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The fountain at Cookeville’s Dogwood Park will be closed for several weeks as it undergoes repairs to fix nagging leakage.
Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said while the department has yet to identify what exactly the damage is, they know it began leaking last year. He said water is coming from the fountain’s central column, which it is not designed to do.
“We got through last season with the fountain running throughout the season, but we knew we had to look at it as soon as the weather broke,” Woods said. “We would have to actually get into it and see if we can find the exact problems where the leaks are coming from.”
Woods said the department will have to remove the central column and the bowl on top of it, fix the leak, and rebuild the column. He said the fountain has been a staple in the park since 2010 and given that it is the only interactive water fountain in the area, he hopes to have the problem addressed soon.
“Certainly, it is something that is an integral part, at this point, of Dogwood Park,” Woods said. “And something that the public expects to see. It is iconic in a way. It is the symbol that’s utilized for Dogwood Park. When you see images of Dogwood Park, it’s usually pictures of the fountain, so it’s important for us to maintain that and keep that operational.”
He said the fountain has functioned well since it was erected, aside from a few minor maintenance challenges. He said the fountain’s controls had to be replaced several years ago, but this will be the first thorough repair work conducted since it was built. He said the focal point of the project right now is identifying the exact location of the leak so that repairs can begin.
“People come to, not just see and enjoy the fountain, but play in the fountain,” Woods said. “Particularly kids in the summertime when it’s hot, enjoy being there and playing in the fountain and we hope that will continue this summer once we get the fountain repaired and up and running again.”
He said Dogwood Park is a green oasis right in the heart of downtown Cookeville, and he looks forward to restoring the fountain to its role as the park’s centerpiece.
