Today, city officials and project partners hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Matthew James Hansen Memorial Splash Pad at Hemlock Park in Big Rapids. 

Hundreds of locals gathered to hear from project leaders and celebrate the long-awaited opening.

“We had over 1,000 investors for this project,” said Jon Coles, Hemlock Park Improvement Committee Chair. 

Among those investors were three major contributors: Big Rapids Public Schools, Ferris State University, and Corewell Health. Representatives from all three organizations attended the event. Big Rapids City Commissioners, including Mayor Fred Guenther, were also present.

“The American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Public Works Association presented Big Rapids with their highest honor for quality of life for the splash pad and other projects,” Guenther said. “It’s truly impressive that our project was recognized as the best.”

 

^{Photo of children playing in water at the Matthew James Hansen Memorial Splash Pad (Brandon Wirth).}

Coles and Big Rapids Public Schools Superintendent, Tim Haist, shared stories about why Matthew James Hansen was chosen as the namesake for the splash pad.

“The addition of the splash pad has been described as family-oriented, fun, positive, and a joyful way to bring people together,” Coles said. “Those same words describe the late Matthew James Hansen.”

“Matt Hansen made the best out of every day,” Haist said. “His legacy continues as we share stories about him. Your legacy is every life you’ve touched, and as you look around today, Matt touched many lives. With this splash pad, he will continue to touch many more.”

Following the ceremony, the water was turned on, and children played at the splash pad for the first time. Others enjoyed the brand-new playscape, pickleball courts, tennis courts, and inflatable foosball provided by Cran-Hill Ranch. Free food was also offered by the Lions Club.

Funding for the project was made possible by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The project, which has been in the works since 2020, was headed by members of the Hemlock Park Improvement Project Committee and constructed by Fleis & VandenBrink.

For more information on the project, visit https://www.brpr.org/explore_parks/hemlock_park_improvement_project.php/.

More photos of the event: FULL ALBUM