Fundraising for splash pad reaches halfway point

$40K project scheduled for Shadyside Park

With less than two weeks before the deadline, organizers of a proposed splashpad for Shadyside Park in Mount Clemens are halfway to their goal.

A crowdfunding campaign for the Cascade in the Shade splashpad has taken in about $24,000 of the $40,000 goal announced this past winter, according to Advancing Macomb, a nonprofit group involved in the effort.

“With the support of over 70 community donors, so far, we are on our way for Shadyside Park in Mount Clemens to gain an exciting year-round play space with an interactive water feature for summer play,” Advancing Macomb officials said Saturday in a statement.

Project organizers hope a lastminute push will bring them over the top for their goal, as a campaign deadline of April 30 approaches. If the additional funding cannot be secured, the project will not proceed, City Manager Don Johnson has said.

Officials announced a crowdfunding effort in February to raise enough money to build the splashpad — a play area equipped with water features for children to play in summer months — at Shadyside Park for an undeveloped area of the recreational facility near Gratiot Avenue and Clinton River Road. It is planned to be open to the public in the summer of 2022.

Advancing Macomb has secured a $75,000 grant from Kaboom!, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit corporation designed to help uncover the best playscapes to city redevelopment for children and families. The Mount Clemens-based community de

velopment organization is seeking additional grants to construct the splashpad. The project’s total cost is estimated at $215,000.

Diane Banks, executive director of Advancing Macomb, said the project is part of the Play Everywhere Design Challenge funded with support from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. She said the organization has partnered with Anton Art Center to do the fundraising.

Phase I of the program calls for finalizing the location and cost, and beginning construction. Phase II will be in 2022 and will include a call for local artists to design murals to make it more attractive.

Cascade in the Shade continues Advancing Macomb’s partnership with the City of Mount Clemens and The Anton Art Center to provide unique opportunities to increase access to play in public spaces for families. The effort began in downtown Mount Clemens in 2019 and with community support it now turns to focus on providing more opportunities for play in the neighborhoods.

According to city officials, Mount Clemens will not contribute to the capital costs but will manage the construction.

Annual operating costs of about $12,000 are based on numbers provided by the Huron-Clinton Metroparks system for a similar-sized splash pad.

Mayor Laura Kropp expects attendance at the park will soar, if the splash pad can be financed and constructed. Shadyside Park housed what once was the city’s original water filtration system. Officials hope it has at least some of the underground infrastructure to tie the splashpad into.

With 42 acres of woods, a picnic pavilion, magic square with ramps for skateboarding, a double basketball court, playground facilities, horseshoe pits, baseball field and fishing facilities Shadyside Park is the largest of the city’s 12 parks.

To make a contribution to the effort, visit patronicity.com/cascade.