Save the Heart of Forest Hills Park – Your Community, Your Legacy

Imagine summer without the laughter of children splashing in cool water, the cheers from the diving board, or the simple joy of neighbors gathering poolside under the sun. The Forest Hills Park Pool isn’t just a place to swim—it’s the heart of our 15-acre park, a space where memories are made, friendships are formed, and traditions are passed from one generation to the next.

Nestled in the Greenbrier neighborhood of Grand Rapids, this Olympic-sized outdoor pool, complete with a diving well and children’s wading pool, has been a cherished community asset for decades. But time has caught up with us. The pool has exceeded its lifespan, and a structural failure beyond repair is imminent. Without substantial intervention, the pool—and the vibrant, connected community it fosters—will be lost.

The ripple effect goes beyond the water. The pool supports the vitality of Forest Hills Park itself, anchoring activities that draw people together and breathe life into every corner of this precious green space. Without it, the park loses a part of its heartbeat.

That’s why the Friends of Forest Hills Park Association, an established 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, is leading the charge to save it. Driven by passionate volunteers and dedicated community members like you, we’ve already made incredible progress. Our fundraising total is rising—but we’re not there yet.

This isn’t just about saving a pool. It’s about preserving the heart of our park, our neighborhood, and the memories we’ve yet to create. Be part of the story. Donate today. Help us ensure that Forest Hills Park remains a place where joy lives on, one splash at a time.

"The pool was, and is, the hub of the neighborhood. Always full of friends, family and positivity. To think of it possibly not being there for future generations is just not an option." 

- Steve Evert, former resident and pool member

With that, the work begins NOW to bolster the support for our project, most importantly to people no longer active at the pool. Why? Because financial support among pool members alone is not going to be enough to fund this project. Former residents & former pool members will be critical. Foundation officials will also request grants and funding from local philanthropists and foundations. 

Why the Time is Now.

This discussion has been ongoing for many years with many generations of Board Members. Now, we have a 501(c)(3) non-profit designation. We have momentum from activating the park and record pool membership. We have a plan. We have urgency.

From 2017-2022 there has been over $50,000 in pool repair costs. Fortunately, these are costs for items that will be re-usable in a new pool. Unfortunately, they are also evidence of the pool and mechanical systems' age.

When you walk onto the pool deck on opening day, you may not see the wear-and-tear of the pool. This is because countless hours of work by our Pool Manager and volunteers goes in to making the pool operate and look as good as it can each season. However, these are not long term fixes. Cracks re-appear. Settling from leaking water continues to occur. Gutters continue to crumble.

The photos above are just a few examples. We invite you to come see the state of the pool during work days in the spring. You'll see firsthand why we have urgency.

The Forest Hills Park Association pool has not only been a place for community, fun, and lasting memories for generations, but it directly effects the value of every home in this neighborhood. Whether you're a new or long-time resident, the pool and park was probably one of the biggest reasons you decided to move to this neighborhood. Even if your children are grown and you may not use the pool how you did before, it most likely played a huge role in your family's life.

Just as the original owners of this Plat came together to fund and create this wonderful pool, we now have an opportunity to leave our own legacy and create something for generations to come.