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CHILDREN’S FOUNTAIN

Kansas City, Missouri

Anyone who views North Kansas City, Missouri's newest fountain will have no doubt the City considers its children to be its finest asset. The 100-foot-long by 60-foot-wide Children's Fountain playfully states the City's affection for its youngsters.

Larkin provided all the engineering design for this $1.7 million fountain, which is the largest of its kind in America. This fountain is the only fountain in the world that includes sculpture and is designed to run year-round in freezing weather.

Several bronze statues of children in various poses are arranged on pedestals of increasing heights. Each statue is located where several arching streams of water meet. Playful bubbler jets are located between each statue. The 100-horsepower pump recirculates approximately 6,000 gallons of water each minute. A reinforced concrete plaza area with brick pavers set in concrete surrounds the fountain. Some pavers display the names of those who made donations to the fountain.

The fountain is located on a triangular piece of land, which is surrounded by roadways to the east and west. Water levels were designed to be low enough for viewing by passing drivers, yet high enough for development of site drainage.