walks, the car shows, the hay rides. I’ll miss the special events the most.?