Update with water fountain

I have a few key updates from my previous post in regards to the water fountain located next to the Memorial Auditorium.

There is more than one warning sign:


What I noticed after returning to the fountain was that there are actually two signs in front of the fountain instead of one.  This means that it would be unlikely to miss both of the signs.  Although I may have missed viewing one of those signs, I was still able to come in contact with the other.

Larger image of what the sign says:


One of the things that I had forgotten to place in my previous post about the fountain is an image that is in better quality to read.  This way, instead of having to zoom into the image to view the wording on either sign, I zoomed into the specific area for anyone to read clearly.

Electrical wiring, lights, and Chlorine:


When I went to visit the fountain again the other day, I noticed that it was turned off due to the weather being cool.

Entering in the area, I toke some pictures of the inside and outside of the fountain to show what the sign is trying to explain to people about what kinds of hazards the fountain possesses.

Looking down into the fountain, it looks safe to jump in.  However, there are a few things that is being shown in the image that helps to explain why it isn't safe to be in or on the fountain.

First is these things.  I'm not entirely sure what they are, but it could be related in draining the fountain.  When the fountain is on, the water levels are much higher than what is shown in the overview image.  I don't know if it is manually or automatically able to open or close with either electronics components or by human action.  Either way, it still posses a danger to an individual playing inside the fountain, being either an electrical or a tripping hazard.

Also, the water located in the pool is covered in Chlorine, which is specifically used to purify the water from any contaminants.  It isn't clear how much is put into the system, but if the signs say that the Chlorine that is in the water is part of a hazard for the fountain, it would only mean that there is larger-than-normal doses being put into the water.

This particular thing is located all around the inner ring of the fountain.  This helps provide more water to move into different directions at the same time.  The hazard of this item can be from falling into it while inside the water area.  As for the outer edge nearby, it can be extremely dangerous since the white material surrounding it is slippery and someone could be impaled or have any similar injury as a result of falling.

Speaking of slipping, if a person were to slip from that particular edge, they would either fall forward into the water, or fall backwards in a 2-3 foot drop on the cement or grass.  This can lead into different scenarios of injuries or even death as a result of poor judgement.

This particular thing is display lights.  They are located within the fountain, nearby the main spout of water in the middle of the fountain.  A wire is shown attached to the device.  This shows as proof that there are wires located in the bottom of the fountain.  It isn't clear how secure they are to the fountain, but they are placed there.

Here is another image showing the main spout, as well as the many wires leading to specific ports.  This shows how dangerous the fountain is with all the electric wiring flowing through it.  If someone were to somehow severed any of the wires, it would electrify the hell out of anything that is in or around the water source.

Located just outside the water area are more lights.  They are located within the outer ring of the fountain.  This shows that the entire fountain, both inside and out, contains electrical circuits, plumbing, and wiring necessary to make more of a hazard and less of a public pool.

The idea of playing in or on the fountain is idiotic.  The people who does this kind of thing want to find a way to cool off for the summer, swim at a water park.  If they can't afford to go to such a place, buy a plastic pool and, followed by filling it up using a water hose.

Memorial Auditorium's large white fountain has been occupied by random people for years!

Every summer, I would walk downtown to check out the riverfront view.  Every summer, the fountains nearby the Memorial Auditorium are turned on as part of a display.

And every summer, there have been people playing in and around the entire area.

















The photo above was taken earlier today as it was a common thing that was being done to that fountain.  Children, hell even adults play in it.  Even though there is a clear visible sign with capitalized letters, including using the colors red and black; people still jump in and play around.


What is the fountain's real purpose?


According to a June 1998 Minutes document from the City of Burlington, a fountain was being discussed in being placed somewhere in Burlington.  It would be considered to help promote tourism, but was also considered an attraction.  Council Member Wright considered it more of an addition to the Memorial Auditorium rather than an attraction.

However, according to the Grow Burlington website, the fountains that are located in front of the building is a favorite cooling off spot during the summer.


So the fountain's main purpose is to either draw tourism or be an addition to the auditorium.  The separate fountains located on the ground in front of the building have a general purpose of keeping individuals cooled off during the summer. 


However, even though the smaller ones that are lying flat on the ground and are used more for cooling tourists off during the summer, it doesn't mean that people can jump in or around the large white fountain nearby.


Why do people do this?

Having a few water parks in town, it would be understandable to go to places like Fun City and play in a larger pool full of slides, toys, etc.  However, there is a cost to attending such places and they're usually not cheap.  


Where is a public area full of water that is running every summer and doesn't cost any money to entertain one's self?  The white fountain down by the river is the only place.  Some individuals may be doing this because they want to play in the water where is clean, plentiful, and free.


That doesn't rule out other individuals who do it because it’s really hot outside.  Today was one of those days where the temperature reached near the 90's.  



Is there anyone enforcing the rules that were placed originally by the sign?

The most likely answer to this question is: NO.  If it was enforced by any law enforcement, people who regularly or occasionally jump in and play would never come back.  There wouldn't be anyone in it if it was enforced effectively.  
   
It would probably not be enforced for two reasons:  many officers in this town can't enforce anything effectively due to the cities lack of funding and the poor training the officers receive; and there isn't a barrier preventing people from jumping in it.



What would happen if someone were to get electrocuted or hurt from playing in the fountain?

If someone were to get hurt or killed as a result for playing in the water fountain, it would be easily viewed by anyone who is at the river.  

Law Enforcement would most likely be involved with fixing the issue of the offenders, perhaps even the city.  

If a lawsuit were to open up as a result from playing inside the fountain, the chances of winning the case would be zero to none.  The big reason is the fact that the person(s) involved in swimming, jumping, etc. either ignored or couldn't read the sign that was put into the ground.  Another reason would be that it was originally designed to be an attraction, or by what Council Member Wright considered it an "addition", not some mini play park that is left unsupervised 24/7.

I've seen many children jumping and waving their arms around the edge, even the inner part of the fountain.  Clearly it is a safety hazard for anyone being in the fountain before someone slips and breaks their neck or gets electrocuted.