A Sarnia resident praises the city’s beautiful park gardens but questions why the once-glorious fountain in Centennial Park has been allowed to fall into neglect.
I am writing to express my deep disappointment with the deteriorating condition of the fountain in Centennial Park.
This past summer, the park itself has never looked better in all the years I have lived here. A sincere hats off to the city's gardening department for the beautiful displays that provide a front-row seat to beauty, both there and at Germain Park.
Despite this, the fountain that was once an attraction has been allowed to decline, losing its sparkle and glory. I feel City Hall has a lot to answer for regarding its neglect. While I see occasional comments on Facebook, it seems few are raising this issue directly.
With the recent announcement of a new splash pad for Kenwick Place, I worry. Will it be built only to be neglected over the years, left to rot like the fountain? A splash pad will likely be maintained due to health regulations, but that doesn't excuse letting other public attractions fall into disrepair.
I can almost guarantee that if I sat at the fountain with a petition, many passersby would sign it, demanding the city "bring the spark back into our fountain." Yet, these same people may not take the time to contact the city with the same request.
Can we not take pride in our public spaces and properly maintain them for all to enjoy?
Sincerely,
Susan Topley, Sarnia
