The
Merrill Spring Park, located at the end of Spring Court, is
the most public feature of the Merrill Spring Mound Group
Archeological District established to note the significance
of the mounds and prehistoric settlement in this area.
The current cistern was built in 1934 to replace a deteriorating
older one. The purpose of the cistern is to protect
the sping water from runoff from the adjacent ground which
would contaminate the spring.
Photographs from 1900 frow an even older stone ring protecting
the spring.
Students
gather around the cistern in 1910.
(photos
courtsey of the Wisconsin Historical Society)
Water
levels in the spring dropped during the1970s after the city
well was built on University Avenue. (see "Where
are the springs in Spring Harbor?") In
1980 the neighborhood and city installed a small well at the
park to return some flow. In 2002, neighbors became
aware the bacteria in the old shallow well was going to cause
the city to order to well abandoned. The SHNA approved
a Merrill Spring Restoration Committee to study the problem
and propose a solution.
The
City Council approved a $20,000 project in November 2004 and
allocated $15,000 in city money. They required a $5,000
neighborhood match, which we were able to provide through
generous support throughout the area.
.
Work
began with the drilling of a new well in October 2005
 
The
bottom was cleared of debris and a new liner was installed.
 
A
new sand bottom was added.
 
The
spillway was repaired and outlet channel channel was restored.
(photos
courtesy of Bill Fitzpatrick)
As
of early May 2006, the water is on in the cistern. It is
well worth a visit to the park to see the water flowing
again. The water is cold and clear and the new well is much
quieter than the old system. Currently the well is set
to run from 8am to 8pm. Water testing will be repeated everything
is functioning as expected. After you visit the site
if you have any comments or suggestions please pass them
on to your area director.
Our city departments
did a wonderful job bringing this park back to life. The
neighborhood owes an enormous debt to Bill Fitzpatrick,
who spearheaded the SHNA effort, the Parks and Engineering
Departments, the Water Utility, our current Alder Noel Radomski,
past Alder Steve Holtzman, and all those residents who contributed
with their time, effort or donations to make this project
a reality.
 
Further restoration of the stone
benches, outlet channel, shoreline and landscaping are still
needed. The SHNA is looking for residents who would
wish to contribute to the planning or execution of these projects.
If you'd like to get involved, please contact Bill.
Project
Documents
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