County parks staff say reservations strong for Forest Hall
Jillian Opalach and son, Leo, visited the Mill Race Water Park last weekend. The water park recently opened after having been closed since Labor Day 2019.
DRYDEN TWP. — The Mill Race Water Park and General Squier Memorial Park of Dryden have officially opened their doors for their summer season. After being closed since Labor Day of 2019, Lapeer County Parks is thrilled to see families enjoying the splash pad, water slides, pools and Forest Hall once again. Lapeer County Parks, which includes Torzewski County Park, General Squier Memorial Park and The Mill Race Water Park were deeply affected by the COVID-19 regulations that were in place during the summer of 2020.
Julie Springsteen of Lapeer County Parks explained that their team was not able to open either water parks or facilities during their summer season which typically runs from mid June to Labor Day weekend. Springsteen was happy to share that The Mill Race Water Park is now open Friday through Monday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Springsteen along with others who work for Lapeer County Parks are hopeful that by further staffing the park with lifeguards and pool aids they will open up Tuesday through Thursday as well. Aside from feeling refreshed at the water park, Forest Hall and the outdoor pavilions are available from May through September to rent together or separately for family gatherings, bridal showers, graduations parties and more.
McKena Wood of Royal Oak, formerly of Dryden, recently held her bridal shower at Forest Hall.
“It brought a hometown feeling to a special day with family and friends,” Wood said. Springsteen says Forest Hall is booked out nearly every Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer and they are beginning to fill up for September.
“It’s a hot commodity,” Springsteen said.
While Forest Hall is quite old, Springsteen says, “it’s a gem,” and there are plans to fix the roof and to add heating and cooling. With the busy schedule, Forest Hall will certainly stay open until the fall season and the Mill Race Water Park has every intention to keep their doors open until Labor Day weekend, but this decision is currently dependent on their staffing needs. The Mill Race Water Park is hiring both lifeguards and pool aids and more information can be found on their Facebook page ‘Lapeer County Parks.’
