Why isn’t Buckingham Fountain on yet?

April 15, 2010|By Erika Slife, Tribune reporter

You asked: Why isn't Buckingham Fountain operating yet? Is there some funding problem?

Answer: Chicago Park District General Superintendent Timothy Mitchell says the fountain will be turned on soon, probably next week. The Park District simply waits until it believes we've had our last freeze of the season. (If you've seen it on this spring, that was likely just a test, the Park District says.) Some years, the fountain goes full bore at the beginning of April. Other years, it's the beginning of May. Last year, it was April 3 — at a time when, curiously, the overnight low was only 37 degrees. Not so curiously, an International Olympic Committee evaluation team was in town, sizing up the city. In any case, the timing has nothing to do with funding, Mitchell said. Look for shooting water and colored lights soon. And if a new proposal by Mayor Richard Daley takes effect, the atmosphere around the fountain will be even wetter and more colorful, because beer, wine and liquor sales will be allowed there.

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