From the very first drawings showcasing what the Friends Good Will Splash Pad in South Haven would look like it has been a winner in the hearts and minds of thousands. Now, that tremendous outpouring of love has been converted into hardware in the form of the American Public Works Association Michigan Chapter’s Project of the Year Award.
The City of South Haven announced this morning that its Friends Good Will Splash Pad has earned the top award in the “Structure Less Than $1 Million” category from the public works association, saying, “The City of South Haven is honored to accept this award, and is excited to offer this new, vibrant community space to the people who live in and visit South Haven, Michigan.” 
The new splash pad, which officially opened in July of 2020 is located along the Black River and adjacent South Beach. It was modeled after the Friends Good Will ship, a replica of a 19th century tall ship that sails the Black River on daily excursions led by the Michigan Maritime Museum. As a port city, South Haven has seen its share of ships, but none as special as the Friends Good Will. The original Friends Good Will had a storied history beginning life as a merchant ship moving goods around the Great Lakes. It was captured by the British in 1812, was armed, and became part of the British Navy until recaptured by Commodore Oliver Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie.
Everybody involved agreed that the splash pad should pay the Friends Good Will a fitting tribute. As a result, the design centers on a custom Elevations pirate ship structure, decked out in the same green and gold as its namesake. The two sections of the ship feature a number of dynamic water features, from the spray spouting from its bow to a rear deck onto which children can climb and direct water cannons over playmates below.
The splash pad project was about much more than creating a new attraction for residents and children to use. City Manager Kate Hosier says, “First and foremost, this project was about safety,” and adds, “Given its location adjacent to South Beach, the splash pad provides a safe water based play option when lake conditions are dangerous. Our public safety department has been a big proponent of the project and the value it brings as a safer play option for residents and visitors alike.”
At ground level, a variety of spray elements from the Splashpad Ocean Sailing collection dot the wheelchair-accessible, zero-depth surface to cool off younger adventurers, while water cannons and dumping buckets entice older children into higher-energy social play. The Splash pad can accommodate up to 195 users, and the wide range of aquatic play features means there is something for everyone to safely enjoy, no matter their age or ability.
The playscape is ringed by a low wall that doubles as seating and anchors the amenity in the park environment. Shaded areas and a circle of picnic tables make the Friends Good Will Splashpad at Riverfront Park a wonderful addition to the city’s park system. Families can pack a lunch or enjoy snacks and refreshments from nearby businesses, and have fun in the sun without having to worry about the currents of Lake Michigan.
The design was chosen after an extensive public participation process that included the project team going into both Lincoln Elementary School and Maple Grove Elementary School to conduct design charrettes soliciting input from kids in the community. South Haven Mayor Scott Smith says, “It was very important to us that we gained input from the people who would be using this new splash pad,” adding, “Instead of managing this project with a top down approach, we decided to go right to the source and work with the community’s children on the design. Each area of the splash pad has play elements geared to children of different age ranges.”
The splash pad has been a true community project with input and support coming from virtually every corner of the community. Mayor Smith says, “In addition to the great work the City Council and Parks Commission did leading this project to fruition, I want to extend a very special thank you to the Rotary Club of South Haven, the Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation, the South Haven/Van Buren Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the South Haven Downtown Development Authority who have been strong advocates of this project and led the fundraising efforts to help pay for this new world class addition to our riverfront.”
Benton Harbor-based Abonmarche Consultants led the design efforts for the project and secured a nearly $300,000 grant on behalf of the city to assist in covering a portion of the project’s cost. Construction for the project was over-seen by Compton Inc. of South Haven. Founded in 1946, Compton has been an integral part of the community for multiple generations. Vortex Aquatic Structures, an industry leader in development of splash pads, provided assistance to both the design and construction teams.
The Michigan Chapter of APWA will be holding its Annual Conference at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, and the Awards Banquet will be held on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. At the Awards Banquet, the Michigan Chapter will recognize this project as an award winner, and the project has been forwarded to the APWA National office for competition at the national level.
