With warmer temperatures come opportunities for swimming and splashing. This summer, dive into one or more of these local water attractions to cool off. Before visiting, please refer to each location’s website for the most current information regarding fees and schedules.
Indoor and Outdoor Pools
Summit on the Park Aquatic Center
Just down the street from the Canton Public Library, the Summit on the Park’s newly renovated Aquatic Center offers everything from open swim to parent and tot swim, as well as water fitness classes. Rates for memberships or limited passes vary by age and residency.
Livonia Parks and Recreation offers the Kirksey Recreation Center, which includes access to an indoor and outdoor pool and water slides. Rates for memberships or limited passes vary by age and residency.
The City of Livonia has three outdoor pools as well. Daily or seasonal passes are available for purchase.
From May to December, the City of Dearborn offers four pools for public use. A swimming tag is required and rates vary by age and residency. Swimming tags are available for purchase at the service desk of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center and at Dunworth Pool.
Rutherford Pool is a community pool located in Ypsilanti. The pool provides open swim times in addition to swim lessons and other events. Daily and seasonal passes are available.
Splash Pads
Splash pads offer a great way for little ones to enjoy splashing around and playing with water during the summer months.
Heritage Park Splash Playground
Pop on over to the Splash Playground in Heritage Park and enjoy a variety of sprinkler-style water features for all ages. The splash playground is open from 11:00 AM-8:00 PM every day (weather permitting) from Memorial Day through Labor Day and is free of charge.
Plymouth Township Park Sprayscape
The Sprayscape is open seven days a week and is free of charge. All ages are welcome to enjoy the park’s water cannons, ground sprays and many other structures.
Splash pads are free of charge at a variety of Dearborn parks. They accommodate all ages, but children under 10 must be supervised by someone age 16 or older.
Farmington’s Heritage Park Splash Pad
Located inside Farmington’s Heritage Park, this splash pad features many fountains and sprayers for folks of all ages and is free of charge. There is an attached Snack Shack for treats and refreshments and a nearby Nature Discovery Trail.
Schooner-themed water features, “kid-activated” water cannons, fishing and a cafe are all available free of charge at this universally accessible park on Detroit’s Riverfront.
City of Westland’s H20 Zone Spray Park
The City of Westland’s H20 Zone Spray Park offers many water attractions, including an 18-foot spray helicopter and a massive dump bucket. Rates for memberships or limited passes vary by residency, and can be purchased on-site or through the city’s online recreation portal.
Water Parks
Part of the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation system, Rolling Hills County Park in Ypsilanti offers a lazy river, wave pool, water slides and an activity pool for younger kids. They also offer special events such as a River Walk, a Doggy Dip, sensory splash time and special needs swim days. Rates for entry vary by age and residency.
Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center
Located inside the Lower Huron Metropark—home to a variety of natural water features and activities—Turtle Cove features water slides, a lazy river, and a splash zone with a huge dumping bucket. Water park rates vary by height. Use a Michigan Activity Pass for special discounts on Metropark entry.
Featuring abundant beaches, kayaking and canoeing, water activities, and exciting wildlife and waterfowl, the Kensington Metropark in Milford is not to be missed. For extra aquatic fun, the Splash ‘n’ Blast water park has water slides, a splash pad and water cannons. Water park rates vary by height. Use a Michigan Activity Pass for special discounts on Metropark entry.
Beaches, Lakes, and Rivers
A strip of shoreline at the southeastern edge of Van Buren Park is open for swimming from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Rates for memberships or limited passes vary by age and residency.
This family-owned and operated private swim club off of Plymouth Road features two lakes. A yearly membership is required.
Part of the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation system, Independence Lake County Park (or “Indy Lake”) in Whitmore Lake features biking, boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, summer yoga, stargazing events and more. For an additional fee, visitors can enjoy the Blue Heron Bay Spray Park as well. Rates for memberships or limited passes vary by age and residency.
This 982-acre island park is on the Detroit River between the U.S. and Canada, and includes an aquarium, a beach, a conservatory, paddling, fishing and more. Use a Michigan Activity Pass for special discounts on park entry.
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