City Council received an update on Ariel-Foundation Park from Mark K. Fritz, executive director of the Ariel-Foundation Park Conservancy.
Councilmember Amber Keener offered a reminder that the city owns but does not operate the park or oversee events held there.
Fritz, who has held his position since 2017, said he was asked to be the project manager for the Harmony Playground in 2008.
More recent accomplishments include the more than $300,000 invested in the new park office, which also provides storage for the Music and Arts Festival, Experience Mount Vernon and other events.
Industrial fans were installed this year at a cost of $40,000, he said.
“Now, for those of us who enjoy being at the event center for exercise classes, weddings, company appreciation, banquets or other events, those fans in July were a welcome addition when humidity is 80%, and the outside temperature is 90 degrees,” Fritz said.
An additional $100,000-plus is being spent on updating the Schnormeier Event Center with a dry suppression fire system. He said the south side of the center will get enclosed with carbon fiber sheeting to prevent weather from coming inside.
Concerns about the fire suppression system began three years ago, Council President Bruce Hawkins said.
Fritz said the system installation should be completed by December.
Over the past two years, the park has been one of the few locations within 50 miles that can host weddings with more than 200 guests and ensure social distancing. And reservations are filling up fast for 2023, he said.
The park conservancy hosts free community concerts annually, including the Mount Vernon marching band and Pirates of the Caribbean.
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