Riverfront Spray Park Shut Down as Repairs Continue This Spring

If you have driven downtown on the Clyde Fant Parkway lately, you have probably noticed that the spray park on the Riverfront which was recently completely rebuilt is not working.

I have seen crews out there at least once a week doing some work. They haven't ignored the problem. It's just taking them a while to get it fixed.

KEEL News reached out to Shreveport city officials to find out what the trouble is and when these fountains will be back on.

SPAR Director Shelly Ragle tells us the crews are working on the plates that hold down the lights and the water tank on the north end of the spray park. Ragle also tells us the water features are still under warranty so this will not be costing the city any additional money.

READ MORE: What has been the problem with the spray park?

Why Did the Spray Park Close

The spray park was shut down in 2018 after another flood on the Red River damaged the pump and the underground mechanisms at the park. Repair costs were too exorbitant considering future floods could cause similar damage. The park was repaired once prior to 2018 at a cost of about $200,000 but it broke again.

Will Future Flooding Damage the New Version of the Spray Park?

This new design has all of the pumps above ground in secure, air conditioned boxes which will keep them resistant to problems from Mother Nature.

This new technology also has lights that can be coordinated with the lights on the Texas Street Bridge.

How Much Did It Cost to Make the Repairs?

Shelly Ragle with SPAR has told KEEL News this repair work will cost about one million dollars. Bids came at $1.376 million from Daren Bailey, INC of Bossier City. Add to that the $200,000 we already spent prior to 2018 and you have a total repair tab of about $1.5 million.

And the fountains have been on again, off again for months. We must make sure this amazing city feature is ready to go this summer. Ragle says crews understand that all spray parks are set to open on May 1.