The new splash pad in South Haven is finished and open. The city held a ribbon cutting for the more than $600,000 attraction Thursday. The splash pad is similar to the Whirlpool Compass Fountain in St. Joseph, although it has a maritime theme. South Haven Interim City Manager Kate Hosier tells WSJM News it’s designed to resemble the tall ship, the Friend’s Good Will, a replica of an 1800s sailing schooner that’s featured at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven. In addition to being fun, Hosier says it’s intended to enhance safety.
“This kind of came about when we have had unsafe swimming conditions, when the lake’s too rough,” Hosier said. “Also, there’s just some people that don’t have very good swimming skills or they’re just too small.”
The splash pad gives them a safer place to cool off. Hosier says the pad was supported by the South Haven Community Foundation and Rotary Club of South Haven in addition to receiving a grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. It’s located just east of South Beach on the Black River channel.
