It's hopeless.
That's the word from city officials on the Laurel Clark fountain that was a major Downtown attraction, but is now an elaborate decoration that's off limits to kids. The city is blaming chlorine and a new a state law for shutting down the mega-splash pads. I'm wondering if it's a lack of imagination.
The JT laid out two suggestions in a recent editorial: 1.) Change the state law; and 2.) Ignore enforcement. Those are both good ideas. Here are nine more ways to save the fountain:
3.) Fundraiser - Money was donated to build a fountain to honor Racine's astronaut. Money would be donated to make the needed adjustments to preserve its intended use. One of the most touching moments I've seen in the last 10 years was Clark's husband pulling their son into the fountain at its dedication ceremony. This is one of the best attractions the city has built for children in years. People around the country, even the world, would donate to keep it open to children.
4.) Sell Naming Rights - The fountain was built in Clark's honor, and it's possible a large corporation or private donor would come forward to sponsor the attraction. It could be done tastefully - and effectively.
5.) Charge - If the city needs a lifeguard for the fountain, then follow the zoo's lead and charge a small admission fee. Parents would pay $1 to let their kids splash in the fountain for an hour, and the money would help defray costs.
6.) Talk to Mick Wynhoff - The owner of Pacific Sands says he can use natural ingredients to treat the water without the corrosive effects of chlorine. If successful, it'd be a way to help a local company and save the fountain.
7.) Pepsi Challenge Grant - Kim Wendt and Mitchell Middle School raised $50,000 to rebuild science classrooms with a couple of months of intense effort. Pepsi has a $250,000 category and Racine has a great story about a kids' fountain built for a fallen astronaut to tell. We could do it.
8.) Volunteers - Just find volunteers to do the work and donate the materials. It's a community fountain, so find a community to save it.
9.) BID board - Downtown businesses pay a lot of money into a "business improvement district." Downtown businesses could lead efforts to raise the money needed to save the fountain.
10.) Just pay it - Put the money in the city budget and fix the fountain. When I first moved to Racine the city let the ice rink at Festival Hall fall away. It'd be a shame to see the fountain go the same route.
That said, if nothing else works ...
11.) Shut it down - If the city isn't going to save the fountain, just shut it down. It's a waste of water to run the fountain and keep it off limits to children. Better to leave what was than move forward with whatever is there now.
Maybe one of these works. Maybe a combination works. I just know I've seen Racine do some remarkable things over the last decade. Let's find a way to do one more.
Bravo! Bravo! At least somebody is coming up some ideas to save this fountain! I'd hate this all go to waste. C'mon the people of city of Racine! Are we up for this challenge? We should be! As the wise words of Carlos Santana said-"Let the children play" Children should indeed play...
ReplyDelete"One of the most touching moments I've seen in the last 10 years was Clark's husband pulling their son into the fountain at its dedication ceremony."
ReplyDeleteMe, too. The community just needs to go ahead and fix this. Otherwise, we're failing to fully honor the hero for whom it's named.
... that little boy lost a lot of joy in his life. There's no way to replace that. But bringing back a small amount of joy into the lives of other little boys and girls would be a fitting thing.
ReplyDeleteGood ideas Dustin!
ReplyDeleteWhat would be the cost to make this "acceptable" for children to use in the eyes of the City? If the 250k grant would cover it, doesn't the city employ a GRANT WRITER???!!! I mean we as a community would probably do a better job of writing it but its a thought... Its sad; a ton of kids used to play in this thing in the summer. White, black, hispanic, etc. I would think the City would encourage the diverse crowd of children it brings. Its just a sad story all around... Keep the hope that it will get resolved!
ReplyDelete12 seek a State exemption from their rule as a grand father clause and due to it being a monument to a national hero. Even the folks in Madison should be able to sort this out to a positive result.
ReplyDeleteThese are all great ideas, please let's hope someone in the city listens to them. I for one would donate my time, and my Pubs to help host fundraisers to let the kids enjoy themselves.
ReplyDeleteGet NASA involved. The fountain should be federally funded and 10 times bigger.
ReplyDeleteLet's Git-R-Done.
It's stupid, If you wanna splash around go 100 yards away, TO LAKE MICHIGAN!!! Besides, what happens if a kid slips and falls and busts his head open? Who pays?........it was never intended to be a pool....
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ReplyDeleteThe fountain was not built to honor Laurel Clark it was already there for a few years and built not with donations it was built with taxpayer dollars.
ReplyDeleteDonations were raised to turn it into the interactive memorial fountain that it is now adding features like the sundial and plaque. I bet if the folks that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and spent years fighting with the city to get it done knew ahead of time that the city would close it to kids they would have spent the money elsewhere.
Maybe public works could operate it for lees than the parks department???
"2.) Ignore enforcement. Those are both good ideas."
ReplyDeleteIgnoring state law is a good idea? Really? Sound like a good way to the city to b***h-slapped by state regulators.
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"Talk to Mick Wynhoff - The owner of Pacific Sands says he can use natural ingredients to treat the water without the chorosive effects of chlorine."
That sounds great...but would is comply with state law in this case?
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"If the city needs a lifeguard for the fountain, then follow the zoo's lead and charge a small admission fee. "
I doubt this would raise enough money to come anywhere close to defraying the costs.
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"Fundraiser"
You volunteering to do this? More power to you if you are.
A good idea that the City can get behind. Of Course I think the REAL reason nothing will happen is that lots of the kids who play there are the wrong color and social class only the Rich White for Downtown Racine
ReplyDeleteGood Ideas, I like 8 and 9. I less the city government has to do with it the better. Hers another idea that may make everyone happier. Just build another cooling fountain designed specifically for that purpose. Make the deck out of recycled tires for safety and hire a life guard. We had the money for recycling bins with monitoring micro chips in them. Why not some money for something that isn't for the benifit of BIG FAT GOVERNMENT.
ReplyDeleteGreat Ideas - Is there someone out there that would lead these efforts?
ReplyDeleteThank You Post!
Mick Wynhoff grew up in Racine has contacts both with Business and local government. A great guy, Mick do a great job!
ReplyDeleteGO SPLASH IN LAKE MICHIGAN!
ReplyDeleteI really want to see the fountain saved. The teacher at Michell school was creative about getting the money for her vision. We need to keep looking for ways to keep it open.
ReplyDeleteYou can purify drinking water with copper plates, it could run on solar. One more option that could be looked into.
12. Put dye in the water so parents won't let their kids run though it... at least not twice.
ReplyDeleteCheap, effective and nice to look at.
Oh my, there must be something that we can do for the kiddies. If Racine pulls together on this and fixes the fountain for children, I predict blue skies ahead. If not, prepare for more stormy weather.
ReplyDeleteRAMAC had excess funds after construction was done, what happened to them? Hopefully, Roger or the new Roger can clarify.
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ReplyDeletenobody cares about the fountain.
ReplyDeleteit was just a publicity stunt anyways
I'd listen to Mme. Zoltar if I was you...
ReplyDeleteDustin: Did you think to use spell check for the word (spelled correctly) corrosive? I found no such word "chorosive".
ReplyDeleteThanks, got the typo fixed!
ReplyDeleteIt is a fountain and not a water park! Paris, Rome, Chicago, and New York are other cities that have fountains, maybe you have heard of them
ReplyDelete?
Are there still people who are confused about the type of fountain this is? This is absolutely a splash pad. A splash pad is a fountain that you play in and is interactive. you may have wanted a watching fountain with dye in it, but you got a splash pad/water park. Absolutely.
ReplyDeleteI would be happy to serve on a committee to help figure this out. Who is with me?
ReplyDelete"Never doubt that a small group of thoughful people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has" Margaret Mead
That is a good idea, lets start with a group who will look for solutions. I would set a public meeting somewhere like the library and invite people who want to save the fountain.
ReplyDeleteThe fountain is not even on the radar of big or small issues facing Racine. It would be great if people could get this excited about other issues. I think it is good that you guys are trying to keep the fountain open though.
ReplyDelete