20-Year-Old Cited After Soap Incident at Duluth Fountain Causes $3,000 Cleanup
Published: August 12th, 2026.
Photo: Duluth Police Department
DULUTH MN: A 20-year-old Hermantown resident has been cited following an investigation into soap being placed in a fountain in Duluth’s Canal Park earlier this month.
According to the Duluth Police Department, an officer identified Travis Sundberg, 20, during the investigation and issued him a citation for public nuisance in connection with the incident at the Fountain of the Wind, located at 400 Canal Park Drive.
Police say the incident ultimately cost approximately $3,000 to clean up.
The incident was first reported shortly after 10 p.m. on Aug. 1, when officers responded to a report of people putting soap into the fountain. Responding officers blocked portions of the roadway and sidewalks and placed markings around the area to alert the public to the potential hazard.
A city plumber was also called to shut off the fountain until it could be cleaned.
Police said three other people were involved in the incident but have not yet been identified.
The Duluth Police Department said tampering with city infrastructure can pose a safety risk and place an unnecessary strain on city resources.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Duluth Police Department at 218-730-5684.
A citation is an allegation, and Sundberg is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.