Credit union donates to Innovation Hills Park

Rochester-based Chief Financial Credit Union has made a $60,000 donation to develop a unique water feature at Rochester Hills' Innovation Hills, the city's newest park. The donation will help to develop a water wall that will showcase moving water over natural slate near the entrance of the park, which will serve as a focal point of the new park. In addition, the donation will provide for the park's first public shelter near the entrance of the park. The donation is the largest for the Innovation Hills fundraising campaign to date. The money will provide visitors a beautiful place to gather and allow future generations to connect with nature and preserve the environment, said Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan K. Barnett. "We are proud to partner with Chief Financial to make this vision become a reality," he said. "We are so thankful that the residents and businesses believe in our vision to create the region's coolest new park and are willing to join us in making that dream a reality." Located at 2800 W. Hamlin Road, Innovation Hills contains more than 100 acres of undeveloped woodlands, wetland and prairie habitat overlooking the Clinton River. As the largest outdoor classroom in the region, the park will provide a wide variety of hands-on educational opportunities that promote experiential learning and long term appreciation for nature. The park is being developed through a blend of public funds and private donations. "Chief Financial is proud to give back to one of the places we call home," said Tom Dluzen, CEO with Chief Financial Credit Union. "Our team looks forward to seeing the impact of this gift for years to come."