Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Home › News › Local News

City Park fountain springs back to life

A century ago, a spectacular sight greeted DNC visitors - and it's up and running again

By John C. Ensslin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 20, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

Text size  

Please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, or enable JavaScript for your browser to view the video player.

Viewers admire the rebuilt fountain in Ferril Lake in City Park, an update of the one that wowed viewers years ago.

Photo by Barry Gutierrez © The Rocky

Viewers admire the rebuilt fountain in Ferril Lake in City Park, an update of the one that wowed viewers years ago.

Related Links

More Local News

More stories »

The fountain on City Park's Ferril Lake sprang back to life Tuesday night in colorful bursts of water that gushed like fireworks - just as it did a century ago, the last time the Democratic National Convention came to Denver.

A crowd of about 700 people cheered as the new fountain shot geyserlike streams of water lit in red, white and blue into the air for the first time since the rusty remnants of the last electric fountain petered out in the 1970s.

As city parks officials threw the switch, the Denver Municipal Band belted out a John Philip Sousa march, playing just as it did back when the old fountain burst onto the scene in 1908.

"I think it's great," said Dick Gannon, a planner with the Denver Parks and Recreation Department who had worked 12 years to rebuild the fountain, which had crumbled into the mud at the lake bottom. "It's been a long time coming, and it turned out better than I expected."

Gannon said a turning point in his efforts came when Larry Kerecman offered to help as the founder of the Friends of the Electric Fountain. Both men wore period garb in honor of the ceremony.

To be safe, they quietly tested out the fountain Monday night. "It was special," Kerecman said. "It exceeded my expectations, and they were pretty high."

The new fountain, constructed at a cost of $3.2 million, is run by computer software and LED lights that consume about 80 percent less energy that the old fountain, which in 1908 required three men and a rowboat to operate.

As the display started, residents who had been sitting on the grass lawn by the boat house pavilion surged to the edge of the lake for a better view as the computer put the fountain through its paces. The streaming water took on various shapes, ranging from a beehive to Old Faithful.

Mayor John Hickenlooper said he hopes Denver residents will stay in town during next week's convention to enjoy things like the fountain and all the exhibits that are timed to coincide with the DNC. "This is a moment in history," he told the crowd. "I hope all of you come down every day and enjoy this."

Comments

  • August 20, 2008

    9:03 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    treecat writes:

    Denver residents shuld leave town during next week's convention!

    Vist a Beach.

  • August 20, 2008

    9:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    CWW writes:

    Great, now the homeless people can take a shower.

  • August 20, 2008

    10:19 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Scott writes:

    So is Denver going to now keep this fountain operating or is this just more of Lickenpoorer licking the pooper of the DNC?

    Scott

  • August 20, 2008

    11:35 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    EdVMorales writes:

    What a WASTE of $$$$. Need to help the homeless. DNC is a big fat JOKE. Good thing I don't vote. EVER!!!

  • August 20, 2008

    12:25 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    knr writes:

    Its a shame it takes the DNC coming to town for the City to honor its past and repair/restore the Park system that previous generations left to the current residents of Denver. I guess there isn't "usually" enough glory in maintaining assets, just in funding new programs and initiatives by short changing the maintenance and upkeep of basic City amenities.

  • August 20, 2008

    1:25 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    junglegymco writes:

    Wow - you peeps hit it right on the head. Let's get rid of every dime of spending that doesn't have a tangible result. For a start, let's cut down all of the trees in Denver and use them for firewood and building material. We could then eliminate all libraries and museums. Why should I pay for a bunch of old books and art? Then let's get ride of bike paths, parks, and all the statues and artwork throughout the city. Who needs em and how do they "profit" anyone? Melt down the statues and send me a rebate check. From there we could get rid of public hospitals (like Denver General), police protection and fire departments. I never use any of those anyway, so why should I have to pay? I'll just buy a giant first aid kit, a 9 mm and 4 large fire extinguishers. Ah, how much better our society would be if we only listened to the trampings of such brilliance.

  • August 20, 2008

    1:50 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Rallyracer7 writes:

    Junglegymco,

    HILARIOUS!!!!!

    I love the ranting and raving about how Denver is wasting its tax dollars on "wastes." Come on people, you are just wasting your time trying to find things wrong with the world because you didn't do better for yourself in life. Oh no, you have to pay taxes...... Get used to it, so does everyone else, and it helps keep Colorado, and the United States of America up and running. I know this will probably start some debate on Bush, and how he is "running this country into the ground," but please try to refrain from the usual liberal mumbo jumbo.

  • August 20, 2008

    2:25 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    missmilehi writes:

    knr I totally agree - all of this "great" stuff is just a front to look good to the Dems, it's sick. It's false city-love.

  • August 20, 2008

    2:44 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    cedykeman1 writes:

    I think it's just great that the fountain is working as it's supposed too. I love walking around the lake and watching the wildlife, people and all the scenery nearby. I am glad that we have city park and not just more blocks of buildings, alleys and roads.

    I am a history buff and that lake and surrounding land is rich with history.