Poll: Revive the cascade fountains at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
It's unlikely the cascade fountains flanking the Rocky Steps will ever be turned back on. Photo: Mike D'Onofrio/Axios
It's time to get the Rocky Steps fountains flowing again, Axios Philadelphia readers say.
The big picture: 89% of the more than 370 people who responded to our recent poll say they want to see the cascade fountains restored to their original glory and turned back on.
Catch up quick: The massive fountains spanning several basins that flank the front steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art were built in the 1920s.
- But they were drained in the 1970s because they became de facto swimming holes, and too many people were getting hurt.
- Maintenance issues in the 1990s permanently knocked them out of commission.
State of play: Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration shut down rumors that the fountains might be revived, saying they're only for decorative purposes.
What you're saying: Here are some of our favorite responses:
💧 Pro flow:
- We should be able to have nice things and stop letting morons ruin them for the rest of us.
- It should be reactivated, but certain restrictions should be in place.
- A fountain that does not flow doesn't make sense.
- The sensory experience of water, plus the views of Rocky, would make this already amazing place even better.
🚫 No flow:
- The maintenance costs and the liability are just not worth it.
- Accidents waiting to happen.
- There would be too many cleaning issues.
- They'd be full of kids, which would look worse than being empty.
💠Mike's thought bubble: Fountains sitting idle feel forgotten, and the trash and stagnant water don't help. So why not do something with them?
- 💡 For example: Readers suggested putting up an art installation, filling them with planters, or jazzing them up with fun lighting.