MAYOR DALEY CELEBRATES SEASON OPENING OF CLARENCE BUCKINGHAM MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN
Phase One Restoration Completed
Release Date: 04/03/09
Mayor Richard M. Daley, 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly and Chicago Park District General Superintendent Tim Mitchell today “flipped the switch” to send water gushing through Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, marking the opening of the 82nd season. During its winter hiatus, the world-famous fountain went through Phase I of the approximately $25 million restoration project which included 235,000 square feet of new ADA accessible paving, installation of concrete stairs at the north and south, repairs to existing comfort stations and concession buildings, and restoration of the original landscape design with additional site lighting and benches. The historic fence surrounding the fountain was also repaired, including complete realignment, adjustments to shifted foundations, and replacement of missing components.
“The annual opening of Buckingham Fountain is a great time of the year because it signals summer in Chicago, warmer weather and the start of our many neighborhood festivals and special events that residents, visitors and families enjoy each year,” said Mayor Daley. “This fountain represents Chicago’s great history and its many unique traditions that generations of Chicagoans and visitors have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy for years to come.”
Restoration of The Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, one of the nation's most significant monuments is made possible through the public-private partnership between the Chicago Park District, Parkways Foundation and Charter One Bank.
Parkways Foundation was created in 1994 as an avenue to raise private funds for projects within the Chicago Park District (CPD) for the enrichment of the physical and cultural landscape of Chicago's neighborhoods.
Parkways Foundation working in partnership their board of directors, private donors, foundations and corporations, Parkways is able to provide support for projects that may not otherwise get funded in a timely manner.
Charter One Bank is the lead corporate supporter of the Buckingham Fountain Restoration Project.
“Over the years the Chicago Park District has been working with the Parkways Foundation to fund various park projects throughout the city of Chicago,” said Tim Mitchell, General Superintendent & CEO. “Private-public partnerships have allowed us to find new revenue streams that would take the pressure off tax payers. Charter One Bank is one such partner taking the lead in supporting the Buckingham Fountain Restoration Project.”
Chicago’s most recognizable fountain, Buckingham Memorial Fountain, is considered one of the largest and most beautiful in the world. A gift to the people of Chicago from Miss Kate Buckingham, a memorial to her brother Clarence, the fountain is often considered the most identifiable landmark in the city. Dedicated on August 26, 1927, the fountain was built at a cost of $750,000 and has since become a favorite backdrop for tourist snap shots, wedding photographers and filmmakers.
Edward H. Bennett designed the fountain to represent Lake Michigan with four sea horses, built by Marcel Loyau, to symbolize the four states that touch the lake: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indianaand Michigan. Bennett attributed the design specifically to the influence of the Latona Basinin Louis XIV's gardens at Versailles.
The fountain is constructed of Georgia pink marble with a water capacity of 1.5 million gallons. Depending on wind conditions, major displays use approximately 14,100 gallons of water per minute conveyed through 134 jets. Water is re-circulated from the base pool after the basins are filled and not drawn from the outside except to replace losses from wind and evaporation.
Previously, a computer out of Atlanta monitored the water and lights displays at the fountain, but in 1994, after the fountain renovation, the monitoring system was switched back to Chicagoin the original pump house at the southeast corner of the fountain.
Every evening, between now and the end of the season in the fall, the Clarence Buckingham Fountain light and music display will begin every hour, on the hour and last approximately 20 minutes. The fountain operates from 10 am until 11 pm daily.
- Contact Phone: 312.742.7529
- Publication Date: 04/03/09