The ever observant Spokane Reviewed raised an issue last week about our new public interactive fountain that has been bothering us for some time. The issue raised has to do with an increasing number of parents using the BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair) approach when taking their kids to enjoy the fountain. While we haven't seen this happen, hearing about it points to an obvious oversight by those who implemented the vision of the fountain: The absolute dearth of seating provided somewhat close by. The result is people bringing their own chairs. Not what we'd like to see, but we chalk it up as proof of how much they like the fountain.
When the fountain opened last year, we thought seating might be an issue. Parents are only going to stand around so long in the hot sun while the kids play in the cool refreshing water. Either this was a something the budget couldn't quite cover or someone felt that it might invite 'undesireables' to linger longer than desired. We're inclined to think it might be the latter. Looking around downtown at some of our psuedo public spaces one sees a similar pattern.
Post Street was vacated in the late 90s for the redeveloped Riverpark Square Mall. At the base of the escalators is the makings for a great public gathering place with the terrazzo map of the Inland Northwest. Alas, only two benches are provided for seating. Bad choice.
The Parkade public fountain is another ideal gathering place downtown, except for the spikes bolted to the seating surface along the lower pool. Spokane's downtown has made some great strides in the past few years, and the new fountain is an incredible model for future urban amenities. We can't help but think though, that some small changes (like added seating) would greatly improve and not detract from our limited gathering spots downtown.
Don't forget the new wavy wall that was built across the street south west of the fountain. With it's occasional raised brick, it too was built so that no one could sit on it.
Posted by: spokaloo | July 11, 2006 at 05:38 PM