Keep this fountain going

Originally Posted May 7, 2006 by Guest

Hello i'm new here but I just heard about the possoble changes for our beautiful fountain    . I believe it should be preserved to it's former glory. There are so few of these fountains left. Also changing it for kids is great but it looses it's beauty that way Like the fountain in Regency Mall which has now been converted for children. As a child I can still recall throwing pennies in that fountain which my Granfather gave to me but thats another story the story here is not to let this become a memory. I use to live in New York 5 years ago. I would often visit Flushing Meadow Park for those of you who have seen it in your visits or those of you who lived there should know what I mean. This was the same park to house the 1939&1964 worlds fair. Now this place had fountains as far as could see and what has become of them you may ask. They still exsist but sadley they are kept neglected and are ran once a year now if your lucky to see it when it runs. Otherwise kids skate in what once was a beautiful fountain of the 60's era with the unisphere. Anyway my piont is this please for those of you who care enough to preserve history don't let this fountain become part of the past keep up the fight to restore this beaty to her former glory of 1965 when she was completed of her construction and lets fight to keep this historical landmark alive. Thanks to those of you who view this I truely hope we can make a difference in the preservation of this fountain.

Originally Posted: June 07 2006 by elained1962

I have grown old here in Jacksonville.  I remember school field trips to our beautiful fountain when it was still a park without all the restaurants around.  It had a beautiful two story gazebo with snack machines.  Progress removed it.  I understand the need for our kids to have nice parks and places to go and I feel the city is providing them well.  Cuba Hunter park is a fine example off of Emerson.  It is a wonderful park and even offers a skate board area with ramps and all.  Do we have to make everything over for children to play?  How about a peaceful meditative place for them to enjoy.  Does it always have to have toys, swings, places to splash in?   I loved the fountain as a child and I love it as an adult, however it does need to be restored and have all the jets working.  I had hoped my son will be married at the fountain next year now I hear we may not have a fountain next year.  I sure hope we do.  Our City sure is changing and in ways I'm not happy about. Is anyone listening? thanks for letting me vent.  I will be glad to support any efforts to save our fountain.

Originally Posted: June 12 2006 by Valerie

I have grown old here in Jacksonville.  I remember school field trips to our beautiful fountain when it was still a park without all the restaurants around.  It had a beautiful two story gazebo with snack machines.  Progress removed it.  I understand the need for our kids to have nice parks and places to go and I feel the city is providing them well.  Cuba Hunter park is a fine example off of Emerson.  It is a wonderful park and even offers a skate board area with ramps and all.  Do we have to make everything over for children to play?  How about a peaceful meditative place for them to enjoy.  Does it always have to have toys, swings, places to splash in?   I loved the fountain as a child and I love it as an adult, however it does need to be restored and have all the jets working.  I had hoped my son will be married at the fountain next year now I hear we may not have a fountain next year.  I sure hope we do.  Our City sure is changing and in ways I'm not happy about. Is anyone listening? thanks for letting me vent.  I will be glad to support any efforts to save our fountain.

Originally Posted: June 19 2006 by Keep the past alive

Hi it has been some time since I checked this site. I wanted to thank those of you who took the time to look at my original posting. It truely pleases me to see that others care enough to stand up and say something about it. Keep the fight going tell friends and this could get enough momentum to keep it running and have it renovated again which truely would be a treasure to me. I am young but I enjoy vehicles and other such items of the past like this fountain there are not enough of these left that we can afford to lose another one in the name of progress. I hope we all can make a differance. Thanks for your support.

Originally posted Jun 22, 2006

I would like to thank each and everyone that has posted for their support for Friendship Fountain.

Remember we can help the most by making our voices heard at the City Council and Mayor's office.

For contact information visit this page:
http://taylorhardwick.com/u%20can%20help.htm

Speak often and loudly

-Bob

Originally Posted Jul 30, 2006 by Super Guest

Your quest to save the fountain would be received 100 times more favorably if you would remove Andy Johnson from the presentation.  He has alienated, almost without exception, all of Jacksonville's elected officials.  Seeing him walk up to the speakers platform will immediately put the city council on the defensive and set some opinions against you before he even opens his mouth.

I understand that Andy is outspoken and appears to feel that the Current Administration is not to be trusted however he is a voice of support for Friendship Fountain and I welcome all voices of support for the repair/improvement of Friendship Park and the Fountain.

I would hope that the fate of Friendship Fountain would not be political in nature but enjoy very wide bipartisan support and our City Leaders would welcome all voices on a subject of this nature regardless of their personal feelings...

-Bob

I have seen all the new information on the fountain. It would seem to me we started to get our piont across however they seem to be pretty set in there decision to Demolish/Renovate our friendship fountain. I don't care how they try to word it with there fancy terms and expresions changing this fountain in any way shape or form ruins the history of this beautiful landmark which has stood for decades only now to  get demolished it's survive the y2k craze and seen the next millenium and get demolished? I feel something that has seen so much history go by should not be tampered with in any way shape or form. So the only joy that I could get from thier dissapionting news would be the "RENOVATION" of this fountain (NOT CHANGEING IT) to suit more people. This is a quiet park and thats how it should stay we don't need more niose and commotion. We need peace and tranquility in todays day and age. With all these high gas prices and real estate and everything else costing everyone up the a** we need a place to clear our thoughs from everyday living. Having a kiddie park is not going to help matters. And if kids need a place to play there is a nice fenced in park with swings and stuff right on the river walk. Why should we always have to sacrafice such nice landmarks. Anyway I appreciate all of you who listened to me droan on and for those of you who took the time to view my first posting. Thanks again.

I agree with "Keep the Past Alive" that regardless of the lip service given that "We are not going to demolish the Fountain" by the Mayor, that that is their ultimate intention and unless we keep this matter focused in the Public eye we will wake up one morning to the sound of wrecking balls...

Make sure you contact your City Council Representative, if you talk to any prospective candidates ask them what they think/know about the plans for Friendship Fountain and get them to agree that demolishing the Fountain is not what the City wants nor needs...

On a separate but related note, Football season has started and Jacksonville is scheduled for at least 4 Nationally Televised Home Games starting with this upcoming Saturday game against Tampa, and no Fountain to speak of, I certainly hope the city ensures that at least the Outer Ring is running during these games...

I refuse to give up as long as the Fountain is still standing and I can voice my opinion...

-Bob

Hi I wanted to place another ad again in this to those of you who have shown your support thank you and please make family and friends aware we really could use all the support we can get on this. I was commenting in another forum I started that we should try to have the fountain claimed a historical landmark then that would be half the battle there cause if it were to  be claimed a historical landmark it would be pretty hard for them to touch the fountain. So please pass this information around and please view my other postings. Again A special Thanks to Bob for his hard work and efforts if the battle to keep our fountain out of the jaw of destruction. Thanks Bob your a great man. .