Hundreds Attend Formal Reactivation of Restored Century-Old Hopatcong State Park Fountain in Roxbury

ROXBURY, NJ – The long-dormant, recently restored fountain at Hopatcong State Park in Landing was officially reactivated Tuesday morning at a celebration that drew hundreds and culminated a decade of planning.

The fountain gushed to life again exactly 99 years to the day that it was first activated as part of a Lake Hopatcong/Musconetcong River water control system and about 30 years since it was turned off due to maintenance and liability issues.

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Its restoration cost more than $200,000, money largely provided by Morris County, and was spearheaded by engineering students from Stevens Institute of Technology. The restoration work included solving flow reduction issues and installing an automated system for capturing and clearing debris.

“This is amazing,” said Lake Hopatcong Foundation (LHF) Chairman Marty Kane. “This started … 10 years ago as a project that we (the LHF) thought would just be nice to do until we realized it was unaffordable.”

On that note, Kane offered extensive thanks to the county’s historic preservation program for funding the fountain’s rebirth.

“It takes money, lots of money, and Morris County you have the most amazing historic preservation program,” said Kane, who is a historian with deep knowledge of Lake Hopatcong. “There are so many buildings that would not be around in Morris County today except for that program.”

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The park, and fountain, are owned by the state and managed by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Attending the ceremony was DEP Assistant Commissioner John Cecil, who congratulated Kane and all the others involved in the project.

“What a great day,” Cecil said. “99 years ago this very day, what would become the Department of Environmental Protection helped to bring this fountain to life. Today, after a long absence and ten years of planning, we are here to celebrate the return of this proud symbol in our state park.”

Among the many local, county and state officials attending the ceremony was Roxbury Mayor Jaki Albrecht. “This is a historical day for the Lake Hopatcong community at large,” she said shortly after the fountain returned to life.

Albrecht took note of the many older Roxbury residents who attended the event, many having enjoyed the fountain decades ago on similarly hot and humid days. “I love seeing so many of my senior citizens out here re-living their youth,” she said.

Further reading:

Restored Hopatcong Park Fountain in Roxbury Works, Fence Still Needed

Historic Lake Hopatcong Fountain in Roxbury Comes Alive

County OKs Grant to Restore Historic Fountain in Landing

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