Fairfield Property Committee hears debate on location of proposed fountain

FAIRFIELD – The Fairfield City Council’s Property Committee heard feedback from city staff about a proposal to install a water fountain in Central Park.

Fairfield Beautification Commission Chair Deborah Williamson told the property committee members at their Nov. 13 meeting that donors Chuck and Jan Espy are willing to pay for the materials and installation of a concrete fountain in a city park. Commission members suggested placing the fountain, which would hold 350 gallons and be smaller than fountains in neighboring Washington and Mt. Pleasant, in the southeast corner of Central Park. Williamson explained that this spot was chosen because it gets the least use from vendors during downtown events.

The property committee members present, Doug Flournoy and Paul Gandy (Elizabeth Estey was absent), asked for input from city staff about the idea of placing the fountain in the southeast corner of Central Park. Fairfield City Engineer and Public Works Director Melanie Carlson did not think it was a good idea. She said the maintenance costs and hassle of a Central Park fountain might be worth it in those neighboring towns where the fountain is the centerpiece of their park, but the centerpiece of Fairfield’s Central Park is the Ron Prill Bandstand, and she wants to keep it that way.

“Wearing my public works hat, all I see are negatives,” Carlson said. “Why install a half-size fountain in a corner of a park when there are big ones 30 minutes away?”

Employees of the Fairfield Parks & Recreation Department including Director Calvin Todd, Parks Superintendent Pam Craff, and Brad Houk, all expressed skepticism of a fountain in Central Park. Houk warned there wouldn’t be enough room in between the underground water lines, and suggested putting the fountain in Petra Park. Williamson said commissioners had already approached Alex Stanley, creator of the park, about that idea and got a “no.” She said they had also inquired about putting a fountain outside the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center and learned that wasn’t possible, either.

The Beautification Commission plans to perform maintenance on the fountain, specifically through a subcommittee called the Beautification Water Brigade, who will fill, clean and winterize it. Craff said the city should not assume volunteers will maintain the fountain in perpetuity.

“I’ve been here 40-plus years, and things that start as volunteer projects will come back to the parks department,” she said.

Todd suggested installing the fountain behind the large Fairfield sign in the Heritage Courtyard at the corner of West Burlington Avenue and Second Street, near the public restroom that’s no longer open.

“I think putting it in Central Park looks weird, but I could see a fountain there,” Todd said, referring to the Second Street intersection.

Houk chimed in that there is a water line running near the courtyard, so it could accommodate a fountain. Williamson said she was open to moving the fountain there.

Craff said another good spot for a fountain would be the rose garden at the entrance to Chautauqua Park, since it’s a nice grassy patch with no trees overhead and thus would not require as much leaf cleaning.

The committee members agreed to bring this issue up at the next council meeting and present the idea of installing the fountain at West Burlington Avenue and Second Street.

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Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com

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