Volunteers Help Clean Up Dearborn's Summer Stephens Pool

Dearborn residents donated their time and money to spruce up the city's Summer Stephens Pool on Sunday.

About 25 residents pulled weeds, planted flowers, made minor repairs and repainted park picnic tables. The effort was led by the Friends of the Summer Stephens Pool. 

"The annual pool clean-up event has been going on for a long time," coordinator Nancy Misovich said. "Families who use the pool bring their own materials or donate items to help get the pool ready for opening day."

Misovich said the city of Dearborn donated paint for park benches and picnic tables, and Panera Cares and McDonald's donated beverages and snacks for volunteers.

Silvio Davis, whose nieces and nephews frequent the park, pitched in to help with some of the landscaping around the pool.

"The pools are a great resource for our community. They separate Dearborn from other cities, and attract families to move here," he said. "It's all about the kids."

Davis, a member of the grassroots activist group, Save Our Small Pools, said he was devastated to hear that the city planned to close several of its pools in 2010.

"I think we've proven that the demand is there for our small pools," he said. "They are a safe environment for our kids, especially in today's society, when both parents are working."

Misovich agreed, stating that the city's pools were a major factor in her decision to remain in Dearborn.

"I could've moved anywhere, I but I stayed in the community because of our parks," she said. "It's not just about the pool, it's about community and teaching responsibility and independence to our youth. A lot of kids get summer jobs as lifeguards, or spend their summer at the pool reconnecting with classmates."

Misovich said Summer Stephens is one of the most heavily used pools in the city.

The Friends of Summer Stephens Pool will again host its popular "Floatie Nights" on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. beginning June 25. Registration is just $5, which gets families into Floatie Night for the pool all summer. In addition, the pool will host an eight-week water exercise class for $30 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:15 to 7 p.m. Dunworth Pool will also offer water aerobics classes from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Check out http://saveoursmallpools.blogspot.com for more floatie night and pool information, or call 313-943-2350.

Summer Stephens Pool officially opens for the season on June 15.