Officials and residents of Fishers talk about the opening of Geist Waterfront Park

Fishers, Indiana – Officially open and prepared for visitors, the Geist Waterfront Park in Fishers may worry some families about cleanliness and security.

Online complaints regarding the park’s cleanliness have recently been made, with one parent claiming that the water was “nasty and stinky.”

According to officials, this is just a characteristic of a natural body of water.

“It is an unusual experience, but that is kind of the point of the park,” Ashley Elrod with the City of Fishers said. “You may see some things that you are not used to at your neighborhood pool and that can include wildlife and algae.”

Elrod claimed that because there is a natural body of water surrounding the park’s territory, algal growth will occur.

“It’s good to keep in mind this is a natural body of water and [there is] natural land around here,” she said. “Algae is a natural part of any sort of open body of water.”

Elrod stated that the area is kept clean by the Department of Public Works every day at 5:00 am, and that the water is also periodically tested.

“Everything seems super clean and nice,” said Fishers resident Stacey Suever. “It’s been wonderful so far.”

The mood is fantastic, according to many Fishers families who visited the park on Monday, and they can’t wait to return often throughout the summer.

“It’s a great way to spend the summer outdoors and enjoy time together as a family,” Dana Orton said.