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The History of Cascades Park

In the early 20th century, William Sparks, one of the most successful and influential men in Jackson's history, had a dream for his city. That dream was to create a wondrous attraction in which Jackson residents could take pride - a unique venue that would captivate visitors from all corners of the globe. William's vision began to take shape in 1929, when he formed the William and Matilda Sparks Foundation, a non-profit organization that would fund and oversee the construction of his dream - the Sparks Foundation County Park.

On his birthday, May 9th 1932, the Park opened its gates to the public with great fanfare. The towering Cascade Falls sent 500 feet of rushing water tumbling down levels of alternating colored lights while fountains danced along to musical accompaniment. Thousands of people from across the country and around the world flocked to Jackson, Michigan to view the spectacle of the largest man-made waterfalls in North America.

The inaugural operation of Cascade Falls was the centerpiece of the opening of what is now known as Cascades Park - a 465-acre span of open fields and shimmering lagoons. Musical variety shows, celebrity guests and Sparks' own award-winning synchronized drill team, the Zouaves (earning him the nickname 'Captain'), all took part in entertaining visitors at the Amphitheatre in front of the Falls. Through the Park, families strolled down the Paredo, picnicked on the lawns, played ball in the fields and hit the links on the championship Golf Course.

The dream had finally become reality.

Following William's death in 1943, Cascades Park was donated to Jackson County, helping keep the Captain's dream alive and making it the largest park in the Jackson County Park System. However, years of aging infrastructure and damage caused by vandals threatened to shut down Cascade Falls permanently. A massive collaborative effort by the community in 1969 to 'Save the Cascades' helped re-open the centerpiece of Cascades Park the following year, assuring that future generations would continue to take pride in the prominent landmark.

Cascade Falls

  • Opened: May 9, 1932
  • Size: 500 feet long, 64 feet high, 60 feet wide
  • Features: 16 falls (11 illuminated), six fountains, 1,230 electric colored lights, 2,000 gallon-per-minute water pump, 126 steps along each side, three 30 feet by 90 feet pools
  • Seats: 1,491 stadium seats, bench seating for 360 (special events capacity up to 3,000 total)
  • World Fame: Visitor logbooks include entries from 33 countries and all 50 states