43
Officials plan $500K renovation of Fellows garden fountain
Officials plan $500K renovation of garden landmark
Photo
LOOKING FORWARD: Linda Kostka, Mill Creek MetroParks marketing and development director, and Keith Kaiser, parks horticulture director, explain the Seasonal Celebration Plaza plans, which outline the renovation of the Sommer Fountain and surrounding area in Fellows Riverside Gardens. Kaiser said the fountain, built in 1977, was turned off in 2008 because of failing mechanics. The $500,000 construction project is slated to begin in April and should be completed by midsummer.
By ELISE FRANCO
Vindicator staff writer
Spring and summer brides, take notice: Mill Creek MetroParks employees hope to have a long-time fixture of Fellows Riverside Gardens up and running again by midsummer.
The Sommer Fountain was built in 1977 in the center of the Seasonal Celebration Plaza and operated until several years of mechanical problems forced its shutdown in 2008, said Keith Kaiser, MetroParks horticulture director.
Kaiser said since then, MetroParks staff has made renovating the fountain a top priority.
“This was an important one,” he said. “We knew it was declining, and it was time to step forward and make this a priority.”
The fountain was named for former MetroParks board member K. Calvin Sommer in 1979. Kaiser said Sommer was on the board from 1957 until just before he died in 1979.
Linda Kostka, marketing and development director, said the project will cost about $500,000. She said the MetroParks already has about $180,000 that was donated or set aside in the budget.
Kaiser said they plan to begin construction in April and hope to finish by July. He said the project evolved from a simple update of the fountain to include an improvement of the area surrounding the structure.
Kostka said during construction, some of the area will be closed at times, and she asks for understanding from those who visit.
“Unfortunately wedding season and construction season are the same,” she said. “We just ask for patience from visitors and brides in the gardens.”
The renovations will include new walkways from the fountain to the south terrace along the perennial garden and around the fountain, rebuilding of the miniature rose beds and installation of a new fountain basin and mechanical systems, Kaiser said.
Kostka said the $500,000 price tag includes the entire project, not just the fountain.
She said the MetroParks and Fellows Riverside Gardens Board of Trustees are working together to raise the rest of the money.
“We’re going to be doing a public funding campaign to raise money from the community,” Kostka said. “We just hope the community will want to help us restore this centerpiece.”
Kostka said not all of the money has to be collected by April though.
“We’ll let people pledge over a couple years or so,” she said. “We can get started as long as we know we can count on those pledges and donations.”
Kaiser said the MetroParks will accept donations in any amount, and the names of those who donate at least $500 will be included on a donor wall that will be built near the fountain outside the visitor’s center.
Kaiser said the new fountain was designed with a more shallow basin, allowing for less daily water use. He said in the long run it will actually save the MetroParks money. He said the new fountain will be better for the environment.
“It’ll be drained into the proper channels, into our stormwater drains,” he said.
The fountain was such an important priority for MetroParks’ staff because of what it means to those who visit the gardens, Kostka said.
“It truly became a centerpiece,” she said. “Brides want their pictures taken next to it, and it draws people out of the visitors center into the botanical world so they can see beyond the fountain.”
Rex Luckage, who has been a park ranger for eight years, said people constantly ask him when the fountain will be running again.
“They love taking pictures with the fountain in the background,” he said. “They love the fountain so much, and it’s been missed.”
Bob Thomas, a nine-year park ranger, said he hasn’t seen a significant decrease in foot traffic around the gardens, but he knows of people who come just to visit the fountain.
“People come here just to sit and relax,” he said.
Kostka said it’s common for visitors to head straight for the fountain while at the gardens.
“It’s a tradition that people just go in that direction,” she said. “To restore that tradition is very important to us.”
For more information on how to donate or pledge money to the Seasonal Celebration Plaza Plan, contact Keith Kaiser at (330) 740-7116.
efranco@vindy.com