Lovejoy Fountain Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lovejoy Fountain Park |
|
|---|---|
The fountain and park in 2015
|
|
| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| Area | 0.75 acres (0.30 ha) |
| Created | 1966 |
| Operated by | Portland Parks & Recreation |
| Status | Open 5 a.m. to midnight daily |
Lovejoy Fountain Park (also called Lovejoy Plaza) is a special city park in downtown Portland, Oregon, USA. It's famous for its unique design, which makes it look like a mountain stream flowing right through the city.
Contents
Discover Lovejoy Fountain Park
Lovejoy Fountain Park is a cool place to visit and explore. It offers a peaceful escape in the middle of a busy city. People enjoy walking, relaxing, and even wading in the fountain's water.
A Unique Design and History
Lovejoy Fountain Park was finished in 1966. It was designed by a very famous landscape architect named Lawrence Halprin. This park was the first of many fountains and open spaces Halprin created in the South Auditorium District of Portland.
Who Designed the Park?
Lawrence Halprin was an American landscape architect. He imagined the park's concrete shapes to look like a natural landscape. The park connects to other green spaces, like Keller Fountain Park, through paths lined with trees. The park is named after Asa Lovejoy. He was one of the first people to own land in what became Portland.
What Makes it Special?
Besides the amazing fountain, the park also has a large building called a pavilion. This pavilion is covered in copper and was designed by Charles Willard Moore. He worked closely with Lawrence Halprin.
A Park for Everyone
Soon after it opened, Life Magazine wrote about Lovejoy Fountain Park. They called it a "Mid-City Mountain Stream." The magazine said the park felt like a "piece of wilderness transplanted." They described it as wet and dry, shiny and still. It was a place that invited people to wade, climb, and think quietly.
Protecting This Masterpiece
In 2001, a group called the Halprin Landscape Conservancy was formed. Their goal is to "spruce up and protect" Lovejoy Plaza. They also look after Ira Keller Fountain and Pettygrove Park. These three parks together are considered some of Mr. Halprin's best works.
