Lagoon Pumping and Dredging Project Underway at Columbian Park

The Columbian Park lagoon, a beloved centerpiece of Lafayette's central park since its construction in 1876, is undergoing a major transformation with the third stage of its $9.1 million makeover. As part of this ambitious project, crews from Kokomo-based Merrell Brothers have begun draining the four-acre body of water and conducting a dredging operation to uncover hidden treasures beneath the surface.

The process started by using an auger to break up larger chunks of debris before pumping the mixture into awaiting tanks for further processing off-site. This week, workers used water from the northern lagoon to loosen up remaining silt and sediment, reducing it to a 'protein shake' consistency that's easier to remove.

As crews drained the bottom section of the lagoon, they uncovered an astonishing array of items that had been hidden beneath the surface for years. Among the finds were 23 oil drums, six bikes, a skateboard, a Bird scooter, and even a plaque that was stolen from the Memorial Island cannon. It's not surprising that curious onlookers are stopping by daily to ask questions about this incredible discovery.

The lagoon itself has an interesting history. Constructed in 1876 using leftover dirt from the city's first pressurized waterworks system, it was created in the shape of a 'G' to honor Dr. Glick, Lafayette's mayor at the time. The project is expected to have a huge impact on the overall park, according to Lafayette parks superintendent Claudine Laufman.

'It's such an amazing project that's going to have such huge impact on this overall park,' she said.

The dredging and pumping operation aims to restore the lagoon to its former glory while also uncovering hidden treasures beneath the surface. As the project progresses, it will be fascinating to see what other surprises await discovery in this beloved city park.

Lagoon pumping and dredging