Renovations Coming to Friendship Fountain

[choosing2disappear]

Also, those round benches proposed ( in the second to last photo) look eerily similar to the original "toadstool" benches bulldozed during the Godbold years. They: complimented other design elements aesthetically, provided both respite and shade, and were very durable. The blueprints still exist, so since we now again wish for chairs + shelter from the sun, why not "replant" a few amongst the new greenscaping. 

(why is the pumphouse surrounded by trees in the new design?)

[Ocklawaha]

Being the resident old fart fat hippie on here so I'm your huckleberry for a comment or two...

I used to love all of the "free range" chickens that used to run around there back then.  That was before the office buildings went up around it.  Very entertaining for a child.

Chickens are very good, I like mine fried. Actually I think Jake took them with him when he left, I also heard he repainted his house Water Street BLUE! (HI JAKE, LIBBY SENDS HER LOVE!)

I just want to the darn fountain returned to its former glory! As far as landscaping, just leave it all concrete and brick pavers with some trees thrown in. We all know the city will not maintain a large grassy area with lush landscaping the way it should be.

fsujax, shame on you man, we know the city WILL maintain this park at least as good as it takes care of street lights, sidewalks, and water mains down the middle of the streets of Springfield. 

Also whats with the ongoing park plans that leave no covered space for people wanting outdoors without sunburn or daily rain drenchings?

If citizens want to be left to the tender mercies of the semi sub tropics they can already sit at the cities many bus stops.

Also I think its a great idea to reconsider building more active use into a complex with a new museum building.

About those bus stops Stephen, "If one of our citizens is poor enough, or dumb enough to ride our buses, he deserves our bus stops!" Yeah, lets replace that museum, (blink, blink) What museum? Did you see a museum here? I haven't seen a REAL museum!

I don't know if the fountain will be restored to what it originally was, but I suspect it will be better than what is there today. 

Dang Lake, that really wouldn't take much, I mean a 5 year old child and a garden hose would be better then what is there today.

It's named friendship fountain? I never knew this.  Anyway, why does it need renovation?  It always looked fine to me.

Somebody should have told you this Reaper, the whole place was named for finance commissioner Dallas Thomas, at least until he got caught with someone Else's money or wife or some such. We had to rename it and the name "Boss Hogg" was already taken.

This is funny as hell guys, but those grass pavers won't work in our soil. They do fine in Wisconsin or California or Oregon, but the sand will not hold the grass. We are going to end up having to re-re-pave the whole place with real concrete as some have suggested, the ONLY places those things will work in Florida is the few area's of a good silt or black pasture soil type. The grass must stay somewhat moist and not be allowed to dry as sand will in a couple of hours. Watering dry sand only creates washouts or in the event of grasses, the water runs off and the roots turn UP to reach the water laying on top of the soil. When the sun comes out the roots bake and bingo, sand pile.

OCKLAWAHA

[Ocklawaha]

Son in laws two cents worth, make the pump house look like a light house. I think the kid has a great suggestion, what better for the future number 3 container port in the nation? God I love this stuff! REALLY!

OCKLAWAHA

[stjr]

Originally, you could walk up the spiral over the pump house for an "observation deck" view of the park.  Today, the walk is gated closed.  Is it in the plan to ever reopen this?  Kids loved the spiral and it was a memorable feature of the park.

Any redesign of the park should accommodate gathering of people for themed festivals and outdoor events like runs and walks that currently frequent the place, not to mention crowds gathered for riverfront fireworks, boat parades, etc.

The big Southbank opportunity is to add a major park at the JEA/School Board land.  The City owns JEA so it should be able to obtain favorable terms to acquire it for its portfolio.  And with multiple failed attempts to develop the property and a lousy economy, JEA should be amenable to a favorable transfer value.

[choosing2disappear]

Just today, while walking through friendship park, a city worker informed me about how useful the gate has been in keeping the homeless from sleeping atop the pumphouse.

[stjr]

Just today, while walking through friendship park, a city worker informed me about how useful the gate has been in keeping the homeless from sleeping atop the pumphouse.

Easy to fix.  Close the gate from 10 PM to 7 AM.  We can't let this problem ruin every amenity in our parks.  We don't close roads because the homeless sleep under overpasses.  By the way, on a recent visit to Treaty Oak Park on the Southbank, I found the homeless sleeping around the tree during the DAY!  And, agressively accosting visitors for money.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Bring the chickens back. Also add peacocks I heard down in Miami they make good watch dogs. They could alert JSO when the homeless come around.

[choosing2disappear]

Just today, while walking through friendship park, a city worker informed me about how useful the gate has been in keeping the homeless from sleeping atop the pumphouse.

Easy to fix.  Close the gate from 10 PM to 7 AM.  We can't let this problem ruin every amenity in our parks.  We don't close roads because the homeless sleep under overpasses.  By the way, on a recent visit to Treaty Oak Park on the Southbank, I found the homeless sleeping around the tree during the DAY!  And, agressively accosting visitors for money.

You make some excellent points, but it should also be noted that the gate truly doesn't deture anyone over 4 feet tall from climbing the pumphouse. Except of course, families and (supervised ) school childeren.  As an obsticle, it works pretty well on them.

What would the the proper fourm for asking the city to get rid of it?

[JaxNative68]

Son in laws two cents worth, make the pump house look like a light house. I think the kid has a great suggestion, what better for the future number 3 container port in the nation? God I love this stuff! REALLY!

OCKLAWAHA

don't we already have one fake light house in downtown Jax!

[blizz01]

Some additional insight from The Daily Record:

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=529653

[thelakelander]

^Sounds good.  This Friendship Fountain issue shows the power of the public when they rally behind a cause.  Three years ago, the city's plans were to demolish the fountain, which most of the community opposed.  Now, there is a decent plan that improves the space and restores the fountain for a lower cost than the kiddie fountain concept.  Kudos to COJ for listening to the community and developing a plan that preserves one of Jacksonville's most iconic landmarks.

[Ocklawaha]

Son in laws two cents worth, make the pump house look like a light house. I think the kid has a great suggestion, what better for the future number 3 container port in the nation? God I love this stuff! REALLY!

OCKLAWAHA

don't we already have one fake light house in downtown Jax!

Hadn't thought about the mission, however of the two, I'll stay with the homeless. Otherwise lets build another one, this one "REAL". There are modern tripod type light houses, maybe something like that with a high observation deck and glass elevators above the original pumphouse? Bet it would become one of the most photograph intensive sites on earth.

OCKLAWAHA

[thekillingwax]

I'm happy they aren't putting in any covered areas, there are enough bum fights over the gazebo by the Landing. I like going down by the fountain and walking the riverwalk when it's cool outside but there are just too many dark corners and hiding places once it gets dark. I almost stepped on some guy that was sleeping under the bridge the last time I was over there.

As for the MOSH? I went there a couple of years ago and it was beyond pathetic. Almost every thing was non-functioning and the place really looked like it had been closed for months. Even the little aquariums and animal displays were empty and nasty looking. I wanted to ask for my money back but I kinda felt bad for them.

[Reaper man]

don't we already have one fake light house in downtown Jax!

Yeah, and it's an eyesore.  Then again, the entire church is an eyesore. ;p

[choosing2disappear]

The Daily Record article is a nightmare. Those fellas quoted seem terribly arrogant and have no sense of history. Clearly they view the pump house as an embarrassing eyesore and not (in earnest) as a cool, interactive design solution.  Would a majority of citizens like the pump house to be obscured and made less accessible than it already is?