Scioto Mile Fountain reopening cut short Saturday in Downtown Columbus: What we know
The fun dried up early this weekend for Columbus area kids and families as an upgraded Scioto Mile Fountain and splash pad closed early Saturday.
The fountain, which reopened Friday, was closed before 6 p.m. Saturday. A celebration for it dubbed "fountain fest" was set to continue into the evening.
Read More: Downtown Scioto Mile Fountain to add year-round amenities
Downtown Columbus Inc., which was hosting the re-opening celebration, posted on its website that the fountain was closed due to what it described as an "emergency cleanup." Madison Cole, spokesperson for Downtown Columbus Inc., told The Dispatch that a visitor had vomited in the fountain, which forced it to close per health code.
"While we are thrilled so many people were able to enjoy the new Scioto Mile Fountain in the first two days, safety of patrons is always our top priority," Cole said via email.
The original fountain opened in 2011 but gradually broke down and suffered from leaks. Construction to replace the former fountain closed the attraction throughout the summer of 2023.
The city of Columbus and Downtown Columbus Inc. —a Downtown civic organization created and controlled by the city— entered into a $15-million partnership agreement to rip out and replace the former Scioto Mile Fountain. The new fountain is expected to add new amenities so that it can be used as a year-round attraction.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Scioto Mile Fountain re-opening celebration cut short in Columbus
