Fountain Returns to Downtown La Grange after July 2012 Vandalism

It was a sad day in downtown La Grange last summer when a teenage boy damaged beyond repair the fountain next to Village Hall.

But water will soon flow again.

The Public Works Department began installing a new fountain Wednesday that replicates the one cracked in July 2012.

There was never a question whether the village would replace it, Assistant Village Manager Andri Peterson said.

“I know the public has been interested in when we would be reinstalling the fountain because it’s a place that people like to go and relax,” she said. “We definitely wanted to provide a fountain and a relaxing atmosphere for residents to enjoy.”

The new fountain didn’t cost the village anything, as it was covered by insurance, she said.

The village had a false start a couple of weeks ago when a fountain arrived with a crack, Public Works Director Ryan Gillingham said. But the village sent it back and the new structure was delivered in good shape.

Though the basin is in place, he said it would be a few more weeks before it’s operational. Village employees need to paint the base, make sure all the pipes are working properly and conduct normal start-of-the-season maintenance.

“We’re working to get it done as soon as possible,” he said.

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