FOLEY – Two bronze plaques will be placed on the renovated fountain at John B. Foley Park as part of the final phase of improvements at the site.

The plaques will recognize city founder, John B. Foley, who died in 1925, and the Foley Art Center, which supported efforts to improve the site, Brenda Shambo, city administrative assistant, told members of the Foley Revitalization and Beautification Advisory Board.

“The Foley Art Council was very supportive,” Shambo said. “We were able to use some of the money they provided for the fountain to add the colorful lights and other things.”

Shambo said the fountain lights, like the lights on the nearby McKenzie Street pedestrian bridge, can be set to different colors to fit different occasions during the year.

“Right now, we’ve turned them pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October,” she said. “They’re a beautiful fuschia pink as the bridge lights are too.”

David Thompson, executive director for leisure services, said the city has also replaced a temporary pump at the fountain. The above-ground pump that was put in immediately after renovations were completed earlier this year has been replaced by a system that is buried at the site.

He said that while the project has not received final approval from the city, the system is working well.

“They had the pump put in. It hasn’t been officially turned over to us. They will be coming back to do a walk through and we’ll be doing the training sessions,” Thompson said. “The fountain works very well and we’re very, very pleased with it.”

The fountain project is part of a series of improvements in the green space extending through John B. Foley Park and the Perry Wilbourne Antique Rose Trail. Shambo said another marker is planned on part of the Rose Trail across East Laurel Avenue from the park.

The local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is donating a marker commemorating fallen veterans to be placed on the trail. The chapter will also provide white rose bushes to be placed near the marker as part of the commemoration.