City Fills Its Fountains

[Kris]

April 17, 2003
Throw a Coin and Hear a Splash: City Fills Its Fountains
By DIANE CARDWELL

As New Yorkers optimistically began packing away sweaters and retrieving air-conditioners from winter storage, city officials engaged in a springtime ritual of their own yesterday: turning on the fountains that have been dry since the fall of 2001.

Just before noon, while the balmy season that has been something of a flirt lately was still showing itself, officials gathered in all five boroughs to herald the return of artfully moving water to a long-parched city.

"The fountains have been dry and dusty for 17 months, they've been in repose," said the parks commissioner, Adrian Benepe, who had joined Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris and the environmental protection commissioner, Christopher O. Ward, in turning a ceremonial valve to let the waters flow at City Hall Park in Lower Manhattan. "The sound of water splashing in a park is one of the sounds inalienably linked to spring in New York," he said. "You could literally not be able to see, and from the sounds you would know that it's spring."

Officials played host to simultaneous events at five other municipal fountains to celebrate, post-drought, the ability to gather the approximately 1.3 million gallons of water necessary to start up dozens of fountains throughout the city. Those were at Joyce Kilmer Park in the Bronx, Bethesda Terrace in Central Park, the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, South Beach in Staten Island and Columbus Park at Borough Hall in Brooklyn.

Even though most fountains maintained by the city recirculate water, they stayed off last summer to remind New Yorkers of the drought emergency, which was lifted toward the end of the year. The drought watch left in its place was lifted in January, and the reservoirs reached full capacity last month. Officials plan to turn on roughly 50 fountains over the next week, but not those needing repair, Mr. Benepe said. Once running, they will continue 24 hours a day until cold weather signals the time to shut them off, generally sometime between Columbus Day and Thanksgiving.

But for now, they will be on. Yesterday, the Brooklyn borough president, Marty Markowitz, gathered a dozen or so children from a Brownsville Recreation Center program to throw pennies into the fountain. He invited the adults eating their lunches on the steps of Borough Hall to participate as well. "I don't know the next time I'm going to be handing out money," he coaxed. "This may be a first."

One man, a driving instructor named Don Murph, took him up on the offer even though, he said, he had already thrown in a quarter of his own and wished for more affordable housing in Brooklyn.

Mr. Markowitz, ever enthusiastic, just might have a way to fulfill it. "With the budget crisis, every day we'll send someone down to collect the pennies and put it in the general fund," he joked. "We'll use the pennies to fulfill those dreams in Brooklyn. Sounds good to me."


Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company

[ZippyTheChimp]

At least we have a water surplus.

[NYatKNIGHT]

Yeah, it will be great to see them finally going again, obviously, but it may also help give a sense that these aren't the worst of times.

[Edward]

The article puts the number of New York City fountains at 50. From the website of City of New York Parks Department at http://www.nyc.gov/parks I compiled the following short list. You are encouraged to add to this list.

- Angel of the Waters Fountain at Bethesda Terrace, Central Park
- City Hall Park Fountain
- The Heinrich Heine Memorial Fountain (also known as the Lorelei Fountain) in Joyce Kilmer Park (Grand Concourse Plaza)
- Columbus Park Fountain, Brooklyn
- The Unisphere, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
- South Beach Dolphin Fountain, Staten Island
- BAILEY FOUNTAIN, Grand Army Plaza
- HAMILTON FOUNTAIN, Riverside Park
- TEMPERANCE FOUNTAIN, Tompkins Square Park
- ALGERNON SYDNEY SULLIVAN FOUNTAIN, Van Cortlandt Park
- ROCKEFELLER FOUNTAIN, Bronx Zoo
- JAMES FOUNTAIN, Union Square Park (Union Square Drinking Fountain)


Angel of the Waters Fountain at Bethesda Terrace (http://www.wirednewyork.com/parks/central_park/central_park_bethesda.htm) in Central Park (http://www.wirednewyork.com/parks/central_park/default.htm). Beyond the park - Solow Building (http://www.wirednewyork.com/solow_building.htm) and GE Building (http://www.wirednewyork.com/skyscrapers/ge/default.htm).

http://www.wirednewyork.com/parks/central_park/bethesda/central_park_dusk_bethesda_10feb02.jpg

[Gulcrapek]

Columbus Park Fountain, Brooklyn Civic Center

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/album01/columbuspk.jpg

(Edited by Gulcrapek at 4:51 pm on April 20, 2003)

[Edward]

Frederick William MacMonnies (1863-1937)
Pan of Rohallion, 1890
Bronze

In 1889, the young Paris-trained sculptor MacMonnies received a commission from the Beaux-Arts architect Stanford White to execute a fountain figure for the grounds of Rohallion, an estate White had designed in the late 1880s in Seabright (now Rumson), New Jersey. The owner, Edward Dean Adams, a prominent New York banker and a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum, chose this name for his summer home because its gentle hills and red soil reminded him of a place in Scotland. MacMonnies modeled Pan of Rohallion in Paris, where it was cast at the Gruet Foundry. Pan is depicted as the young god of flocks and pastures, the forests and their wildlife, contentedly playing his reed pipes.



The Pan of Rohallion fountain in The Metropolitan Museum of Art (http://www.wirednewyork.com/metropolitan_museum.htm).

http://www.wirednewyork.com/museums/metropolitan/metropolitan_museum_fountain_pan_rohallion_4may03. jpg

[OKoranjes]

I like the look of the Brooklyn Civic Center. *Is there a thread on it?

[NYatKNIGHT]

In Union Square....


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid61/p6e7e63c1fca2be6839c20a3050d2b67a/fc31ab4a.jpg

[billyblancoNYC]

Anyone have one of the City Hall Park beauty?

[Edward]

The focal point of Osborne Garden in Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a water basin more than 17 feet in diameter. Inside is a fountain, the bowl of which was carved from a piece of Indiana limestone that is said to be the widest ever brought to New York City.

http://www.wirednewyork.com/brooklyn/botanic_garden/brooklyn_botanic_garden_fountain_2may03.jpg

[Eugenius]

I would also add the large fountain in the middle of Washington Square Park. *I'll try and take a picture the next time I'm down there.

[Edward]

And we should not forget the Columbus statue fountain. By the way, couple of days ago a digging of Columbus Circle began around the statue, the fountain is fenced off. Anyone knows what's planned?


The Columbus statue and the construction of AOL Time Warner Center (http://www.wirednewyork.com/aol/default.htm). 1 September 2001.

http://www.wirednewyork.com/aol/images/aol_time_warner_columbus.jpg

[TLOZ Link5]

I was just there today, and noticed the fences. *It's my guess that they've started to relandscape.

[NYatKNIGHT]

City Hall Park

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/NYatKNIGHT/CHP_Fountain.sized.jpg


http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/NYatKNIGHT/119_1942_IMG.sized.jpg


Gas Lights

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/NYatKNIGHT/city_hall3.sized.jpg


Bowling Green

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/NYatKNIGHT/Bowling_Green_1.sized.jpg


(Edited by NYatKNIGHT at 2:40 pm on June 30, 2003)

[ZippyTheChimp]

Gulcrapek, that Post Office is looking good. Is the renovation finished? *I never realized that it has an inner courtyard.

[Edward]

The fountain and the gilded statue of Prometheus in the sunken plaza of Rockefeller Center (http://www.wirednewyork.com/manhattan/rockefeller_center/default.htm).


http://www.wirednewyork.com/manhattan/rockefeller_center/images/rockefeller_center_prometheus_fountain_26may03.jpg (http://www.wirednewyork.com/manhattan/rockefeller_center/default.htm)

[czsz]

Has anyone noticed how well-maintained New York's parks are compared to those of other cities? It probably has something to do with the ratio of population density to parkland acreage. In any case, the parks in New York seem to be the most intensely maintained of any North American metropolis. Even in Canada, with its legendary stewardship of the public realm, the greenspaces look scruffy compared to some New York squares.

[BrooklynRider]

Add:
The new fountain at Hudson River Park (Christopher Street Entrance).
Madison Park Fountain
The POseidon Fountain (or whatever fountain is under renovation at Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza)

[ZippyTheChimp]

Christopher St fountain at the soon to be opened Hudson River Park.
http://www.pbase.com/image/17197899.jpg

[czsz]

Looks a bit bare and desolate. Hopefully the problem is just that the trees haven't grown in.

[ZippyTheChimp]

No opportunity for a better angle - construction fence.
Landscaping not complete.

[NYatKNIGHT]

I've seen that one, that whole new park area looks like it's ready to be open soon, and people are chomping at the bit to get in there. They sit along the chain link fence adjacent to it. Looks nice!

[ZippyTheChimp]

I never thought I'd see the day when there would be trees and grass on the piers.

Some minor stone work left. Assuming they'll let the plants set in before turning us animals loose, hopefully it will be open by the start of summer.

[Edward]

The fountain in front of the GM building and The Plaza Hotel (http://www.wirednewyork.com/hotels/plaza_hotel/default.htm).

http://www.wirednewyork.com/hotels/plaza_hotel/plaza_gm_fountain_solow_27may03.jpg

[NYatKNIGHT]

The fountain in the center of Washington Square Park.

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/NYatKNIGHT/wsp_fountain1.sized.jpg


(Edited by NYatKNIGHT at 2:42 pm on June 30, 2003)

[Edward]

NYatKNIGHT already posted nice pictures of City Hall Park fountain, but here is another one.

http://www.wirednewyork.com/landmarks/city_hall/city_hall_park_fountain_28june03.jpg

[NYatKNIGHT]

Very nice. Thanks for the compliment but my photos didn't do this fountain justice.


Here's the fountain in the Chase plaza:

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/NYatKNIGHT/chase_fountain.sized.jpg

[Kris]

Is it true goldfish used to swim there? If so, no wonder they died.

[billyblancoNYC]

Man, the City Hall park fountain is beautiful. *Gas lamps and all.

[NYatKNIGHT]

Sixth Avenue - Rockefeller Center

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/NYatKNIGHT/RC_fountain_1.sized.jpg

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/NYatKNIGHT/RC_fountain_2.sized.jpg

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/NYatKNIGHT/RC_fountain_3.sized.jpg

[Edward]

The fountain (waterfall?) and the outdoor restaurant in front of the 2 World Financial Center (http://www.wirednewyork.com/wfc/2wfc/default.htm) building.

http://www.wirednewyork.com/fountains/2wfc_fountain_marina_26july03.jpg

[sirhcman]

Edward, a little off topic but do you know the name of that Outdoor restraunt??

[Edward]

I think the name is SouthWest NY

[RovingRube]

I don't know how to post pictures directly here, but I am doing a series on NYC Fountains that started on 8/3 and will run at least to the end of the month:

http://www.nycjpg.com/2003/pages/0803.html

Some of which have been covered here, some from pocket parks, a standout from the NYBG ... Anyway, reading this thread and seeing some of the great photos gives me lots of good leads for the rest of the series! * Fountains are a great photo subject.

[ZippyTheChimp]

The fountain of life at the Mertz Library, New York Botanical Garden.
http://www.pbase.com/image/20481238.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/20481320.jpg

[ZippyTheChimp]

Triumph of the Human Spirit by Lorenzo Pace in Foley Square
http://www.pbase.com/image/20712123.jpg

[Kris]

Hmm...

[Edward]

Josephine Shaw Lowell Memorial Fountain in Bryant Park

At the western gateway to the park is the pink granite Josephine Shaw Lowell Memorial Fountain, dedicated in 1912. This was the city’s first public memorial dedicated to a woman. Lowell (1843-1905) was a social worker and founder of the Charity Organization Society. Charles Adams Platt designed the fountain.

http://www.wirednewyork.com/fountains/bryant_park_fountain_28sept03.jpg

[Edward]

http://www.centralparknyc.org/virtualpark/northend/conservatorygarden/

To enter the six-acre Garden from Fifth Avenue and 105th Street, you must pass through the Vanderbilt Gate, which originally stood before the Vanderbilt Mansion at Fifth Avenue and 58th Street, the site of today's Bergdorf Goodman store. An Italian-style garden opens immediately before you. It is a restful oasis of formal green lawn and clipped hedges. It is bordered to the north and south by alleés of crabapple trees; their bloom times vary from mid-April through the first week of May, depending on the weather.


On the west side is a wrought-iron wisteria pergola that sits atop a series of tiered yew and spiraea hedges. An elegant geyser fountain in front of the pergola provides a vertical contrast to the rows of hedges.

http://www.wirednewyork.com/fountains/conservatory_garden_fountain_5oct03.jpg



A rainbow in the geyser fountain of the Conservatory Garden.

http://www.wirednewyork.com/fountains/conservatory_garden_geyser_fountain_5oct03.jpg

[Edward]

A picture from September - kids are thirsty.

http://www.wirednewyork.com/fountains/hudson_fountain_6sept03.jpg

[Gulcrapek]

never mind

[TLOZ Link5]

It looks like the second one's thirsty for the first one's butt.

Lame :roll:

[Gulcrapek]

It does though...

Anyway, nice picture, and nice fountain.

[Edward]

The fountain on the corner of Avenue of the Americas and 50th Street, across from Radio City Music Hall.

http://www.wirednewyork.com/fountains/radio_city_music_hall_fountain_13jan02.jpg

[Gulcrapek]

I don't think I've ever seen that one before...

[Edward]

Oh yes you did, it's just an unusual angle, NYatKnight posted a different view of this fountain on a previous page.

[Edward]

The fountain across 61st Street from The Pierre (http://www.wirednewyork.com/hotels/pierre/default.htm).

http://www.wirednewyork.com/fountains/fountain_pierre_31oct03.jpg

[Edward]

The fountain cascade at Rockefeller Center (http://www.wirednewyork.com/manhattan/rockefeller_center/default.htm) during 2003 X-mas season.

http://www.wirednewyork.com/fountains/rockefeller_fountain_xmas_29nov03.jpg

[Edward]

The Gilded Age produced nothing like this aquatic show. Water gushing from a row of concealed jets can be manipulated into different heights and configurations, from low gurgle to Old Faithful. The fountain gets it about gravity. Rising up in pulses, the water seems to hang in the air, as if captured by strobe photography, before crashing to the ground in a percussive, drenching splash.

http://www.wirednewyork.com/museums/brooklyn_museum/brooklyn_museum_art_fountain_17apr04.jpg (http://www.wirednewyork.com/fountains/default.htm)



The Jenkins Fountain is centered in a pool 24 feet in diameter and 1-1/2 feet deep. Lily Pool Terrace, Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

http://www.wirednewyork.com/brooklyn/botanic_garden/jenkins_fountain_lily_pool_17apr04.jpg (http://www.wirednewyork.com/fountains/default.htm)

[krulltime]

Historic Bailey Fountain At Grand Army Plaza Reopens


http://www.ny1.com/images/homepage/video_icon_02.gif (http://real.ny1.com:8080/ramgen/real3/000C28D2_040728_151644hi.rm)
^CLICK ON VIDEO


JULY 28TH, 2004

After a two-year restoration, the water is flowing once again at the historic Bailey fountain in Brooklyn, the centerpiece of Grand Army Plaza.

Bailey fountain was built in 1932 and features figures representing fertility and wisdom.

It became a favorite backdrop for countless wedding photos.

The $1.5 million restoration project was funded by the mayor's capital budget through the City Council.


Copyright © 2004 NY1 News.

[ZippyTheChimp]

The pool is full, but no water from the spouts.
http://www.pbase.com/image/32336371.jpg

Nice public space, but it's difficult to get to. The plaza perimeter needs work, maybe turn the painted no-traffic zones into real sidewalks.

More Grand Army Plaza (http://www.pbase.com/zippythechimp/grand_army_plaza)

[Edward]

The fountain in Samuel Paley Park, on East 53rd Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenues.

http://www.wirednewyork.com/fountains/samuel_paley_fountain.jpg (http://www.wirednewyork.com/fountains/)

[TLOZ Link5]

Probably the most successful and friendly of the city's public plazas.

[ZippyTheChimp]

Preseason

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6716/bethesda01ur5.th.jpg (http://img155.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bethesda01ur5.jpg)

[The Benniest]

I must say, the fountains in NYC are looking great!

I really enjoyed seeing the City Hall fountain, the Grand Army Plaza across from The Plaza and of course ... Columbus Circle.

All are great! :rolleyes:

[NYC Novice]

The Firemen's Memorial, dedicated in 1913, at 100th & Riverside.

http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=12921

If this fountain has already been posted, apologies.

[NYatKNIGHT]

^Very Nice. Welcome!

[Derek2k3]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3016/2970919797_999fb8a8e4.jpg

"Filling the Fountain"
James Neeley (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpn/2970919797/sizes/m/in/pool-35034350743@N01/)

Click for larger.