By DON STINE
The historic TenBroeck fountain in Asbury Park’s Library Square Park is up and running again thanks to the city’s department of public works and local historical society members can’t be happier.
Robert Bianchini, deputy director of the city’s public works department, said the fountain was up and running last week after some repairs were made.
“We sandblasted the inside of the fountain, filled-in cracks, put on a special water-resistant paint, installed new lamppost globes, and put in a new submersible pump,” he said.
Bianchini said many residents were asking him when the fountain, which has not been working for a number of years, would be working again.
“I was trying to get a lot of projects off my list and this was one of them. I am happy with the way it came out and I just hope it stays running through the summer and early fall,” he said.
“I think it’s great and people can go by there, and sit, and watch the fountain- it’s so nice,” he said.
Members of the Asbury Park Historical Society are also happy to see the historic fountain up and running again. The fountain is dedicated to Frank LaRue TenBroeck, who was a city mayor in the early 20th century.
The historical society spent more than $50,000 on a project, which began around 2002, to restore the fountain. Money was spent on fixing the fountain, electrical work and plumbing, installing a sprinkler system, and landscaping.
An official dedication for the restored fountain was held on April 18, 2004 but the fountain was vandalized almost immediately.
“I think it now looks fantastic and it is a definitely an improvement. I hope the city can keep it up and running. It’s all positive after all of the work we’ve done,” Historical Society Trustee Teddy Chomko said.
Historical Society members had become frustrated that the fountain was continually vandalized and inoperable over the years and stopped putting money and effort into the project.
“Every time we did something, it was vandalized. I hope the city keeps an eye on it and maintains it,” Chomko said.
