Favorite Shreveport Attraction Will Be Back Open Soon

SHREVEPORT, LA - One of Shreveport's most beloved attractions has been out of commission for several years. But it is being fixed and put back into service.

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The spray ground at River View Park in downtown Shreveport was damaged during the flooding in 2018 and the city has been hard pressed to find the money to fix it.  The problem has been the big debate about making the repairs only to see another flood damage the equipment again. It's happened a few times. But now the city has found a way to get the spray ground up and going and make sure the system is safe even if we do have another flood.

SPAR Director Shelly Ragle says the fix is on the way. She says the contract has been awarded Has the contract been awarded for the fountain repairs at Riverview Park? Yes, the project has been bid and awarded

Who got the contract? Daren Bailey, INC of Bossier City.

The price tag for this project is $1.376 million.

KEEL News asked Ragle when the work would start and how long is it expected to take to repair?  And she says

The pre-construction meeting has occurred, and they are in the process of gathering supplies and ordering equipment.  Some of the equipment has a long lead time and it is not expected to arrive until late fall.  Once they begin, it is a 120-day construction project.

So this means we could have the spray ground back open in time for next summer.

New Technology for the Park

Many would ask why we would spend nearly a million dollars on this project if it could be damaged again by flooding. But Ragle says there is new technology that will make sure future flooding along the Red River will not render this spray area inoperable again. The electrical control panels will be above ground in a place that does not flood. Previously they were underground.

Shreveport is using $1.4 million from American Rescue Plan money on Riverview Park upgrades and this includes the spray grounds.

READ MORE: See how Shreveport spent $48 million in ARP funding.

The flooding causes damage to more than just the spray ground. Sand removal cost the city about $30,000 back in 2018.

The city also spends about $10,000 on liter control around Riverview Park and the parkway. Ragle encourages people to put their trash in garbage bins to help save the city a little money.