Splash pad reopens, as final shooting victim returns home

ROCHESTER HILLS — Nearly three weeks after a gunman opened fire, injuring nine people, the Brooklands Splash Pad has reopened.

“It was a difficult decision, because it’s a decision that you know as soon as you make, not everyone is going to agree with it,” Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said.

A shooter opened fire at the splash pad the evening of June 15, firing 36 rounds and injuring nine people from the ages of 4 to 78 before fleeing the scene. Shortly after, deputies said, the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Michael William Nash, was found dead in his Shelby Township mobile home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

At press time, all nine victims had returned home from the hospital. A 39-year-old Rochester Hills mother – the last of the victims injured in the shooting at the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad — returned home from the hospital July 5, three weeks after she was seriously injured while trying to protect her children from the gunman.

“While we are incredibly pleased all shooting victims have been released from the hospital, we know there is a long road ahead on both the physical and psychological healing,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement. “Our support will remain with the victims, and we will continue to look for any information that gives insight into the motive of the shooter.”

The decision to finally take down the fence surrounding the splash pad wasn’t an easy one for Barnett.

“Every time you drive by that splash pad and the fence is up, you’re reminded of something bad that happened there,” he said. “We want to remind people of what the good is and that positive things are going to happen there from this point forward. We wanted to turn the page on that.”

The second the fence came down July 3, Barnett said, there were already families back playing in the water features.

“Really every family has to make an independent decision on when they feel comfortable coming back, but there were kids playing on the splash pad 30 minutes after the fence was taken down, and they’ve been there every day since,” he added.

Those who are ready to visit may notice a few changes.

“If you go visit the splash pad now, there’s some physical changes — a lot of the areas were repainted, colors were changed, stripings were added — so there’s a different look and feel to the splash pad. We didn’t change any of the infrastructure but, obviously, the color changes are significant,” Barnett explained.

New signage is also on display at just about every corner directing people to where they can get mental health assistance — free services that are available at the city, county and national levels. People struggling can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 — formally known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Those who may need help supporting a loved one through a difficult time can also call or text 988. For more information about mental health care resources and support, the National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine can be reached 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Eastern Time Mondays-Fridays at (800) 950-6264 or info@nami.org.

The splash pad is now open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. seven days a week through Sept. 30, weather permitting. The city said there will be an increased police presence in the area.

The city is also hosting a night of connection, support and community, called the Brooklands Strong event, 6-9 p.m July 24 in the Auburn Road corridor. Community members are invited to create memories with their neighbors and enjoy inflatables, tie-dying, DJ entertainment, food trucks and more. To begin the event, the Art on Auburn 2 winners will be unveiled at Brooklands Plaza and will be celebrated with a night of activities.

Later this year, the city has plans to renovate the grassy area next to the splash pad into a larger park parcel, with trees, many places to sit and gather, and more.

“The whole area is going to look different by the fall,” Barnett said.

To donate to affected families, visit rochesterhills.org/rhstrong.