New Riverfront Park Fountain Opens Independence Day With Ceremonial Tribute

The new feature is dedicated to the children of Salem, in memory of Asher Anderson.

The new fountain will be located at Salem's Riverfront Park. Salem-News.com World Beat '07 photo by Tim King

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem's new interactive spray fountain in Riverfront Park will open to the public as part of the Salem's three-day July 4th Riverfront Park festivities. At 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 4th, the fountain will be dedicated to the children of Salem.

At the completion of the brief ceremony, the fountain will be turned on for all to use, says Nicole Wahlberg, Public Information Manager with Salem's Urban Development Department.

Wahlberg says that like all spray features in Salem parks, this interactive spray fountain will be open from mid-June through October 1st.

"The spray fountain reflects the emphasis of Vision 2020 by adding to the distinct look and feel of the City Center and creating more recreational opportunities in Riverfront Park," she said.

The spray fountain, a $150,000 gift to Salem from local donor Larry Tokarski, will be located in the middle of the Park, between the public dock on the Willamette River and the Court Street pedestrian entrance.

The new feature is dedicated to the children of Salem, in memory of Asher Anderson. Asher Anderson, the beloved son of Salem residents and Tokarski family friends, Troy and Lori Anderson, was just 21 days old when he passed away March 2008. The fountain will be dedicated to Asher's memory and the enjoyment of all of Salem's children.

Sometimes called a splash pad, Wahlberg says an interactive spray fountain uses as system of jets to spray water up from a hard surface.

"Similar to the spray features at River Road, Wes Bennett, and Northgate Parks, the proposed water feature at Riverfront Park will be interactive."

That means it uses a timer, and also responds to a child's presence, water is streamed straight upward or at an angle toward the center fountain at a distance of 20 feet. The Riverfront Park interactive spray fountain features a central fountain where the water is circulated, filtered, and sanitized.

Attendees are encouraged to park on the street or in the Chemeketa Parkade (entrance just south of Chemeketa at Commercial) and walk over, using the Court Street pedestrian entrance to Riverfront Park.