[Splash Fountain at the Christian Science Center, Boston; 5/30/10]
Boston is especially well hydrated this season as the fountains have been turned on all over town. At the far end of the reflecting pool at the I.M. Pei-designed Christian Science Plaza, the splash fountain was on.
But the real surprise was the beautiful bronze fountain near Tremont St on the Boston Common. The Brewer Fountain first graced the Common in 1868, but sputtered out in 2003 from neglect. The fountain, "the only known surviving copy of the original featured at the 1855 Paris World Fair," was eventually dismantled, restored to glory, then reinstalled on the Common. The pump was turned on just last week. (Interesting story in the Globe.)
[Brewer Fountain on Boston Common]
Over on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, kids were playing in the fun Rings Fountain, which shoots water 30 to 40 feet in the air in unpredictable patterns.
[Rings Fountain]
Another unexpected find was the Harbor Fog sculpture, also on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, which emits a cooling fog. Apparently there are nautical bell sounds and lights that interact with passersby, though we only saw the lights.
[Harbor Fog; Customs House in background]
Maria mentioned last week my old, defunct The Sensitive Traveler blog, in which I made recommendations for easing the stress of travel. It occurs to me that these fountains offer visitors (and natives) the perfect antidote this summer for heat, noise, and other city stressors.
My, you have enough heat there for kids to splash in the fountains, while here we have cold endless rain, bleh! My garden is sulking (and I am too). Lovely photos, lovely places, Leslee!
Posted by: marja-leena | Wednesday, June 02, 2010 at 10:50 PM
Beautiful photos. Are you sure it's not Rome?
Posted by: Relatively Retiring | Thursday, June 03, 2010 at 02:33 AM
Marja-Leena: We've been very lucky with the weather this spring, making up for a miserable spring last year, including many ruined gardens and local farm production. Hope things warm up and dry up for you soon!
RR: Thanks! It's definitely not Rome, for better or worse!
Posted by: Leslee | Thursday, June 03, 2010 at 12:12 PM