Purdue News
Purdue News
|
|
April 11, 2001 University official explains decision to fence fountainsKenneth P. Burns Purdue's decision to place fencing around the fountains in the Purdue Mall and Founders Park has been met with sharp disappointment from the campus and local communities. This reaction is not surprising to anyone who has seen children, Purdue students, and even an occasional retiree, splashing or dashing though the waters.
The tap was opened on the gigantic Purdue Mall fountain in 1989, and almost immediately students and others began to dare one another to sprint through the pillar of water. The gentler waters of the Founders Park fountain produced a different reaction when it was turned on in 1994. Children (including my own), dogs, students and older people, too, have loved to wander through the spray or just sit inside its cool embrace. So why is Purdue spoiling all this innocent fun? I think almost everyone understands that public safety and the university's liability are behind the decision. I hope they also recognize that there is no desire on Purdue's part to take something pleasurable away from people. Even though the fountains were not designed for recreational use, the university reached its decision on fencing very reluctantly and only after considering every other possible option. It is an unfortunate reality that running through and playing in the water are dangerous – especially to small children. Injuries began to occur from the beginning, and as more and more people engage in these activities, the danger becomes greater. If nothing is done, the question is not whether a serious injury – or even death – will occur, but rather when. The use of signs to discourage these practices was considered, of course, but safety experts concluded that signage would not be an effective deterrent, and attorneys said it would do nothing to decrease the university's liability. While no lawsuits currently are pending in connection with fountain injuries, legal action also is only a matter of time if we do nothing. The money that Purdue would pay in a civil judgment – or to defend itself successfully – belongs to our students and to the people of Indiana. As difficult as it is to accept, the decision to install fencing is the only responsible choice the university can make. In carrying out the decision, we have made every effort to make the outcome as aesthetically pleasing as possible. John Collier, a gifted young university architect, has executed the design. The fencing will be installed in a way that will not interfere with people's freedom to walk or sit beside the fountains. We will still be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the water, which was the original intention when the fountains were built. PHOTO CATION: |
