Fitzgerald Fountain. Founders Park. Ocean Grove. Paul Goldfinger photo. Click to enlarge.© Blogfinger.net June 7, 2021.
For years the Fitzgerald Fountain was a planter maintained by the folks at Beautification. It was like the Little Engine That Could, so Ted Bell and others from the Historical Society and CMA got together to raise money to restore the fountain, and it was done, and a dedication was held at this spot in the summer of 2019.
The biggest thrill at the dedication was the opening of the faucets. This past winter the fountain was wrapped in tight white plastic until it was recently removed.
Landscaping was planned for this spring to include ground cover, but that failed, and the landscaping effort seemed bleak. People looked around at the brown disarray and wondered who would make it nice. Some pointed at Beatification, but this was not their project—that job was in the hands of the HSOG.
However, the volunteers at Beautification were determined to do something in memory of Ted Bell, one of the great heroes of OG.
So they received permission to fill the urns with flowers. Today, after the beach, Jan (first name only) wandered over with arms filled with begonias.
She was nearly finishing the job when I arrived with my camera. The light was lovely, and she was glowing from her hard work. She straightened up a minor mess so that the photo shoot would go well.
When she later returned for finishing touches, I hopped on my bike, promising her that some photos would be posted tonight.
Paul.
JEWELL From the Wizard of Oz.
Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor Blogfinger.net
The fountain pump has apparently died and a replacement is being sought. Originally, the fountain likely had no pump and was simply connected to the town water and ran to waste. At one time, OG had several ornamental fountains including two in Auditorium Park, one in Firemen’s Park, and another inside the old Youth Temple.
We had received a tip that the HSOG would place a low fence around the fountain, but now we are told that a fence will not be needed.
The HSOG will deal with the ground cover situation around the base.