Greene Square splash pad closed for repairs

CEDAR RAPIDS - Orange and white blockades surround the new splash fountain in Greene Square where for the past few weeks children have soaked off under the hot summer sun and LED lights have illuminated the water creating a dazzling nighttime scene.

The water is off and the ground surrounding the pad is ripped up with green fencing blocking off the area.

'It seems to be one of the main features people go to the park to enjoy,” said Sven Leff, city parks and recreation director. 'It has been so popular, though, that the ground around the splash pad became saturated and sloppy.”

The fountain is closed temporarily while city crews install a drainage system to divert the water and protect the turf, Leff said. This comes only a few weeks after the fountain and the city's oldest green space were re-dedicated, on May 20, after an 11-month, $1.9 million makeover.

The splash area was closed on Monday and the $2,500 project should be complete by Thursday, Leff said. The fountain splash pad should be reopened by this weekend when temperatures are forecast to hit 95 degrees.

The splash pad fountain sits in the center of the park, which is bookended by the Cedar Rapids Public Library and Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.

Children can push a button to trigger the water display and a 10-minute timer, after which the water valve automatically shuts off. However, at many times, a constant stream of kids line up to use the feature and thus the water flows constantly, Leff said.

'When the fountain was designed you are making a guess of how many gallons of water it will use and how much saturation you will have,” Leff said.

Maintenance staff noticed the ground around the pad edges was seeing standing water and the grass was turning to mud, prompting the fix, Leff said. He said he sees the issue as a good one to have because it means the park and the fountain are getting lots of use.

'It's born out of a good use,” Leff said. 'But, we are trying to keep it looking nice.”