Lily Pad Springs
West Bloomfield Parks + Recreation Commission
West Bloomfield Township, Michigan
The development of Lily Pad Springs, one of the largest splash pads in Michigan, began when the West Bloomfield Parks + Recreation Commission recognized the opportunity to assess the status of their parks and recreation offerings and identify a bridge to the future by hiring Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio (JHLE) to assist in the development of a parks and recreation strategic plan.
One of the tasks associated with the strategic plan was to assess the usage of and operational costs associated with its Family Aquatic Center. It was determined that operational costs continually exceeded revenues year after year. The Commission concluded that the aquatic center could no longer be sustainably operated and focused, instead, on repurposing the site.
The Township and JHLE began the process of redeveloping the 5.2 acre site with a conceptual planning phase and community engagement. After settling on the new program for the site, JHLE moved forward with the design development and construction document phase of the project. The focal point of the final design is a state-of-the-art recirculating splash pad, which includes over 50 play features, a 2,400 square foot climbable structure with 4 water slides, and a 55 gallon dump bucket.
Other site features include a maintenance and restroom building, a ticketing building, several shade structures, changing rooms, parking, food truck area, stormwater improvements, and site furnishings. Construction was completed in 2021.
Largest splash pad in Michigan, which includes over 50 play features, a 2,400 square foot climbable structure with 4 water slides, and a 55 gallon dump bucket.
