In late 2020, following Auburn 5th Grader Emilie Emerson’s presentation to the Auburn City Council suggesting the City fund the purchase of water bottle filling stations/fountains to place in strategically selected locations for the needs of the many endurance athletes who live or visit the area, the Endurance Capital Committee was tasked by the City to settle on a pilot location for the unit. Then they needed to find the appropriate unit, and purchase it with a portion of ECC budget funds. After much debate about the location, followed by the need to find not just a U.S ADA compliant unit but also a California ADA compliant unit, the task was accomplished.

The location settled on is next to the Overlook Park where the Tevis Cup Trail Ride finish area is undergoing a massive upgrade in a partnership between Auburn State Recreation Area and the Western States Trail Foundation. This location is also a hugely popular start/midpoint/finish for equestrians, hikers, and runners throughout the year. Having a CA-ADA compliant unit that is also highly vandal-resistant in this location will service a very large number of people as they begin, pass through, or end their treks into the canyons. The letter shown below was sent to the City of Auburn’s Endurance Capital Committee from the President of the Western States Foundation to thank the ECC for this contribution. Watch for updates about its installation that will occur sometime during the location’s renovation.

The ECC will be seeking out more locations and fund additional units, as it continues to carry out young Emilie’s will-received suggestion.