Showers this morning becoming a steady rain during the afternoon hours. High 52F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..
Tonight
A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 46F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.
It is with surreptitious pleasure that I visit our recently completed Lewis & Clark Park here in The Dalles.
It is a wonderful place for locals to gather, bring their dogs for a short walk and to utilize as a starting point for other recreational outings.
As a near-daily user of the park, I am gratified to see that travelers passing through the area are able to partake in the conveniences of the park and have a nice location to rest and relax.
I also appreciate the efforts that the local city crews have made in installing a rock mortared fountain.
However it is apparent based on the time that has been spent on building the fountain, and the issue that the fountain is currently not operating, that the planning of a fountain was likely not well thought out (ie: engineered).
During its construction, there was a modest amount of “head-scratching” by the installation personnel that need not have occurred if proper planning/engineering had been made.
I must admit that I am a bit unsure of the fountain’s usefulness.
It is somewhat visually appealing, but the spray painted signage on the sidewalk in front of the fountain warning us to keep away from the fountain is a bit contradictory to the spirit of a fountain.
On a nice, hot summer day in the park, it is regretfully unpleasant to be retained at a distance from cool, cascading water... albeit recirculated algae entrained water.
Perhaps a better idea would have been to install a fountain that projected spray upward through jets or nozzles in grating (similar to other fountain designs in Portland and other areas) that kids and adventurous adults could dance around in allowing them to really enjoy the experience of the park?
After all, doesn’t the Columbia River Gorge already have numerous cascading waterfalls that are slightly more appealing than a rock fountain?
Even if the city would have decided to leave the grassy area alone where the fountain now resides, that section would have been more utilized and perhaps appreciated more than it is now (I have only seen one other person ever walk over and look at the fountain – and that person stepped past the painted-on signage and into the “forbidden” ring to dip their hand in the water).
So what now should we consider of our Fountain of Discontent…
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