Scarce drinking fountains in Windsor, Ont., limit accessible options during heat wave
City has no plans to repair or replace out-of-service fountains due to vandalism
Of the more than 200 parks in Windsor, Ont., there are only 11 outdoor public drinking fountains, leaving residents in one of Canada's hottest cities with few accessible options to hydrate during extreme heat.
As a heat dome continues to hover over most of southwestern Ontario, residents are being told to plan ahead if they choose to use city parks or trails. That's because there won't always be a running tap or fountain for them to get water.
"We always do encourage people to plan ahead and bring water, food, other appropriate items," said James Chacko, the City of Windsor's executive director of parks and facilities.
Some of these parks might have recreational centres or washrooms to get water from, says Chacko, but not all of them do.
Some people who spoke with CBC News on Windsor's riverfront trail Monday — when temperatures peaked at 34.6 C — say having water easily accessible would be really helpful.
Runner Shawn Gordy usually wears a backpack with a water pouch that he can sip from, but since it can feel heavy and restricting, he sometimes leaves it at home.
While he's usually fine without water, Gordy says that on hot days, it'd be nice to "take a break and then have some water somewhere."
Right now, the more than five-kilometre riverfront trail only has two drinking fountains — three others have been put out of service over the years.
"I didn't even know there was two and I don't even know where they are, so that's new to me," Gordy said, adding that more noticeable fountains would likely encourage others to get out and be active.
If there were more, he said, he would definitely use them.
That's also how cyclist Rachael Durocher feels. The LaSalle resident, who bikes along Windsor's riverfront, says she makes sure to bring her own water with her.
"You're at the mercy of bringing your own water and therefore bringing like your own backpacks, which can be a little bit cumbersome sometimes," she said.
"But definitely if there was more signage and options available, for sure it'd be helpful."
There's no requirements for how often drinking fountains need to be placed along trails, according to Chacko.
City stopped repairing some fountains over vandalism
In the city's most recent asset management plan, it says replacing the 29 ornamental and drinking fountains would cost $21.8 million based on a 2023 estimation.
Of those 29, Chacko said, 11 are functional outdoor drinking fountains — seven fewer than the city had at least four years ago.
And those 11 fountains are spread across 205 parks, according to the city's website. Though these parks could have recreational facilities or washrooms that provide water.
Chacko said the fountains aren't costly to maintain and explained that most of the $21.8 million refers to replacing the ornamental fountains like the one at the Bert Weeks Memorial Gardens.
He said two more drinking fountains will be available soon at Oakwood Park and Elizabeth Kishkon Park.
Right now, the city's website lists 15 fountains, though Chacko said it isn't the most up to date. A few of the fountains are out of service and others, like the one at Festival Plaza, won't be coming back.
Chacko said some of the fountains receive repeated vandalism, like they get broken or sprayed with graffiti, so the city has stopped repairing them.
"It was almost to a point where it's daily, you would fix something and you would get a complaint the very next day," said Chacko.
He said people are welcome to advocate for more to council if they feel they are needed, but he said drinking fountains aren't usually what people request.
He said while there is no standard for fountains, ones they are adding in will look similar to the one that was sponsored a few years ago at Jackson Park. That one has a traditional fountain, along with a fountain for pets and a bottle refill station.
Chacko said these ones are anti-vandal and theft-proof.
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