Feature image for Tranquil Trickle

Tranquil Trickle

Public fountains create memorable places, but their design demands careful planning for water quality, safety, access, and long-term maintenance.

5 min read

Photo Credit: Kansas City, MO Parks and Recreation

Fountains can create an ambiance for any setting. Whether it’s the sound of water falling from one tier to the next, or dancing and changing color to the sound of a melodic tune, fountains typically evoke feelings of joy and peace.

While all of these feel-good terms sound like characteristics of amenities that parks and recreation departments should provide, there are many things to consider when contemplating adding a public fountain to facilities, or renovating an existing one. A fountain is a long-term, complicated commitment that requires making good initial choices to avoid problems later.

Practical Design

Let’s begin with some design basics: