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Martinsville City Park Board flags sinkholes and pond seepage; contractors recommended to diagnose spring and erosion
Summary
Park staff reported expanding sinkholes and new water seeping from the hillside by the pond. City water and street departments inspected; park staff and outside experts suspect an active spring washing sand pockets out and recommended excavation with relief drains. The board will seek contractor quotes and assess reserves.
Ashley, superintendent of facilities, told the Martinsville City Park Board that staff have documented repeated sinkholes and fresh water emerging on the pond’s hillside near Shelter 2, and that initial repairs have not stabilized the area.
The city’s water and street departments inspected the site. A prior water line leak near Shelter 2 was replaced with a bore job costing about $3,800, but the problem persisted. Contractors and a local pond specialist who examined the site told staff they suspected a spring moving water through sand pockets, which is washing material out and creating voids and sinkholes.
Eli, the facility team lead, said the spring and sand pockets can continue to push water even through drought and recommended excavating a key and installing relief drains to draw and control water rather than allowing it to seep through the hillside into the pond. He described seeing several newly formed boreholes and a large sinkhole that collapsed rock along the pond edge.
Ashley said the work will likely require outside contractors and specialized materials and could be costly; staff will contact suppliers and firms for quotes and for guidance on whether insurance or warranty coverage might apply. Board members noted safety concerns for park users and said they had posted warnings on social media asking people to avoid the affected area, but that some visitors still enter the cordoned spaces.
Next steps: staff will obtain contractor estimates and material costs, verify available reserves and insurance coverage, and report back to the board for a funding decision.
