[Summit] Lippet Park Fountain

[Schmeling, Thomas A.]

Dear neighbors,

Here is the response that I got this evening from Parks Director Wendy Nilsson:

> From: Nilsson, Wendy
> Sent: Monday, September 07, 2015 10:26 AM
> To: Schmeling, Thomas A.
> Cc: Wojtanowski, Joseph; Byrnes, Brian
> Subject: RE: [Summit] Lippet Park Fountain
> 
> Hi Thomas,
> Sorry about that, we could have done a better job communicating the status of the Fountain. I received this update from our Director of Neighborhood Park Services, Joe Wojtanowski:
> 
>> The fountain is down because someone went into the fountain and pulled all of the caulking out of the joints.That caused the water to drain and we almost lost the pump as it was very hot due to running dry. We can look at sealing the joints again but if the caulking is pulled out again we could end up with some other expensive damage.  Alternatively, we can look at the fountain joints to see if we can use an alternative caulking that can not be pulled out. It's September now. We start turning the fountains off once the leaves begin to fall (they clog the pump) and or the weather starts to change.
> 
> Thomas, I know this fountain is very important to your community and we are grateful that you keep such a close eye on it. It may have been children playing in the fountain that caused this damage by pulling on the caulk. The Fountain is not safe for children to play in for many reasons and we should work together to get the word out that the fountain is not a waterpark. We will be assessing the fountain this week and will communicate with you before we determine the best option: short term solution of replacing the caulk and getting the fountain running for the next few weeks or; longer term solution that would have the fountain off-line for the season and then re-open in the spring. Please call me if you have any questions or concerns. Best, Wendy 261-0245


> On Sep 7, 2015, at 8:17 PM, Martha Fraenkel <mfraenkel at gmail.com> wrote:
> At all the fountains in Charleston, SC, there are posted rules.  But unlike our threatening rules, theirs run like this:  Welcome and enjoy the fountain!  please:  do not enter this fountain if you are ill.  No running or boisterous play. No animals or pets in the fountain.  No persons in the fountain under the influence.  No solo wading.  
> 
> I think it's great to stop trying to keep people out when everyone knows that a fountain on a hot day is irresistible.  
>