MYSTERY ANSWER

The water flowing and spouting upward at Linden City Park is a pond aerating fountain. It is located in the city’s retaining pond and adds a scenic and restful view of the park area as well as performing an environmental function.

The water spout is an aeration device. This is a process by which air is circulated through the water to maintain a healthy, oxygen-rich pond environment.

The pond with its water spout is close to the Linden Senior Citizens Center, which is on Kaufman Street. Kaufman Street connects with School Lane which forms the park’s upper edge.

The purpose of the retention pond is to store and release storm water that is being channeled from the center of town. The pond is about 2.5 acres in size and 22 feet deep at the center. An earthen dam is included. Stabilization of the channel bank with large white rock has been accomplished.

In the city park, terraced walls have been built on the park’s hillside to restrain and direct water. The parks’ iron-ore, rock-bedded ditches built decades ago by the Civilian Conservation Corps have also been repaired and opened. After hand-digging with shovels and repair of the ditch walls and bridges, water is flows freely again.

Mowing and upkeep at the park is being accomplished with the coop-eration of the city and the Linden Economic Development Corporation (LEDC).

“Keeping the park attractive is a big job. This cooperative effort between city and LEDC is very helpful,” tells Linden City Administrator Lee Elliott.

Linden’s pond retains the storm and creek water flowing southward through town and going by the wetlands area of the park. A spillway and culvert in the dam allows the water to be released when appropriate.

Two aerators have been built to circulate the pond water, but one is not functioning at the moment. Together the flowing water movement keeps mosquitoes from breeding and prevents stagnant areas from developing.

In the park, a nine-basket disc golf course has been created. A winding concrete sidewalk is a pleasant stroll, and several public facilities including a pavilion, a sand volleyball court and a colorful children’s play area are available.