Dogwood Park Fountain Likely Closed for Fall

The computer controlling Dogwood Park’s interactive fountain has been fried.

Cookeville Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said a specialist has assessed the damages, and multiple parts will need to be replaced. Woods said parts still have to be ordered and installed, but there is a glimmer of hope it could open before next year.

“We’ll have to wait and see what the weather is like at that time,” Woods said. “If it’s a few days after October and the weather is still good we may turn it on again, just don’t know yet.”

Before parts can be ordered, Woods said the price tag has to be calculated, since updated technology could be available.

“They have to go back and look at what things cost currently,” Woods said. “What technology is there and updated and changed from when it was first designed and built back about 2010.”

Since this is an interactive fountain, it relies on computerization. Woods said the computer controls multiple functions.

“The computer that tells which valves to open when and all of those kinds of things and makes the interactive part of the fountain work turns it on turns in off, and also controls the input of chemicals,” Woods said. “That is no longer working and no longer operable.”

The interactive fountain usually closes at Halloween. The fountain also has to go through its winterization process.