Fairmount Park Conservancy has released new designs for the John Welsh Memorial Fountain and surrounding landscape in West Fairmount Park. Reflecting insight shared by neighbors and park users, the designs include a functioning fountain as well as learning and play features, comfortable seating, public art, new trees and plants, and more.

The fountain was first built after the 1876 Centennial Exposition and was a popular gathering place for several decades in the early 20th century. Unfortunately, the fountain has now been dry for several decades. The area around the fountain now also faces challenges such as minimal shade and unsafe pedestrian access.

To address these issues, the Conservancy engaged landscape architects Nelson Byrd Woltz to restore the fountain and reimagine the area with community input. The goal is for the space to once again serve as a welcoming and lively destination for the park’s neighbors and beyond.

Before creating the designs, the Conservancy and Nelson Byrd Woltz led an extensive community engagement process in 2023 and 2024. The design team used an online survey, community events, and interviews to gather perspectives from community members and park users.

In the new designs, the fountain and its landscape will have year-round use thanks to many welcoming activities and amenities. The fountain will be restored, along with the nearby pedestrian walkways. On the north side of the fountain near the Please Touch Museum, the park design invites learning and play with a water feature and climbable boulders. Closer to Parkside, the atmosphere becomes more meditative and includes public art. 

New signs will highlight Parkside’s rich history and cultural significance, and new connections to nearby parks and the neighborhood will improve access. Traffic calming strategies – including narrower roadways, better lighting, and accessible crossings – will focus on pedestrian safety. 

Sustainability and environmental resilience are also part of the Nelson Byrd Woltz design. New native trees will provide shade and more than double the diversity of tree species onsite. This will create a resilient canopy that is more resistant to pests and extreme weather events. The design also calls for native ornamental shrubs and perennials, to support biodiversity across the park. 

Visit the Welsh Fountain project page for more information.