By Gerri Miller

Staff Writer

If you’ve driven by the park in Prattville lately, you may have noticed that Pratt Park Pond has been drained. Do you wonder why?

Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie said the pond has had an algae problem over the past six years as silt has built up in the pond. “The experts told us the best way to handle the problem was to dig that silt out,” he said.

City staff has drained the pond to remove any debris and silt. This is an effort to enhance the quality of water and environment in Pratt Park, and protect the pond fountain and filter. He said maintenance activities will not disrupt the park’s wildlife.

Mayor Gillespie said that many decades ago the pond had an island in the middle of it and he hopes the project will bring the island back to life.

“In keeping with the financial pulse, we would like to do several other things. Pratt Pond will be getting a facelift,” he said.

“We also want to keep it safe and family friendly,” he said.

Mayor Gillespie said it will be a two to three-week project to dig the silt out of the pond. “We have to let it dry out and that has been made more difficult by recent storms.”

For the safety of park visitors, the pond will be fenced off to the public during the project.

The green spaces of the park will still be open to the public, but as a reminder, the playground is still closed by order of the Governor during the COVID-19 pandemic.