Friendship Fountain Grand Reopening

[peestandingup]

Awesome, awesome, awesome! When I was in Jacksonville back at the end of April, the construction was still underway so unfortunately I wasn't able to visit the park. But the fountain looks great! As big and wondrous as it is, it seems like it should be interactive in some way or at least have an interactive counterpart like the splash pad at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta which is a huge draw. I'd imagine something like that would be just as big in Jacksonville.

Yeah, I agree. Thats really the only thing I don't like about the design (you can't really interact with any part of it). Be cool if they had used some of that grassy area & put a mini-version of the splash-pad you're talking about in Atlanta's downtown park. I think that would have upped the activity level at our park tremendously.

[JeffreyS]

I think that is something we can add later. It is so good what they have done. The fountain looked great from the landing durring the pub crawl.

[tg]

Finally made it down there today, first time since the reopening. It was great, ate lunch at the picnic tables under the big trees. The view and fountain were great. Would like to see the before mentioned interactive fountains for those hot FL days, but the fountain still looked great today. Saw it from Main Street Bridge too and it really sticks out.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

We had a pretty good time at Discovery Green Park before a few Astros games last year.

[Jason]

DOOOOOOOOD!!!  I looove the new fountain!

Can't wait to see it at night now.  Those center jets are MUCH larger in person than they are in pictures.

Kudos to all of those involved!  I can only hope that the Southbank Riverwalk reconstruction will be as wonderful.

[KenFSU]

I was down there at 11:00 or so on Saturday night, and it was just beautiful. There were a lot of people hanging out, and the area felt remarkably safe due to the new lighting and crowd. I was disappointed that the music wasn't playing though. It was my understanding that the music plays from 8:00 to 10:00 nightly, and from 8:00 to midnight on Friday and Saturday, but I guess I was mistaken. Overall though, just a huge success for the city.

[jaxlore]

Was down there today and it does look great!!! They were testing the 4th of July music, I hope, someone needs to get them to change it up a bit. But regardless great job with the fountain.

[BridgeTroll]

It will be a great place to watch the fireworks Monday night. 

[PeeJayEss]

Awesome, awesome, awesome! When I was in Jacksonville back at the end of April, the construction was still underway so unfortunately I wasn't able to visit the park. But the fountain looks great! As big and wondrous as it is, it seems like it should be interactive in some way or at least have an interactive counterpart like the splash pad at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta which is a huge draw. I'd imagine something like that would be just as big in Jacksonville.

Yeah, I agree. Thats really the only thing I don't like about the design (you can't really interact with any part of it). Be cool if they had used some of that grassy area & put a mini-version of the splash-pad you're talking about in Atlanta's downtown park. I think that would have upped the activity level at our park tremendously.

We have one of those literally across the river

[wsansewjs]

Awesome, awesome, awesome! When I was in Jacksonville back at the end of April, the construction was still underway so unfortunately I wasn't able to visit the park. But the fountain looks great! As big and wondrous as it is, it seems like it should be interactive in some way or at least have an interactive counterpart like the splash pad at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta which is a huge draw. I'd imagine something like that would be just as big in Jacksonville.

Yeah, I agree. Thats really the only thing I don't like about the design (you can't really interact with any part of it). Be cool if they had used some of that grassy area & put a mini-version of the splash-pad you're talking about in Atlanta's downtown park. I think that would have upped the activity level at our park tremendously.

We have one of those literally across the river

Ready for the answer? -drums roll-


















































































METTTTTTTTTTTROOOOOOOOO PARK!


-Josh

[Shwaz]

The Landing has this too.

[fieldafm]

METTTTTTTTTTTROOOOOOOOO PARK!

Kids Kampus was ripped up earlier this year. 

The Landing is the fountain Peejay was talking about.  At least there, you can also grab a bite to eat as well... something you can't do at MetPark during the 340 days a year events are not programmed there.

[kells904]

Saw some kids playing in it during...what I believe to be...a dog pageant  when I was there in May.  It's smallish, but I'd hope the Landing played it up as part of a reason to come in and stick around.  Jacksonville gets "Dubai-hot".  That open court a really good space, and here's to hoping it won't be underutilized too much longer.  Hell, maybe they could even stick this in front of the new Law Fortress.  Play in the fountains before you get sent to Juvie Hall.

[Riverrat]

None of the plaques in the park mention the original fountain designer – Taylor Hardwick. I felt like that was a little bit of a slap in the face. A lot of the plaques also mentioned the park opened in 2011 with Mayor Peyton’s name and the current city council members and contracting company plastered all over it. I think a more appropriate and historically accurate thing would have been to put the original information along with “restored in/by” information at the bottom.

[Riverrat]

None of the plaques in the park mention the original fountain designer – Taylor Hardwick. I felt like that was a little bit of a slap in the face. A lot of the plaques also mentioned the park opened in 2011 with Mayor Peyton’s name and the current city council members and contracting company plastered all over it. I think a more appropriate and historically accurate thing would have been to put the original information along with “restored in/by” information at the bottom.

...That said, the park is GORGEOUS. They did a great job and I'm glad to see the park and fountain back to its landmark status.