Check out a recent article about The Harrisburg Parks Foundation in The Burg :

Park Place: In Harrisburg, a foundation is helping city parks make a comeback.

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Harrisburg Parks Foundation works with the private sector and City to Reactivate Reservoir Park Fountain

The Harrisburg Parks Foundation recently worked with the Special Projects Committee of Greater Harrisburg, representing businesses people in the greater Harrisburg area, who have made financial contributions to fund work needed to reactivate the “Rebirth” fountain in Reservoir Park. The fountain installed in 1994 has been long-dormant and its restoration will not only again become a significant focal point in the Park but will also become an example to call for additional contributions from the private sector and others to fund future improvements envisioned by the recently completed Reservoir Park Master Plan.

Mike Trephan, Chair of the Committee which has made contributions, noted that this project has taken his group three and a half years to come to fruition. He said that he and his associates have made contributions to other City projects over the years to revitalize “what our fore fathers have left us” particularly in the city parks. Jeb Stuart, Chair of the Parks Foundation, said this effort is a great example of where a public/private partnership works to the benefit of the community. He noted that the Parks Foundation is a project of the Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

In order to try to economize on expenditures for the project, the Parks Foundation and the Committee have been able to enlist volunteer efforts from both the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 520 and the Electricians Union IBWE Local to inspect the condition of the fountain equipment. The Plumbers and Pipefitters made repairs and installations at their expense while the Electricians Union, also at their expense, diagnosed what additional work would be needed and whether the electrical components were operational.

It was concluded that several pumps needed to be replaced which has been accomplished by the H.L. Heim Company through both the contributions of the committee and funding from the City of Harrisburg. Much appreciation is also extended to Mayor Papenfuse and to the Harrisburg Department of Public Works which is working with the Foundation and the Committee in overseeing the project. Successful testing of the Fountain occurred on October 27, 2017. A press conference to activate the fountain was held on November 14th. Ongoing operation will resume in the spring of 2018.

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“Rebirth” Fountain operating shortly after its installation in 1994 and before the life-sized figure sculptures were added.

Harrisburg Parks Foundation working with the private sector and City to Reactivate Reservoir Park Fountain

The Harrisburg Parks Foundation is currently working with a committee, representing businesses people in the greater Harrisburg area, who have made financial contributions to fund work needed to reactivate the “Rebirth” fountain in Reservoir Park. The fountain has been long-dormant and its restoration will not only again become a significant focal point in the Park but will also become an example to call for additional contributions from the private sector and others to fund futures improvements envisioned by the recently completed Reservoir Park Master Plan.

In order to try to economize on expenditures for the project, the Foundation has been able to enlist volunteer efforts from both the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 520 and the Electrician Union IBWE Local to inspect the manhole pit next to the fountain to diagnose what equipment and repairs would be needed.  The Plumbers and Pipefitters installed at their expense new gaskets and fittings where necessary while the Electrician Union, also at their expense, diagnosed what additional equipment would be needed and whether the electrical components were OK.

It was concluded that several pumps needed to be replaced which is being accomplished by the H.L. Heim Company through both the contributions of the committee and funding from the City of Harrisburg. Much appreciation is also extended to Mayor Papenfuse and to the Harrisburg Department of Public Works which is working with the Foundation in overseeing the project.  Testing of the Fountain should occur in the fall of 2017 with full operation in place by the spring of 2018.