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The Cascades is a manmade waterfall attraction in Sparks Foundation County Park,
The original "Save the Cascades" movement was in 1969-1970 after the falls had fallen into disrepair and vandalism. The falls amphitheater was built and the grounds enclosed to protect the falls from vandalism. The "Cascades Rebirth" was in 1982–1983. New computerized lighting systems and new sound systems were installed. The next Cascades project was in 1992–1993. Extensive concrete repairs were done, new walkways added, and a new filtered and chlorinated well water system installed. In 2012, Spicer Group performed an inspection of the falls and developed a capital improvement plan. In May of 2013, the 1,230 incandescent bulbs in the falls were replaced with 90 LED rope lights. In addition, a new computer system for music and light choreography was put in place. It replaces the outdated system that required
Jackson, Michigan
Jackson is a city in Jackson County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. The population was 31,309 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Located along Interstate 94 in Michigan, Interstate 94 and U.S. Route 127 in Michigan, U.S ...
. 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
Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May.
It i ...
, Independence Day
An independence day is an annual event memorialization, commemorating the anniversary of a nation's independence or Sovereign state, statehood, usually after ceasing to be a group or part of another nation or state, or after the end of a milit ...
, and Labor Day
Labor Day is a Federal holidays in the United States, federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday of September to honor and recognize the Labor history of the United States, American labor movement and the works and con ...
, fireworks displays are presented at the Cascade Falls. Since its creation in 1932, millions of people have enjoyed the beauty of the Cascades.
Features
The falls have six fountains, three reflecting pools, each by and 16 falls, 11 of which are illuminated. These illuminated falls are accompanied by a variety of music. It is long, wide and 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 per minute water pump that filters, chlorinates, and recycles the water.Jackson County Michigan. (n.d.). ''The Cascades''. https://www.mijackson.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/The-Cascades-County-Parks-27 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. 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.Jackson County Parks. (n.d.). ''The Cascades (also known as Cascade Falls)''. CivicPlus. https://www.co.jackson.mi.us/1298/The-CascadesHistory
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
The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc (, ) is a fountain located at the head of Avinguda Maria Cristina in the Montjuïc neighborhood of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The fountain is situated below the Palau Nacional on the Montjuïc mountain and nea ...
in Barcelona, Spain served as Sparks’ inspiration for the Cascade Falls.Lewis, K. (2022). ''Cascades electrical upgrades''. Jackson County Parks Department. go.boarddocs.com/mi/jackson/Board.nsf/files/CM3LAY55202B/$file/SR_GG_Cascades%20Electrical_12%202022.pdf 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.
Renovations
The original "Save the Cascades" movement was in 1969-1970 after the falls had fallen into disrepair and vandalism. The falls amphitheater was built and the grounds enclosed to protect the falls from vandalism. The "Cascades Rebirth" was in 1982–1983. New computerized lighting systems and new sound systems were installed. The next Cascades project was in 1992–1993. Extensive concrete repairs were done, new walkways added, and a new filtered and chlorinated well water system installed. In 2012, Spicer Group performed an inspection of the falls and developed a capital improvement plan. In May of 2013, the 1,230 incandescent bulbs in the falls were replaced with 90 LED rope lights. In addition, a new computer system for music and light choreography was put in place. It replaces the outdated system that required cassette tapes
Cassette, also known as cassette tape, refers to a small plastic unit containing a length of magnetic tape on two reels. The design was created to replicate the way a reel-to-reel machine works with tape moving from one reel to another while bein ...
to change the lights and music.
Demolition of the 150-foot concrete wall surrounding the falls began in December of 2014. Build in 1970, the concrete wall was replaced with an archway and fence that allow for greater visibility of the falls.
In June of 2017, Cascades opened their brand new Splash Pad, which was responsible for 40% of the Cascades' visitors in 2017.
In 2018, a parks millage was passed in Jackson County that raised $500,000 to support improvement projects for the falls. All of the original fountain pumps and motors were replaced in 2019, along with the Falls building roof.Jackson County Parks. (n.d.). ''Revitalizing the Cascades''. CivicPlus. https://www.co.jackson.mi.us/3139/Revitalizing-The-Cascades
In 2020, the primary electrical system was replaced, and the secondary electrical panels were upgraded in 2023.
The falls received a $1 million anonymous donation to support repairs of the falls in April of 2024.
Fox47News brought attention to the crumbling state of the Cascade Falls in a September 2024 broadcast, which revealed cracking concrete and outdated pumps that spurred further media attention.Udrys, D. (23 September 2024). ''A Jackson icon is crumbling''. Fox47News. https://www.fox47news.com/neighborhoods/jackson-hillsdale/a-jackson-icon-is-crumbling In 2024, LED lights were replaced, along with controls, electrical wiring, and the falls' computer. As of 2025, Cascades are accepting donations to revitalize the falls with a new pump room and the replacement of crumbling concrete.
See also
*Grand Haven Musical Fountain
The Grand Haven Musical Fountain is a synchronized display of water and lights in Grand Haven, Michigan located on Dewey Hill on the north shore of the Grand River. Each 25 to 30 minute show runs nightly at dark from Memorial Day through Labor D ...
*
References
Clow, S. (25 September 2024). ''Jackson's Cascades Falls: A century of history, now in peril''. 99.1 WFMK. https://99wfmk.com/revitalizing-cascades-falls-jackson-michigan/ DesOrmeau, T. (21 November 2017). ''Cascades splash pad sees nearly 15,000 entries in first season''. MLive. https://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/2017/11/cascades_splash_pad_sees_nearl.html Forgrave, W. (20 June 2025). ''Cascades to have new LED lights, computer system installed this week; relighting set for Saturday''. MLive. https://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/2013/05/cascades_to_have_new_led_light.html Forgrave, W. (15 December 2014). ''Cascades wall demolition begins, represents first of six-phase project to restore landmark''. MLive. https://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/2014/12/cascades_wall_demolition_begin.html Jackson County Michigan. (n.d.). ''The Cascades''. https://www.mijackson.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/The-Cascades-County-Parks-27 Jackson County Parks. (n.d.). ''The Cascades (also known as Cascade Falls)''. CivicPlus. https://www.co.jackson.mi.us/1298/The-Cascades Jackson County Parks. (n.d.). ''Revitalizing the Cascades''. CivicPlus. https://www.co.jackson.mi.us/3139/Revitalizing-The-Cascades Jackson County Parks. (n.d.). ''Splash pad''. CivicPlus. https://www.co.jackson.mi.us/1336/Splash-Pad Kent, J. (25 April 2024). ''Jackson's Cascade Falls receives anonymous $1 million donation for renovations''. WILX10. https://www.wilx.com/2024/04/25/jacksons-cascade-falls-receives-anonymous-1-million-donation-renovations/ Kukulka, M. (8 July 2024). ''Jackson's Cascades Falls $145K renovation moving forward''. MLive. https://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/2024/07/jacksons-cascades-falls-145k-renovation-moving-forward.html Lewis, K. (2022). ''Cascades electrical upgrades''. Jackson County Parks Department. go.boarddocs.com/mi/jackson/Board.nsf/files/CM3LAY55202B/$file/SR_GG_Cascades%20Electrical_12%202022.pdf Udrys, D. (23 September 2024). ''A Jackson icon is crumbling''. Fox47News. https://www.fox47news.com/neighborhoods/jackson-hillsdale/a-jackson-icon-is-crumbling {{Coord, 42.22952, -84.43375, type:landmark_region:US-MI, display=title Buildings and structures completed in 1932 Buildings and structures in Jackson County, Michigan Waterfalls of Michigan Tourist attractions in Jackson County, Michigan Landforms of Jackson County, Michigan Artificial landforms 1932 establishments in Michigan