By MADELINE REIDA

Staff writer

Central Park has a new swan sitting atop its 124-year-old fountain. The statue replaces the original swan figure that vanished from the park.

The new carving was donated in memory of Bula Good, who died last summer.

Her son, Bob Good, was present as the swan was installed Tuesday.

“We always said, “they ought to put that swan back up,” and they never did it,” he said. So he took matters into his own hands, reaching out to parks and recreational director Margo Yates last September to arrange to replace it.

The swan was recreated by Robinson Iron, an Alabama-based company that specializes in restorations, replications, and custom casting for metal sculptures. It was placed onto the Central Park fountain via crane at roughly 11:30 a.m. Final painting and cleaning is expected to be done on Thursday, weather permitting.

The installers explained to Good that the fountain’s pipes and valves might need adjustments to get as close to the original water feature as possible. The placement of a memorial stone honoring Bula Good is being debated.

Bob and wife Joann were both in awe of the statue’s good quality Tuesday. It is sure to amaze park guests again when the installation is finished as a vital element of Central Park and the City of Marion’s history.