Children Rally To Save Detroit Water Park

DETROIT (WWJ) - Dozens of children and adults gathered at a rally on Tuesday afternoon, aiming to keep open the Chandler Park Family Aquatic Center on Detroit's east side.

Some of Metro Detroit's youngest citizens learned first hand how taking a stand may make a real difference in keeping the popular local water park from closing.

Nine-year-old Allanah Clark explained why she joined them at the gathering. "I wanted to make a difference," said Clark.

There were many kids at the park like Angelina Dunlap, 9, who said this park means a lot to them.

"It's our favorite park and we don't want to close it," said Dunlap.  "We need to have water when it's summertime so we won't be hot at home, just sitting there under the fan."

Many of those who attended enchanted and waved signs after learning from a county official that the park will stay open for the rest of the season, after all.

Destiny Jones, 13, came from Grosse Pointe also to make a difference.

"I came because I do come here with my cousins because they do live around here," said Jones. "My mom has been here, my dad, my grandmother, everybody has been here.  They took me here and I loved it.  So I want to support it."

A county executive said Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano described it as premature to talk about the park closing, calling it merely a proposal.

It's the only water park within the city.