MAN-MADE cascade waterfall in a park (Flickr/Ivan Radic).

Back in Rhode Island, where I come from, water was for fishing, not for swimming.

No one in my family ever learned to swim once we moved out to the Pacific Coast, which is sort of a startling omission, don’t you think?

I eventually took up the practice at 11 and after four years of swimming in high school, became passable at moving across the pool and not drowning.

Although I didn’t pick up superior skills at the various techniques, I did develop a fascination with the stuff in its natural state. I enjoy walking along the beach, hearing the crashing of the waves, taking in the sea-salt air and digging my toes in the muddy sand.

I think most people have a visceral connection to water. We can’t survive without it and it seems – say biologists – that we all originated in the water many, many years ago. Water is life. It restores and relaxes.

Hence we are also drawn to “civilized” water in all its forms – fountains, water falls, “splash pads” and hot tubs.

At last week’s meeting of the Garden Grove City Council, the plans for the revitalization of the civic center – new police facility, parking structure and new park –won raves from everyone.

Except three councilmembers suggested adding a water feature to the park. This is a really good idea and the timing is right. As far as design goes, the park plan is the least finalized and therefore the most flexible, I hope.

  Since the incumbent water system – ponds and waterfalls – in the existing Civic Center Park is planned to be ripped up and wiped out, a water feature – I’m thinking a modern vertical fountain “wall” – would be an appropriate capstone to something that aims to be truly “revitalized.”