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Refreshing Fellows fountain
$500K overhaul begins for landmark in Mill Creek gardens
By Elise Franco
Youngstown
A complete overhaul of the 33-year-old fountain at Fellows Riverside Gardens has begun.
The Helen and K. Calvin 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, Mill Creek MetroParks horticulture director.
Kaiser said September is the second anniversary of the fountain’s shutdown.
He said the Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens, along with the MetroParks, spent the past year raising money for the $500,000 project.
Construction crews began demolition work Sept. 8.
“We have been making great progress with removal at this point, as far as the old fountain and walkways around it up to the south terrace,” he said.
Kaiser said weather permitting, construction of the new fountain and walkways around the fountain should be completed by November.
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.
He said the new fountain was designed with a more shallow basin, allowing for less daily water use, and will be engraved to reflect the overall Seasonal Celebration theme.
“The plaza words mean we’re celebrating the four seasons with this fountain,” Kaiser said. “Characteristics engraved into the fountain will be representative of the four seasons.”
He said in the long run it will actually save the MetroParks money and will be better for the environment.
Linda Kostka, MetroParks’ marketing and development director, said the next step is laying out the fountain’s basin and reconstructing the mechanics and pumps.
Kostka said about $400,000 has been raised through private donations, and they’re still looking for help with the remaining portion of the cost.
“We’re very excited that the project has finally gotten under way,” she said. “Without the community support it couldn’t have happened, because it’s mostly private money.”
Kostka said the area around the fountain and walkways are roped off and inaccessible to people for now, but the site will be cleared of rubble because of late summer and early fall weddings in the gardens.
Kaiser said those visiting during construction will be able to take alternative routes around the gardens.
“We know it’s an inconvenience to guests, and we we’ve been making alternative routes for them to walk,” he said. “We ask for their patience because we know that it’ll be a much-improved place here in the gardens when it’s done.”
Kaiser said the fountain revamp gave crews the opportunity to upgrade some of the gardens.
“It’s also exciting for us to recreate and upgrade the garden areas that surround these walkways,” he said. “The shade and perennial gardens are being replanted and upgraded.”
Kaiser said the best part about the renovation process will be the payoff when it’s turned on for the first time in more than two years.
“It will just be really exciting when it gets turned back on,” he said.