The combination of the winter season and overspray from the fountain has taken a toll on some of the landscaping at Friendship Park on the Southbank.
Plant beds and even some of the trees on the west side of the park have turned brown at a time when there should be new green growth, said landscape architect Chris Flagg, who helped design the renovated park.
The City Council approved in February 2010 an appropriation of $3,166,000 for the renovation of the park and repair of the fountain. The redesigned park opened to the public in June.
In addition to repairing the pumps, jets and lighting in the fountain, much of the concrete surface of the park was replaced with plant beds and lawn areas.
Having the fountain restored to its original function meant that from time to time, the central geyser jets can lift water 100 feet or more into the air. If there is any appreciable wind present, the overspray from the jets falls downwind onto the paving surrounding the fountain and the landscaping.
Flagg said the sustainability of the plant materials chosen for the new park was one of the landscape design challenges involved in the project. He said while there are plants available that will tolerate saltwater, the chemicals used to keep the water in the fountain clean and clear are another story.
“No plants are chlorine-tolerant,” Flagg said.
For the past several months, City maintenance personnel have been limiting the amount of time the jets are operated at full capacity to minimize overspray and plant damage, said Debbie Delgado, City Public Works Department spokeswoman.
She said the park and fountain still are under a one-year warranty by the builder, JBC Planning & Engineering, and Flagg is scheduled to perform an “11-month walk-through” in a few days.
Eric Lindstrom, Jacksonville Economic Development Commission site development coordinator, said replacement of the plants damaged by overspray will be the City’s responsibility because the City operated the fountain and controlled the level of chlorine in the water. He said the chlorine level has been adjusted to minimize damage to the landscaping.
“They really dialed it back,” he said.
The construction fencing has returned to the park for the final phase of the project, which is construction of a pergola around part of the east side of the fountain. When complete, the arbor will provide a shaded walking and seating area.
The pergola was part of the original design, but was not added to the final scope of work until it was determined there was enough money in the project’s budget for the enhancement after the fountain repair and landscape improvements.
Lindstrom said the installation of the pergola is scheduled to be complete in about two weeks.
Whether there will be enough money remaining in the project’s budget to plant vines on the arbor when it’s in place is still in question, but the structure will offer shade around the fountain even if there are no vines.
Flagg said some of the new grassy seating areas in the park also need maintenance due to normal wear from people using the park as it was intended.
“It’s great to see parents and children spreading out blankets and watching the sun set at the park. It’s such an important urban space,” he said.
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