Ryan ChartrandA big shadow has been cast over the magic of the sun. Someone stole the solar panel, control box and steel holder that powered a fountain at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden.
This was a project carried out by volunteers with the keen help of the children who attended Plant Family Camp. It will be a big disappointment to the thousands of children who come on school field trips to the Garden that the solar fountain doesn’t work.
The docents are especially disappointed because it was a favorite lesson to show how the water spouted out of the sun’s mouth when you moved the solar panel so that the sun shown directly on it.
This panel was paid for by a private donor, the steel framework was handcrafted by a volunteer, as was the control box. Our insurance has a $1,000 deductible so we won’t be replacing this great teaching tool any time soon.
It is a sad thing that someone would deprive everyone of the fun of playing with the solar panel and seeing and the light that went on in the eyes of the school children when saw the power of the sun.
If you have any information about this missing panel and control box please let us know at 541-1400, ext.302 or just bring it back to the garden, no questions asked.
Elizabeth Scott-Graham
San Luis Obispo Botanical
Garden Executive Director