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Kate Jackson Fountain Runs Dry

Tampa Tribune photo by JAMIE PILARCZYK

The fountain at Kate Jackson Community Center will be closed from May 5 to June 15 as the city performs maintenance on the lion-ensconced play area.

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 6, 2008

HYDE PARK - The sounds of children splashing in the fountain at Kate Jackson Community Center will be silenced as the city performs maintenance on the lion-ensconced play area.

The closure began Monday and is expected to continue through June 15.

"We're doing routine maintenance, upgrading the filtration system," said Linda Carlo, spokeswoman for the city's Parks and Recreation Department.

But with the warm weather, some at the playground, 821 S. Rome Ave., are wondering about the city's timing.

Carlo said the project has been planned for a few years and is being done now because money and materials are available.

Kim Haugh was at the park this morning with her 3-year-old goddaughter and twin toddlers she was babysitting. They played in the fountain last week but Haugh hadn't noticed the sign warning of the closure.

"We had a blast the other day," said Haugh, of Gandy. "We can put the sprinkler on in the backyard, but it's not the same."

This is the first time the 35-foot-diameter fountain, which is surrounded by stone lions, has been closed for repairs since it opened eight years ago. The project is being funded with $40,000 in materials from the city and $43,000 from the Mayor's Beautification Program.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 835-2114 or jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com.

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