Cascade Falls (Jackson, Michigan)
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The Cascades is a manmade waterfall attraction in Sparks Foundation County Park, Jackson, Michigan. The falls are both illuminated and choreographed and is the site of concerts and special events from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Three times a year, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, fireworks displays are presented at the Cascade Falls. Since its creation in 1932, millions of people have enjoyed the beauty of the Cascades.
The falls have six fountains, three reflecting pools, each 30 feet (9.1 m) by 90 feet (27 m) and 16 falls, 11 of which are illuminated. These illuminated falls are accompanied by a variety of music. It is 500 feet (150 m) long, 64 feet (20 m) wide and 60 feet (18 m) deep. There are 126 steps along each side of the falls allowing visitors access to the top. This walkway passes the three reflecting pools. The falls are operated through the use of a 2,000 US gallons (7.6 m3) per minute water pump that filters, chlorinates, and recycles the water.[1] The Splash Pad, opened in 2017, features a miniature water park with a large water-dumping bucket on the south side of the Cascade Falls.[2]
The Cascade Falls are operated by the Jackson County Parks Department. They are open Wednesday through Sunday from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day.[3]
History
The Cascade Falls were built in 1932. They are the result of William Sparks' dream to do something for the people of Jackson and to build an attraction that would provide visitors with a positive impression of the city.
Directly west of the Sparks home was swampy bog land. Mr. Sparks' original plan was to acquire the property and convert it into a skating pond. His vision grew, and soon included plans called for the development of a park which would include a golf course, lagoons, canal, toboggan slides, landscaped grounds, picnic areas, a clubhouse, and the Cascades. The William and Matilda Sparks Foundation was created in the fall of 1929 to develop the land into a recreation spot and meditation center.
Magic Fountain of Montjuïc in Barcelona, Spain served as Sparks’ inspiration for the Cascade Falls.[4] After experimenting with a scale model, a contract was awarded to the North-Moller Construction Company on October 17, 1931. The contract required that the job be completed by April 26, 1932, that Jackson labor be used, and that married men be shown preference. Work continued on schedule throughout the winter, and the falls opened to a crowd of 25,000 people on May 9, 1932, Captain Spark's 59th birthday.[3]
