I’d like to take a break today from the wintry weather and frigid temperatures outside to share a story from last summer’s warmer months.
It comes from the Webster Recreation Center, and specifically the First Responders Spray Park, the very popular summertime splash area just to the west of the Rec on Chiyoda Dr. Earlier this summer, some of the water elements struggled a bit to turn on. I noticed that once when I was over there, but there wasn’t much I could do about it but notify the folks at the Rec Center’s front desk.
But turns out, John Link COULD do something about it.
Here’s the story, pulled straight from the Webster Recreation Center’s December newsletter.
First Responders Playground gets an upgrade thanks to some giving citizens in our Webster Community!
It was sometime this past August when temperatures were high, and families were looking to cool off. John Link happened to be at First Responders Spray Park with his grandchildren. He noticed some water features were not operational and notified the department. In his email, he shared that he had knowledge of control systems and if we needed a hand, he would be happy to help out. Soon after receiving his note, the aging spray park control system went completely inoperable with an extremely expensive fix needed. It seemed only appropriate to reach out to John (and his friend Ed) who were happy to take on the project…pro bono!!!
John Link spent 40 years working at the Wegmans distribution centers and was the manager of the automation group. John spent 30 years as an adjunct professor in the Rochester Institute of Technology Electrical Engineering Technology program.
Ed Ellingsworth was the technician group supervisor and a software engineer at Wegmans and came from Kraft Foods, where he was responsible for the packaging and distribution systems. Ed also served in the Air Force and was supervisor for maintenance on jet aircraft electrical systems including F4 Phantoms.
Together, they were able to design and build a control panel and create software to work with our new irrigation controller. Alongside Scott Todd of Innovative Irrigation, they were able to combine their expertise and provide a new system for the First Responders Spray Park. This collaborative effort saved the Town several thousands of dollars and created a system that is not only functional but also improves the overall efficiency of the system! THANK YOU to everyone involved!
By the way, if you haven’t started receiving the Webster Recreation Center newsletter yet, here’s where you can see past editions and sign up. There’s lots of great information in there even if you aren’t a member.
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(posted 1/7/2025)
webster on the web 
Thanks so much for this article. We all need to feel good and this group of talented people deserve a thumbs up. Thx again. I absolutely love your posts.
Sharon Gavens
Thanks so much!
WOW! ‘Thank you, John and Ed, from ALL of us! (and to you, Missy, for your wonderful reporting)
Thank you!
wow!! Excellent work gentlemen! Thank you for sharing your skill and knowledge to make such difference.
You never know what sort of expertise is rattling around in someone’s head. Thanks Jim, Ed (and Scott); together you saved our town considerable money, but perhaps more importantly, you’ve restored the First Responders Spray Park to safe and operational condition. This will make so many kids, parents and grandparents happy. Thanks guys; great job. The Rec Center article says these fellows saved “several thousands of dollars”; I think that’s low – tens of thousands might be more accurate. (I worked in process controls, but in a different industry.) Process control systems can be quite complex; the skill and knowledge to repair, reconfigure and restore these systems is in demand, and commands a high price both for the equipment and skill to install and maintain it. These gentlemen donated their time and skill, and that was a huge gift to us.