Fountain Frolics Mean Fines

Dipping your toes into a city fountain could mean a $50 fine, the Parks Department wants to remind us. Although cascading waters are tempting, the city says that the fountains' water is recirculated and not treated with chlorine, which can make it a breeding ground for bacteria. Mmm, bacteria. Plus, there may be broken glass or other objects that you can't see.

There are 49 fountains under the jurisdiction of the Parks Department. A few years ago, we learned that most city fountains were maintained by Central Park Conservancy employee Joe McBain. McBain said that money that is fished out (amongst "MetroCards to cell phones to watches") is put in a general fund or for fountain part replacement.

Photograph by mattcarman on Flickr

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By Jen Chung in News on August 28, 2007 11:10 AM

Comments [rss]

guest

Now Now Now #16 to call the hardwoking NYC Parks people simians is a bit over the top. I believe they are a notch or two below that level. Simians in a normal environment have children that both parents are somewhat related other than through coke deals.

CR

#15 - You poor bastard. Your parents wouldn't let you run through a sprinkler as a child? Don't know about you, but where I'm from the sprinkler water was the same thing as the drinking water...

As far as Chlorine is concerned, doesn't it need to be added at intervals by some sort of machine? And you think the simians who work for the park dept are up to the task?

guest

That's why I my Parents wouldn't let me play in the sprinklers when I was a kid . Couldn't understand why then, (Hell I was a kid, & didn't care) Until they told me the water wasn't clean . Chlorine is indeed cheap enough for the city to invest a small portion of the Parks Dept. funds . I wonder why they haven't done this ? It sure makes a lot more sense to upgrade the water then fining people for using it ! Posted by; "Still Not Amused"

JRod5417

Boxer puppy maybe? Nice pics though!

mattcarman

Not sure, #12. There are some more pictures of it here.

JRod5417

#10- PERVERT ALERT, PERVERT ALERT. (Sirens blaring).

Really Gothamist, if you required sign-ins for comments, you could catch a predator or two.

The dog is cute. Boston Terrier I believe?

mattcarman

That girl was twelve years old.

guest

That girl is hot. Anyone know her?

guest

No, just an excellent for the city to take more cash and not do anything productive with it.

guest

An excellent way to get Legionnaires disease.

zodak

Central Park Conservancy employee: McBain!

guest

BACTERIA! My goodness, not the dreaded bacteria found on most surfaces one comes into contact everyday. What next asbestos and Corvairs?

Go jump in a lake if the bacteria count bothers you. Let them frolic in the fountains and if they cut themselves on broken glass so be it. Maybe that will teach them not to frolic in a fountain.

guest

Great shot! I like it even better than the one in the NY Times, which I thought was pretty impressive. I guess everything is improved by a dog.

ed_Extinct

Misting sprayers are water only and no chlorine. Essentially it's recycled water filled with bacteria. Chlorine is so cheap I can't image why it's not used more frequently in fountains.

guest

#2 Those are not recirculated and have fresh water flowing out. That doesn't mean you didn't get water in your ear though. :)

Toby von Meistersinger

I seemed to have gotten an ear infection after I went through one of those misting sprayers, which are designed for people to go through, in the Hudson River Park, although that is a state park.