Finally: Unisphere Fountain Restored!

One small step for the remains of the 1964 World’s Fair site: the Unisphere Fountain has been restored and reopened after nearly $2 million in improvements! Earlier this week Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe & Co. cut the ribbon at the site of the Queens icon at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The Unisphere was officially designated a New York City Landmark in 1995, and this is the first time the fountain has been operational since that designation was made. In the below video, Benepe says the fountains haven't been on for 15 to 20 years, and he refers to the area as the Versailles in New York, "the palace grounds for regular people."

Prior to this makover—in fact, just last summer—the fountain was so neglected that it began to sprout grass through its cracks.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on August 14, 2010 1:10 PM

Comments [rss]

DFHdez

I took this picture in 2007. I remember the fountain working through most of the US Open session back then.

newsyspice

It worked, but barely. The fountains could not be turned on for long periods of time, and the water pressue was so bad the water only shot up to about half its intended height.

I've been out at the park a lot this past summer (I ride my bike there several days a week), and the Unisphere just looks fantanstic. They've had her on the last several days. People are walking by, stopping, and marveling at finally seeing this thing the way it was intended to be seen. I can't wait to see it lit up at night.

The skateboarders, by the way, have a new facility all to themselves -- the old, abandoned fountain to the south, right before you hit the overpass to Meadow Lake, was replaced this summer with a new skateboard park. That facility is never empty.

They're also restoring the World's Fair Boathouse on Meadow Lake. That is looking beautiful. They just finished the roof.

Now...could we fix up the Fountain of the Planets? And the bike/walking path around Meadow Lake? Please?