City fountains leave trail users high and dry

Several of the water fountains along the riverfront trail are leaving users thirsty.

At least three of the six drinking fountains are out of service along the five-kilometre stretch of trail. Three decorative fountains in Odette Sculpture Park are also dry.

John Miceli, the city’s executive director of parks and facilities, said he is aware of the problems. Just when he was made aware of the issues isn’t clear.

"We’re looking into all of them," Miceli said.

Miceli said one fountain has been waiting for parts for some time. Another is out of service due to water main repairs. Two at Festival Plaza were recently vandalized. Miceli the two at the plaza were working for Beaverfest on June 3 but he isn't sure when they stopped.

"We do have daily service logs. We’ll have to further investigate that issue," Miceli said.

Miceli said he only became aware of malfunctioning fountain at Centennial Park when CBC Windsor contacted him Wednesday. By day’s end, it was fixed and working.

Fountains dry for 'three months'

Several users on the trail Wednesday told CBC Windsor that a number of fountains haven’t been working at all this summer. Rick Lafontaine rides his bike on the trail every day. He said a number of fountains have been out of service "for two or three months."

"You have to rely on your own bottled water. There should be no reason for that. They were put there for a reason, for the public to use," Lafontaine said. "Someone should turn them on. We’re in a heat wave. People have to stay hydrated."

Miceli said staff is to do daily cleaning and checks of the fountains. Staff is to notify the department of any problems immediately.

Megan Andrews, 12, bikes the trail about once a week with her brother.

"My brother brings a water bottle but usually it’s not enough. He’s always in front of me and I can never catch up to him. So I’d like to stop but they never work," she said. "It’s hot. There’s there fountain. But it’s kind of mocking me."

Miceli said the lack of water isn’t a health and safety issue, at all.

"With our own staff, we provide them with drinking water and with all the amenities they need to conduct their job," Miceli said.

The same can’t be said about the general public.

'Bring water'

"People know they should be bringing water along with them if they’re going to walk along the waterfront.  It’s a good preventative measure," Miceli said.

Miceli said the public has a responsibility to report problems at parks.

"When people vandalize our fountains, they’re jeopardizing the public," Miceli said. "We need everyone to take responsibility, not only our parks department.

"If you have something that’s not working in your parks system, please contact 311."