WATERFORD (WWJ) — What should Oakland County Parks officials do with the state's oldest wave pool?
That's the question they're asking the public as they figure out what to do with the wave pool and waterpark at Waterford Oaks County Park on Scott Lake Road near Telegraph.
Officials announced last month the waterpark will not be opening for the 2025 season, due to "the steep decline in ticket sales that has occurred since the popular raft ride was removed in 2019."
The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to pause operations after the wave pool saw its smallest number of visitors in 50 years in the summer of 2024, despite record temperatures.
While it has been one of the most popular parks in the area dating back to the 1970s, the site has been deteriorating due to the inability to keep up with maintenance.
Now, the county has launched an online survey to get input from the community on what should be done with the park.
Officials said preliminary plans have been developed to consider options such as rebuilding a waterpark with modern features, renovations to operate primarily as a public pool or adapting the site for non-aquatic recreation uses.
"We want to be sure that whatever option is chosen meets the needs of the public and is financially sustainable to maintain and operate in the long term," a release from the county said.
In the coming months, an updated improvement plan will be developed, but in the meantime, officials are seeking the public's input and ideas for the changes they'd like to see in the park.
Meanwhile, Waterford Oaks County Parks will remain open in 2025, hosting their first-ever "Fireworks and Flannels" event on Saturday, Feb. 15, an outdoor winter festival featuring a 5K run, live entertainment, a beer tent, horse-drawn wagon rides and a fireworks display.
Construction will be underway this spring and summer at the park on a new multimillion-dollar "universally accessible play area" called Cattail Cove, featuring new pickleball courts, an adult jungle gym and a pavilion/restroom building.
Those who want to have input on what's next for the park can fill out the brief survey here.
