HENDERSON, Ky. - Two of Henderson's iconic and beloved landmarks, the Central Park Fountain and the Riverfront Water Feature,
are both show signs of aging and are in need of major repairs, the Board of Commissioners heard at their regular meeting
on June 22.
The Central Park Fountain is not presently running because of an internal leak. The Riverfront Water Feature is also
leaking underground, but operators are attempting to keep it going until the conclusion of the summer season so the public
can continue to enjoy it. However, it is possible that it will need to be shut down for the season before the normal time
in October so repairs can begin as soon as possible.
The plan for the fountain is for it to be completely dismantled and returned to the builder, Robinson Iron Corp., for
refurbishing and updating at a cost of $79,000. Once removed, the fountain is projected to be away from Central Park
for 8 to 12 weeks. The commission approved the expenditure.
The water feature will need to be excavated and the plumbing replaced at the end of the summer season. City staff will
be working on a detailed scope of work and bring it back for discussion at a near future commission meeting.
The maintenance of both water features is challenging because of exposure to weather extremes and the effects of
water treatment chemicals over time.
The Central Park Fountain is a replica of a Victorian-era fountain that was originally added to Central Park in the 1890s.
The 26-foot-tall replica was installed in 2003. The Riverfront Water Feature also was opened in 2003. Both water features are
frequently used in photographs and videos of the city.
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