Kansas City is known for many things: jazz music, barbecue, and fountains. Kansas City is actually known as the "city of fountains" second only to Paris, France. I have wanted to do a fountain tour for some time but finding time in our busy summer schedule has always been difficult. Finally we had a down weekend and with a couple of lunch visits, I made it happen.
I found a self-guided tour guide on the internet developed by the City of Fountain Foundation. The guide list 32 fountains. I invited a few of our friends to join us and we set off to see as many of the fountains as possible.
1. The Northland Fountain North Oak Trafficway and Vivion Road
The kids knew and recognized this one. It is most popular during winter as it is on the only fountain that is kept on during the winter months creating a large magical ice formation. The kids also knew that the fountains are colored twice each year: blue in April for Go Blue Day (kick off to Child Abuse Prevention Month) and pink in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
2. Children's Fountain 32nd and North Oak Trafficway
This is the second fountain found in the northland. I pass it everyday on my way to work but this is the first time I have stopped. The fountain reminds me of the Sound of Music but it really shows many different children at play.
A fountain about children playing inspired our children to play. The Short Chic and her friends enjoyed splashing in the water and jumping off the sides of the fountain.
3. Ilus Davis Fountain 11th and Oak
Our first stop downtown was the Ilus Davis Fountain which is located in a pretty park right across the street from City Hall. The kids loved the waterfall feature that ran into a shallow pool below the fountain. By the third fountain I have figured out how difficult it is to keep hot little girls out of cool water!
4. City Hall Fountains 12th and Oak
5. Barney Allis Plaza Fountain 12th and Wyandotte
In my younger years this was the place for weddings but now I mostly see large corporate events happening here. Located a block or so from the convention center I am sure this fountain sees a lot of traffic.
6. The Tenth Street Fountain 10th and Main Street
This fountain is located in the heart of downtown at the intersection of busy streets.
7. The Muse of the Missouri Fountain 9th and Main
Also located downtown this fountain is in the median of Main Street a few blocks away from the River Market and the Missouri River. Water cascades down and joins other fountains and pools.
8. The Kansas City Star Fountain 18th and Grand
9. Henry Bloch Fountain Main Street and Pershing
Named after the co-founder of H&R Block, who was born in Kansas City, stands a fountain outside of Union Station. The fountain could not be accessed any closer than what we got as it sits in the median of two busy streets. The fountain sounds large booms as it shoots water high in the sky and performs a water show. It reminded me of Old Faithful at Yellowstone National Park although the eruptions are much closer together. The girls enjoyed the falling mist that came over us after each eruption!
10. The Eagle Scout Memorial Fountain 39th and Gillham
This fountain was originally part of the Railroad Station in New York City. We felt the Boy Scout Eagle Badge was added to this fountain after the fact which was confirmed with a few internet searches. I guess the original fountain had a clock in the center before it was dedicated to those who have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
11. The Mermaid Fountain Broadway and Nichols Blvd
Located on The Country Club Plaza the Mermaid Fountain was the first fountain the girls threw coins to make a wish. The fountain has two mermaids blowing horns into a pool of water.
12. Diana Waterfall Wornall and Ward Parkway
Also located on The County Club Plaza, this fountain is about Diana, Roman Goddess of the Night. This casting of Diana playing with cherubs is one of only two made. The other can be found in England. Currently, this fountain is right in front of the Intercontinental Hotel water fall and it was the second fountain we encountered that was not working.
13. Neptune Fountain 47th and Wornall
This fountain is also on The Country Club Plaza. It was cast in 1911 and the plague beside it list a rather extensive history of ownership before it came to the Plaza in 1953.
14.Seville Light Fountain 47th and Nichols Parkway
Kansas City's sister city is Seville, Spain and the Country Club Plaza has a lot of influence from Seville, Spain. This is the Seville Light Fountain and it is currently not working an in a state of repair. The tiles around the base are all loose and torn up but it stands proudly right next to the traffic lights.
15. J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain 47th and Main
J.C. Nichols was the developer responsible for The Country Club Plaza. It is only fitting that one of the most recognizable fountains on The Plaza is named for J.C. Nichols. The fountain has four warriors on horseback battling different animals. Each horseman is said to represent a different river of the world {The Mississippi, The Volga, The Seine, and The Rhine.
By the time we reached this fountain, the kids were hot. The parents were tired. I think we were all about done! As soon as we reached this fountain the girls whipped their shoes off at a speed I had not seen since we were at the first fountain! They enjoyed wading around in the fountain and soaking their hot feet. {I am not sure this is socially acceptable or even legal fountain behavior!}
16. The Firefighter's Fountain 31st and Broadway
I think each community suffers tragedies. Ours is no different. In 1988 several firefighters lost their lives in the line of duty. After that, fundraising efforts began to create a public memorial to all firefighters but specifically those that have fallen in the line of duty.
After visiting 16 of the 32 fountains listed in the self-guided tour, The Short Chic informed me that she was ready to stop after the first five. Go figure! So instead of dragging her along to see any more, I set out on my own to see the other 16. Some of them were in parts of town that I have never been in before!
17.Carl J. DiCapo Fountain Cliff Drive West of Van Brunt
I had never driven on Cliff Drive before. It is a scenic byway located on a high bluff overlooking the Missouri River and the east bottoms. The Fountain is tall! If you did not know better you might for a second think it a natural waterfall. Sadly, what my camera did not capture was the tent community living at the top of the fountain.
18. Northeast Concourse Benton and Gladstone Blvd
Located in Kansas City's "Northeast" traditionally a very Italian part of Kansas City is this large fountain. It is flush with the ground and has fountains that shoot up in the air. I could imagine children running through the water on hot summer days!
19. Women's Leadership Fountain 9th and Paseo
Named after a handful of local women who were influential in Kansas City development, this Women's Leadership Fountain is located right on the Paseo a few blocks from my work. It is located in a difficult place to park and not in the best of neighborhoods. I took this photo from my car.
20. Westside Fountain Summit & Southwest Blvd
A colorful tiled fountain welcomes visitors to the Westside of Kansas City. The Westside is known for it's large Hispanic population and some of the best Mexican food Kansas City has to offer.
21. Liberty Memorial Fountain Pershing and Main
At the entrance to the World War I Museum is the Liberty Memorial Fountain. This area is breathtaking. It has great views of the city, well maintained grounds, and interesting structures. The fountain itself is cascades down several terraces. It is so sleek you can't really see it from the parking lot and you really have to walk down the steps toward the front door.
22. Crown Center Square - Grand and Pershing
Another popular fountain in Kansas City. This one sits in the courtyard across from Crown Center and next to Hallmark. For generations children have enjoyed running through the jets of water as they shoot out of the ground (until recently when Crown Center decided to cease all playing in the fountain for safety reasons).
23. Spirit of Freedom Fountain - Cleveland & Cleaver II Blvd
I am in this part of town frequently for work but yet I had never been in the park that is home to this fountain. Inside a pool is a pyramid with a bronze/gold colored structure at the top. Water cascades down the pyramid and other fountains shoot up from the pool. Also worth noting is the old bridge next to the park and another fountain, not on the self guided list, is across the way.
24. Garden of the Stars - 4900 Starlight Road
Located inside the gates to Starlight Theater (Kansas City's outdoor amphitheater home to small concert venues and off-broadway productions) is the Garden of the Stars fountain. This is one I was familiar with just from attending shows with the BFF at Starlight. Multiple shooting fountains curve around the terrace at the main entrance.
25. Delbert J. Haff Circle - Meyer Blvd and Swope Parkway
A large pool of water with three shooting fountains (one large and two small ones) sit in the median of the road. A bust of a man, I am assuming Delbert J. Haff is also located near the fountain. I am assuming that because I did not get out and walk to this fountain due to the traffic.
26. Meyer Circle Sea Horse - Meyer Blvd and Ward Parkway
Another fountain located in the middle of busy traffic circle. A large pyramid structure sits inside a large pool of water. On top of the pyramid is a level of sea horses with a basin of carved lions heads. The lions heads are shooting water.
On top of that are three cherubs supporting a smaller identical basin. The top level is a naked child riding a dolphin, which was missing for several years after vandals destroyed it. The fountain has since been fully restored.
27. Mirror Pool Fountain - 62nd and Ward Parkway
Just a few blocks away from the Meyer Circle Sea Horses is the Mirror Pool Fountain. It is also located in the median and is relatively "quiet" next to its flasher, bigger neighbor. This fountain is a small pool with three small fountains down the middle.
28. Loose Park Rose Garden Fountain - 51st and Wornall
Loose Park is a beautiful park with a breathtaking rose garden. In the center of the rose garden is the Rose Garden Fountain. It is a fairly new fountain put into replace an old, leaky fountain. This fountain has a large basin sitting in a large pool of water. On the pedestal of the basin are carved roses. Water shoots from all over. Many weddings are performed right here in this garden and it is easy to see why.
29. Vietnam Veterans Fountain - 43rd and Broadway
The internet research says the many pools of water represent the nations growing involvement in the war leading to two pools that represent the United States' divided opinion about this war. There is a curved wall behind it that holds the names of the local hero's who lost their lives in this war.
30. Volker Memorial Fountain - Volker Blvd and Rockhill
This fountain is near the grounds of UMKC and I pass it frequently on my way to my part time job. Passing something and visiting it are two totally different things. The fountain is actually on the Stowers Foundation and honors organ donors. Today, I enjoyed the mild Kansas City weather and walked the grounds of this expansive fountain. It is many different levels and many different water structures and features a trio of mime's dancing.
31. Westin Crown Center Hotel Lobby - Main and Pershing
This is the only fountain, I did not go and personally visit. I have seen it many times. It is located inside the Westin Crown Center. I have mixed feeling about an indoor fountain being on the list. So, I opted to skip it. If you are hanging out around Crown Center, you can walk through their lobby and head upstairs to see the massive indoor fountain.
32. Kauffman Stadium Fountain -I70 and Stadium Drive
Number Thirty-two on the list is the fountains at Kauffman Stadium home of the Kansas City Royals. The fountains are gorgeous and entertain many who visit the baseball field. My only complaint with them being on this list is you can't enjoy them without purchasing a ticket to the game. Even at Starlight, another paid venue on the list, has their gates open during the day and the fountains can be viewed for free.
This post has been in my draft folder for many months, having gotten a little "lost" in all of our Disney planning. But, hey, since it is October and our Kansas City Royals are in the national spotlight...it is fitting to end the post with their fountain!
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