$1 million worth of love flows in for fountains

Among fountains needing repair, the Seville Light fountain at 47th and JC Nichols Parkway needs $500,000 worth of attention.

Private efforts to preserve the city’s fountains have raised $1 million, supporters said this week.

The inner workings of the Seville Light fountain which needs repair.

The effort that started in June with a rally at Union Station seeks to generate $2.5 million or more.

It continued last year with “splash mobs,” and children’s activities around fountains in need of repair.

At year’s end, the Hall family donated $500,000 to repair a broken waterfall feature at the William Volker Fountain near Volker Boulevard and Oak Street.

The non-profit City of Fountains Foundation is optimistic the group will reach its fundraising goal this year, said Casey Cassias, president of the group.

“To use a fountain analogy, the pressure is building and the commitments are starting to flow,” he said.

The money is intended to restore eight fountains most in need of critical repairs and to preserve and endow the city’s 48 fountains.

All of the fountains need or will need repairs or upgrades that surpass the city maintenance budget for them, Cassias said.

Any person, business or foundation or charitable trust interested in donating can contact the foundation at 816-842-2299, he said.

More information about the Wish Upon a Fountain Campaign