Looking for a fun way to beat the heat—without packing floaties, goggles, and a lifeguard-level anxiety kit? Instead of heading to the lake, give your local splash pad a visit.

The ’Gander’s Chaunie Brusie has rounded up the best public splash pads across Michigan, from free options tucked into community parks to the largest splash pad in the state.

Plus: Michiganders are bracing for consequences after President Donald Trump signed legislation to cut federal funding for Medicaid. We have more on what this means for the state, and the Michigan Republican US representatives who supported it.

DOJ investigates MI voter rolls (Votebeat): The US Justice Department has asked Michigan for details about its voter rolls and registration practices, following a complaint over compliance with a federal law requiring unique voter identifiers. Michigan officials say they don’t accept the premise of the complaint and point to past court rulings upholding their voter list maintenance practices.

MSU Extension SNAP-Ed program faces layoffs due to cuts (MI Advance): The expiration of SNAP-Ed funding this October is expected to cause major job losses at MSU Extension, with up to 120 positions potentially being cut, according to the Extension’s union. MSU officials say the exact number of layoffs is still unclear, but impacted staff will be notified by July 31. Snap-Ed is a federally funded program that teaches people how to cook healthily and lead active lives.

West MI county drops ‘divisive’ motto (AP): Ottawa County is dropping its controversial “Where Freedom Rings” motto, a slogan adopted in 2023 by a far-right board majority that has since lost control. The current board chair called the phrase divisive, and a proposal to replace it with “In God We Trust” failed in a 7-4 vote.

Water fountains, a slide, and sprayers at the Dodge Park splash pad in Sterling Heights, Michigan. (Image courtesy of Dodge Park)

By Chaunie Brusie

As a mom of four kids born within six years, splash pads were once a staple in my life. A high-quality splash pad was an opportunity for me to provide my kids with water fun, all without the hassle of floaties, life jackets, goggles, and the imminent risk of drowning that a larger pool had.

I have very fond memories of visiting many public splash pads in Michigan, and while I didn’t take my kids across the whole state, I did visit enough to provide my assessment of the best splash pads in the Mitten. On my list? Affordable prices, shaded spots for babies and parents, and bonus points for snacks, of course.

1. Cascades Splash Pad

The Cascades Splash Pad in Jackson is a steal for toddler parents because kids ages three and under are totally free. And kids four and up aren’t high-priced either, costing just $2/kid. All ages can enjoy more than a dozen water features within the fenced-in splash pad on the south side of the historic Cascades Falls in Sparks Foundation County Park.

There are lounge chairs, a patio area, and on-site concessions, along with group rates and seasonal passes for even more convenience. (Call 517-788-4320 for more information.) Wednesdays are Family Nights, where kids and families can enjoy amped-up water fun, thanks to live music and character appearances, along with extended hours from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. And when the fun is done for the day, don’t forget to swing on into the nearby popular Cascades Ice Cream Co.

2. Lily Pad Springs Pad

The Lily Pad Springs splash pad is the largest splash pad in all of Michigan, with over 50 play features, four water slides, and a splash bucket that dumps 55 gallons of water. The splash pad is also inclusive, being fully ADA and Universally Accessible, and offering sensory-friendly Monday play experiences.

The pad features shaded picnic areas with tables, limited to two per family, and vending machines are also available. Food trucks also visit the splash pad on select weekends.

Residents are encouraged to order tickets online. On-site tickets are sold until capacity is reached 15 minutes prior to each session’s start. Nonresidents can also pre-order tickets via phone 15 days before they plan to visit by calling 248-451-1900.

3. Mehney Splashpad at Millennium Park Beach

Providing a cool (ha, get it?) opportunity for families to avoid driving all the way to Lake Michigan, the Mehney Splashpad is located at Millennium Park Beach, a sandy beach on the shores of the 100-acre lake. One admission fee gets you access to both the beach and the splash pad, and if you’re in need of a ride, there’s a direct Rapid bus route straight from Grand Rapids to Millennium Park.

The splash pad features over a dozen sprayers, buckets, and splashers, while the VanAndel Beach house features locker rooms, picnic areas, and a concession stand with hot food and frozen treats. Although the rates are affordable, season passes are also available for even more savings and convenience.

Michiganders are bracing for consequences after President Donald Trump signed Republican-led legislation to cut federal funding for Medicaid. (Image collage via Canva)

By Kyle Kaminski

All seven US House Republicans from Michigan helped advance President Donald Trump’s “one big, beautiful” budget bill into law. And now Michiganders are bracing for up to 200,000 of their families, friends, and neighbors losing health care coverage statewide.

“This bill will have a devastating impact on people’s lives,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement this month. “Cuts to Medicaid will hurt vulnerable Michiganders the most.”

Trump’s congressional spending bill passed in the US House last month with support from Michigan Republican US Reps. Tom Barrett, Jack Bergman, Bill Huizenga, John James, John Moolenaar, Lisa McClain and Tim Walberg. It was signed into law by Trump on July 4.

The law features a sprawling tax and spending package that delivers large tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations while slashing funds for programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). And the latest reports show the budget bill will carve roughly $1 trillion out of the Medicaid program over the next 10 years. As a result, state officials say nearly 200,000 Michiganders could lose their coverage altogether—largely because of new paperwork hurdles and eligibility checks that are included in the newly signed federal legislation.

A state report reviewed in a joint legislative committee last month warned that hospitals—especially in rural areas—may also be forced to downsize or close due to fewer Medicaid patients, ultimately threatening up to 30,000 health care jobs statewide.

On the flip side of gutting Medicaid, a Michigan program recently helped forgive more than $140 million in medical debt for over 200,000 of the state’s residents. We asked ’Ganders how they felt about the program, and heard back from hundreds of you. Here are some highlights:

“It’s wonderful to see this. Now if they would do the same for student debt from Michigan colleges. Just imagine how much more money would be pumped into our economy if folks didn’t have that debt?!?” — Barbara Winowiecki

“Medicare for All from birth to death and eliminate all other insurances. Then we won’t be gouged with over pricing medical debt.” — Rick Gardner

“I am proud of our state erasing medical debt of as many people as possible that do not have means to pay. Keep doing so.” — Marge Polys

“I think it is a great idea to help those who need it. I do not know the criteria for this program. I do think it has to be done on an individual basis. I do feel it should be a careful process. If not it will be a program that will run out of money and end up like other programs not run correctly. Then people will find a need to blame someone.” — Mary G.

Have a question you want me to ask our community? Feel free to send it my way. I might feature it in a future newsletter.

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This email is written by Karel Vega, newsletter editor at The ’Gander. Have a question or comment? Reply back to this email!