Dogwood Park Fountain To Get Upgrades

The Dogwood Park Fountain will get an upgrade on its light system and water jet system.

Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said the department originally feared the repairs could cost up to $150,000. The City Council approved the $63,000 budgeted updates at their meeting Thursday.

After fixing the fountain’s operational issues from last year, Woods said these will be the final touches.

“We have to change some of the lighting anyway because of the repairs that we’re doing and the controls and the programming, so we’re looking at adding to that repair for the fountain a little more flexibility in our lighting,” Woods said. “We haven’t been able to change the lighting previously.”

Woods said that the current light system won’t change, but the upgrades will allow better control of an updated system, and that visitors can expect to see the updates soon.

The project will also replace all the controls for the 24 deck jets at the fountain.

“We will place the order as soon as we can, Friday morning I hope, and then we have to get materials in and get the company in to do the replacements,” Woods said. “We are aiming for Memorial Day–the official beginning of summer, so that when the really hot weather comes everything will be operating appropriately.”

The fountain was shut down last year after its computer system failed and several parts needed replacement. After its repairs, the fountain had limited opening during the pandemic. Woods said he’s looking forward to having it fully up and running again.