t’s in the name, folks. Kansas City doesn’t play when it comes to fountains — with 200+ sprinkled across the metro, Fountain Day is practically a local holiday. Here’s what you need to know before next Wednesday, April 23, marks the official return of all 47 city-operated fountains.
Water ‘bout the history?
The first fountains bubbled up out of need, not beauty, beginning as little more than public troughs. Western travelers in the 1800s would come through Kansas City needing a drink.
Then, landscape architect George Kessler designed the first city-built fountain at 15th Street and The Paseo. It was later destroyed, but his second fountain, built in 1899, still exists at 9th Street and The Paseo — as The Women’s Leadership Fountain. These works, part of the City Beautiful urban design movement at the time, inspired other local artists to get into the fountain business.
In 1973, the City of Fountains Foundation was born after a Hallmark executive traveled to Italy and found several fountains in less than ideal condition. That sparked the inspiration for the foundation to maintain KC’s beautiful fountains.
So... is it true?
We’ve all heard the legend of our City of Fountains moniker. Locals, say it with us: “Kansas City has the most fountains outside of Rome.” But is that history, or urban legend?
It’s hard to say, exactly — unless someone flies us out to Rome to do a count. According to the City of Fountain Foundation’s Linda Dillon in 2006, it’s true that Rome has fountains in the thousands. However, many of those have fallen into disrepair, meaning KC may have more working fountains than even the Eternal City.
Second place isn’t so bad. Give KC another 2,500 years, and we’ll catch up easy.
Need to know
When: Wednesday, April 23 at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Mill Creek Park fountain, Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd. + W. 47th St.
Why: While Fountain Fest has been postponed until 2026, you can still catch city leaders flipping the (proverbial) switch on all 48 KCMO-operated fountains, marking the start of warmer days in the metro.
Favorite fountains
We asked: “What are your favorite fountains in Kansas City?”
You answered:
“The beautiful fountain at Ward Parkway & Meyer Boulevard is my favorite. I walk and drive by it every day and am reminded that the neighborhood pitched together to have the fountain repaired and upgraded several years ago. It’s a wonderful area to live in!” — Jan F.
“NE Vivion Rd. and N. Oak Tfwy.” — Reader, Dale R.
“My favorite has to be the Laura Conyers Smith Fountain at Loose Park. Not only is the fountain stunning, but its surroundings this time of year make it even better.” — Bella R.
