SALEM — The Salem Parks Commission discussed efforts to revitalize the duck pond in its meeting Wednesday.

“We really wanted to try to go at this from a cost-effective environmental approach if we can and give it our best shot,” said Parks Director Jacob Logan.

Logan said that treatments adding beneficial bacteria to the water to help it better self-regulate were ongoing, and Parks Foreman Wes Bryan said that the department had recently replaced the aeration pump and installed a fountain at the lake and completed trimming around the pond and island. Logan also said that volunteer Mickey Weaver had contacted local resident Karen Sebo for support in the revitalization efforts, who had donated $1,000 for the purchase of a second fountain to be installed in the duck pond.

Logan explained that since the duck pond had no natural currents to keep water moving, the department was working to create an artificial one, which will help to combat annual algae bloom issues and revitalize the pond.

“Since we have no natural flow, we’re trying to create an artificial flow and movement to help bring some oxygen to the top and bottom of the water, especially with the increased compressor we added, and that bubble is working really well,” said Logan.

Logan also said that he and Bryan were investigating ways to safely remove the accumulated pond scum from the water’s surface and had considered modifying an old volleyball net to tighten the mesh, which could be dragged across the surface to catch the scum.

“Just to give us a jump start, because last week with the heat and the sun it exploded, that [algae] bloom blew up, and there’s nothing we can do about the weather, but that’s just how the battle is,” said Logan.

The department is also still reviewing the possibility of a dredging project to remove some of the accumulated muck within the pond, with Logan noting he was hopeful to have a preliminary meeting with East Liverpool based Heritage Thermal Services on Friday to discuss the possibility of a dredging project. Logan said that while the department would still need to receive permission and complete a permitting process should a dredging project be required, he felt it was far likelier to receive approval with a firm like Heritage Thermal signed on for the project.

“I know we would still have to fill out the application with the Army Corps of Engineers, but with Heritage Thermal involved for the disposal I think the process would be much more simple because they have the technology, all of the relevant industry and equipment, even the hauling process is something that they’re very much used to,” said Logan. “I’m trying to get some realistic figures and numbers so if our environmental way of fixing it does not work, we can have a realistic idea of what it’s going to cost if we actually go to dredge it. Just trying to get all our ducks in a row, but it’s just a big uphill battle.”

Logan also presented a revenue comparison for the Centennial Park Pool’s earnings up to June 24, compared to its revenue in the month of June in 2023 on behalf of Recreation Supervisor Kelli Pastore, who was unable to attend. Last June the pool earned $5,153.56 in admissions, which includes both daily admission, season passes, and rentals, and $1,035.16 in concessions for a total of $6,188.72. This year the pool has earned $13,326.08 in admissions, and $3,030.20 in concessions for a total of $16,356.28, with six days remaining in June.

Logan attributed this 164% increase in revenue in part to the department’s recent upgrades to the concession stands offerings which expanded the kinds of items it was able to sell; however, he also noted that the pool as a whole was seeing a significant increase in usage overall this year compared to last June.

The parks commission will meet next at 5 p.m. July 24.