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Revamp of Fountains at Flushing Meadows Corona Park to Start in the Fall

Existing Conditions

Feb. 15, 2018 By Tara Law

The overhaul of the historic fountains in Flushing Meadows Corona Park is scheduled to begin this fall.

The $5.2 million reconstruction project will bring significant change to the reflecting pool and two fountains that make up the Fountains of the Fair, located south of the iconic Unisphere.

The three sections—comprised of the reflecting Pool, the center fountain and large fountain– -were constructed for the 1964 World’s Fair. The pools, although revamped in 2000, fell into disrepair and were emptied after they sustained damage from Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

The revamp will start with the conversion of the reflecting pool into a “mist garden,” said Parks Department spokesperson Meghan Lalor. The garden will consist of specialized mist and fog jets that will create a cool cloud that will rise between 3 and 5 feet from the surface.

Parks Dept.

The mist garden is expected to provide relief for visitors on hot days. The area will be paved with an art deco pattern to compliment the aesthetic of the World’s Fair. New seating and lights will also be added.

The Parks Dept. will then work on transforming the center fountain into a sunken performance space that will be surrounded by lawn, according to plans. Additionally, the large fountain will be converted into an area for water play—with one section dedicated to pre-school children and the other for all age groups. There will also be spray showers.

Parks held public “visioning sessions” in 2015 and 2016 to get community input on the reconstruction. The community wanted more water options and called on parks to keep the Art Deco details of the first World’s Fair held in the park in 1939.