McCain’s Interactive Water Feature at Simplot Park is up and running. It officially opened up on August 20 with all the fountains active and welcome to all. City Council representative for the Portage Parks Committee Melissa Draycott talks about how it works.

“The fountain is set on a timer. It runs during the day and it turns off at 8 at night, however, you do actually have to turn on the fountain manually,” Draycott explains. “There is a hand sensor on one side and on the north side, there’s a foot sensor as well. When you wish to use the fountain, you just utilize one of the sensors and the water will start flowing for a timed period.”

Draycott says the fountain is for everyone to enjoy and says they want it to be easily accessible. She adds they will be turning off the fountain for the winter but it will come back next summer. She notes the date they shut it down and bring it back will all be weather dependant. 

Draycott outlines what it looks like.

“There are several spouts that run and they don’t all run at one time, nor do they run at the same height,” Draycott explains. “When you turn on the water feature, there’s a sequence that happens where different water spouts function at different times. It gives the ability to run through different things happening at different times.”

She notes they have a grand opening event next week which they will provide more information on in the very near future. Draycott thanks all the donors and business contributions to the project and notes it couldn’t have happened without the assistance from the community.