Making a Splash: Kennedy Park Splash Pad Celebrates Opening with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Posted on September 28, 2026
Families in Eastpointe have a new place to cool off and gather after the City officially opened the new Kennedy Park Splash Pad following an Aug. 27 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Located on the site of the former Kennedy Park swimming pool, the facility brings water recreation back to one of the community’s most popular parks. Besides the splash pad itself, visitors will find two covered picnic pavilions, seating areas, decorative fencing, drinking fountains, and accessible pedestrian connections that link the facility to the surrounding park.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Eastpointe Mayor Michael Klinefelt said he remembered when Eastpointe had a pool and how that changed after “times got tough in the city.”
“We had to say goodbye to a lot of amenities and special things that we really cherished,” the mayor said. “So, bringing a water feature back to this park is something that this community has wanted and needed for a long time.”
Community input shaped the splash pad’s final appearance. During the planning process, residents reviewed and voted on the play equipment’s themes and color concepts. The final design evokes a woodland theme with vibrant colors and play features such as mushrooms and turtles. Interactive water elements and lighting effects further enhance the experience.
In addition, the splash pad incorporates features that are designed to reduce long-term operating costs and conserve water. The facility uses a recirculating water system that significantly reduces potable water consumption compared to traditional flow-through systems. Additional conservation measures, including activator buttons and timed controls, help limit water use when the splash pad is not occupied.
The project was also designed to be welcoming and accessible, with ADA-compliant parking, restrooms, pathways, showers, and other amenities that allow people of varying abilities to enjoy the space.
The project was supported through a combination of grants and regional partnerships, including funding from the State of Michigan, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the Recreation Authority of Roseville and Eastpointe. Planning began in 2024, construction started in 2025, and work was completed earlier this summer.
Macomb County Commissioner Sarah Lucido said she has wanted to get a splash pad to Eastpointe as far back as 10 years ago. She thanked Michigan Sen. Veronica Klinefelt for her role in helping secure funding for the project.
“This splash pad is for everyone else here,” Lucido said. “It’s for the city of Eastpointe, for all the residents here. This splash pad is for you.”
With the facility now open, Eastpointe residents have regained a water recreation destination at Kennedy Park just in time to enjoy the final weeks of summer.