Joshua Reinhart (top), Darrell Dufresne (left) and Andrew Nolan preparing to install a drain pipe in the bowl. Reinhart and Nolan are from Ocean Grove Hardware. Photo by Mary Walton
By Mary Walton
Long plagued with drainage problems, Ocean Grove’s oldest and largest historical urn is undergoing much-needed repairs that include a new drainage system.
Ted Bell and Darrell Dufresne, volunteering their efforts for the Historical Society of Ocean Grove, have supervised the work. The cost is being underwritten by a $1,225 matching grant from the Monmouth County Historical Council, based on a proposal written by Bell and Rose Myers.
When town fathers erected the urn in 1875 on the southeast corner of Founders Park, they apparently gave little thought to what would happen when it filled with water. There was no drainage system, said Ted Bell, “as far as we can tell.”
That was corrected in 1995, when interior piping was installed and the urn was refurbished. The solution turned out to be only temporary. The urn filled with water that froze in cold weather, cracking the bowl and ruining the piping. The drainage failure became apparent when the Ocean Grove Beautification Project planted the urn with flowers. They drowned.
In the new system designed by Dufresne, flexible PEK piping will run from a hole drilled in the bowl of the urn down through the hollow base and out one side. Holes drilled on either side of the crack have halted its spread, and will be invisible when the urn receives a fresh coat of green paint.
To prepare the urn, Dufresne said, it was necessary to remove dead plants, many pounds of dirt and so many marble chips they filled a barrel. The interior has been scraped free of rust and dirt and painted. Much of the work has been carried out by Ocean Grove Hardware. When the side panel was removed, Bell and Dufresne found two time capsules — red metal boxes — placed there when the urn was rededicated in 1996 following the restoration. They will be returned to the base until some future generation decides it’s time to open them, Bell said. “I’m not going to be around.”
On the scene Monday, Dufresne said that a lot of Grovers had stopped by to offer input. As an engineer by profession, he has often been in the position of receiving friendly advice. That offered by Grovers has been typical. “Most have told me why this wouldn’t work!”
The Historical Society welcomes donations toward Ocean Grove’s share of the matching funds.
Great job Historical Society. Soon everyone will be able to enjoy this wonderful urn. Now, if all Blogfinger readers just sent a few dollars to help with the matching grant, I’m sure it would be greatly appreciated. My check is in the mail!
Ok, so I need new reading glasses. When I first saw this heading under ‘Recent Posts,’ I thought it read:”Draining the Um — Saving a Piece of OG History.” As in, draining something not nice to say, yucky perhaps? I got quite the chuckle when it was URN, not UM … so very civil and proper.
Phew.
Kudos to Mr. Dufresne for volunteering his engineering expertise. A few years ago there was a problem with the Broadway Drainage – Phase 1 project. Darrel suggested a resolution to contractor, who in turn implemented his suggestions. Problem was resolved. So despite naysayers meandering around giving their own 2 cents, I have faith Dufresne’s idea will work.