Riverfront Park staff describe irrigation automation, restored waterfall and other maintenance upgrades

Michael Prince, Riverfront Park safety and facility manager, reviewed a year of maintenance and operations improvements at Riverfront Park, highlighting a suite of mechanical, irrigation and preventive-maintenance upgrades.

Prince said the park's long-dormant waterfall now operates in three-minute cycles, recirculates about 300 gallons per minute and runs on a closed system to avoid wasting water. Turf and playground areas on the North Bank, including Hooptown courts, received turf replacements and other refurbishments. The park has implemented an automated baseline irrigation system that allows on- and off-site control and an automated logic control (BACnet) for ventilation and lighting that staff can operate remotely to improve efficiency and respond during events.

Prince said staff moved from largely corrective maintenance to a preventive-maintenance approach using a computerized tracking system that schedules routine tasks and logs work. He also described improvements to the skate ribbon, paint and ice-preparation systems and stage-feeding operations. Board members praised the work and noted the operational flexibility the new systems provide during storms and events.

Prince credited the park's maintenance technicians, playground specialists and partnership with other city teams for the improvements; no new capital appropriation or contract action was requested during the update.