Friendship Fountain Grand Reopening

[Metro Jacksonville]

Friendship Fountain Grand Reopening



Following a $3.1 million restoration, Friendship Fountain reopened Saturday on Jacksonville's Southbank.  Among the dignitaries present for the reopening ceremony were Mayor John Peyton and Taylor Hardwick, the architect who designed the original Friendship Fountain Park.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jun-friendship-fountain-grand-reopening

[Keith-N-Jax]

Looks really nice they did a great job.

[Dapperdan]

Looks great. I can't wait to catch the night light show. Hopefully there are some police presence and Downtown Ambassadors there nightly to provide a sens of security for people wanting to see it at night.  I also would love to see street vendors lined up daily for the lunch and afternoon crowds, and maybe the fountian can be included in artwalk. It gives people a reason to walk across the main street bridge.

[KenFSU]

Incredible work by all those involved. The city had the opportunity to bulldoze yet another historic structure, and instead protected the fountain, renovated it, and made some incredibly smart improvements to the area. The crown jewel of the city has never looked more beautiful. It gives me some hope for this city after all. Now, if we can just string a few projects like this in a row, we'll be well on our way.

Again, great work. For my money, along with the Main Library, it's the best project of the last 5 or 6 years.

[Rocshaboc]

I was so proud to see a lot people that opening night enjoying the park. My wife & kids loved it.

[duvaldude08]

I cant believe they cut the park of like that for a resturant. This city has a history of being very backwards. However, I hope we continue to reverse that trend. The fountain and the park looks great and it was indeed done right this time!

[copperfiend]

The fountain will look great on ESPN this fall during our two Monday Night Football games. (I know, assuming the lockout ends)

[Coolyfett]

Peytons resume looks better, still not as good as Delaney, but Peyton got a few things done, so thats whats up.

[Fallen Buckeye]

Even with the old fountain there were usually enough people around that fountain area at night that I've always felt pretty secure. It's venturing further down the riverwalk at night that has made me a little wary at times. I assume with the improvements that the crowds should pick up even more which should add to a sense of security there without an increased police presence. Fountain looks great, and I have to say I'm glad that there is something in that roundabout now. That statue looks pretty good.

[duvaldude08]

I agree. I have went to the fountain all times of night and never felt in danger. It was always a safe and relaxing atmosphere.

[BridgeTroll]

Stopped by today at lunch and they appeared to be working the bugs out of the Christmas routine.  I understand the water is chlorinated... How will the overspray affect the landscaping?  There was only a light breeze this afternoon but there was definitely mist blowing across the park.

[Ajax]

I was happy to hear that they were renovating the fountain, but I have to admit that now that it's done, I really like this a lot more than I expected.  I remember taking field trips to MOSH (or whatever they called it back then - Children's Museum?) as a kid, and then going to Friendship Fountain with my bag lunch.  I think as I got older it kind of lost its magic for me.  I hate to be so corny, but seeing that there's grass and trees where there used to be concrete, and seeing these new pictures of the fountain in all its glory - I just want to sit in the grass under a tree and enjoy a peanut butter & jelly sandwich while I watch the fountain. 

[duvaldude08]

Stopped by today at lunch and they appeared to be working the bugs out of the Christmas routine.  I understand the water is chlorinated... How will the overspray affect the landscaping?  There was only a light breeze this afternoon but there was definitely mist blowing across the park.

I remember Bob saying that the overspray on the grass was a concern, not exactly sure how they addressed it though.

[JeffreyS]

My son loved playing in the over spray.

[Captain Zissou]

I was at the fountain from 10-10:30 on Saturday.  It was amazing.  Honestly it was one of the coolest things I've seen, in Jax or otherwise.  It made me proud of our city.  There were about 100-200 people there when the show ended at 10:30.  I am going to be there often I'm sure.