jones park fountain - East St. Louis Action Research Project

JONES PARK FOUNTAIN 

EMMA L. WILSON KING FOUNDATION 

CONTENTS 

JONES PARK FOUNTAIN PROJECT 

SUMMARY 

JONES PARK FOUNTAIN SITE ANALYSIS 

STAGE 1: 16 FOUNTAIN PROPOSALS 

STAGE 2: 4 FINALIST FOUNTAIN 

PROPOSALS



Jones Park: Emma L. Wilson King Foundation Fountain Design 

The Emma L. Wilson King Foundation was created in memory of Emma King, an 

active member of the East St. Louis community. Her husband and twelve children formed 

the foundation in 2005. The foundation decided to commemorate her legacy by 

rehabilitating the Jones Park lily pond/ fountain. 

The foundation contacted University of Illinois landscape architect students who 

were working with the East St. Louis Action Research Project (ESLARP), an 

organization that is dedicated to the revitalization of East St. Louis. The design process 

began with a site visit and meeting with family members of Mrs. King. While on site, 

students quickly presented preliminary design ideas to the family. Students took 

feedback from the family and later created 16 individual designs based on their 

comments. 

From those 16 original designs, four were chosen as finalists for the fountain 

design. Those four finalists then began working on revisions and further analysis of their 

designs. Several weeks later, the foundation met for the final presentations of the design 

project where one of the four designs would be chosen for future development and 

installation.



SITE ANALYSIS 

Site Information: Jones Park is located north of Interstate 64 and across from the Jackie 

Joyner Kersee Center in East St. Louis, IL. The park is one of the larges in East St. Louis 

and is a major feature for the Lansdowne neighborhood. Within the park there is a track, 

baseball diamonds, a large pond, a lily pool and fountain, and a pavilion. The East St. 

Louis walking and biking trail runs through Jones Park and there are several main tree 

species throughout the park including Bald cypress, Sycamore, Ginkgo, Chinese elm, and 

a variety of oak trees. The site focus is on the lily pond, located in the southwest corner 

of the park, adjacent to the park’s main road, surrounding houses, and a baseball 

diamond. There is a gravel parking lot north of the fountain along the main park road.



STAGE 1: 16 FOUNTAIN DESIGN PROPOSALS 

Wife 

Mother 

Friend 

Neighbor 

COLLEEN HAHN 

MATT COLBY 

Community 

Education 

Spirituality 

Gardening 

RYAN 

BORDEWICK 

TIM SLAZINIK




Wife 

Mother 

Friend 

Neighbor 

ANDREW VANCE 

ERIN 

CANTERBURY 

Community 

Education 

Spirituality 

Gardening 

JULIE WHITGROVE 

RACHEL QUIGLEY- 

BUTTITTA




Wife 

Mother 

Friend 

Neighbor 

JENIFER ECCLES 

NEIL BRUMLEVE 

Community 

Education 

Spirituality 

Gardening 

ALAN WATKINS 

ADAM 

STURTEWAGEN




Wife 

Mother 

Friend 

Neighbor 

ANTHONY 

MCCLELLAN 

ALEC CASHMAN 

Community 

Education 

Spirituality 

Gardening 

LINDSAY 

WEINBERG 

ERIC BRAUN



STAGE 2: FOUR FINALIST FOUNTAIN PROPOSALS 

ERIC BRAUN

Jones Park Memorial Fountain 

Emma L. Wilson King Foundation 

PROPOSAL: ERIC BRAUN 

This contemporary design is intended to commemorate the life of Mrs. King and 

her family while also ushering the Jones Park Fountain into the 21 st century and turning it 

into an area of great pride and rebirth for the community. 

As you enter the design from the grand West entrance, you immediately are 

greeted by a view across the lily pond to the fountain. On your right is a large, modern 

trellis structure to be used for events or ceremonies. As you continue down the entrance, 

with flowering Dogwoods and Redbuds to your left, you step down into the main plaza. 

The main plaza is a large space designed for sitting, socializing and taking in the views in 

the site. Standing at the water’s edge you will notice the lily pads become less dense 

across the pond. This creates a balance between the heavier vegetation on the East plaza 

and the denser lily pads towards the Western portion of the pond. 

The views in the site are one of the main features in the design. However, trees, 

structures or the fountain block views of the entire site from any point. This feature is 

utilized so that the views that you experience will be different from every point within the 

site. This greatly adds to the interest and longevity of the site because it creates many 

different experiences in one single design. It also leads to a sense of curiosity and 

discovery by the visitor. 

If you enter from the North entrance, you immediately notice the commemorative 

bricks on the side of the sidewalk. The bricks’ placement around the site is intended to 

give the visitor another reason to visit the entire site. They also are located along main 

axes which draw your eye across the pond towards points of visual interest on the other 

side. For example, if you follow the line of bricks from the north entrance, your eye is 

drawn to the water’s edge where the bricks transition into a solid slab of polished black 

granite across the entirety of the pond. The line is then continued by bricks on the other 

side and terminates in one of the large rose/perennial beds on the other side. This feature 

is repeated several times throughout the design. Rose beds are important feature of this 

site because of Mrs. King’s love for the beautiful flowers. 

The outdoor “rooms” located on the north and south sides of the site are designed 

as contemplative spaces where you will be surrounded by beautiful flowers and trees. 

They also feature peaceful views toward points of interest in the site. 

The Eastern portion of the site features another large plaza that is flanked on three 

sides by seating that features ground lighting effects that will greatly increase the site’s 

interest at dusk and the early evening. The plaza is surrounded by twelve flowering or 

evergreen trees. Each tree represents one of the children and his/her family. This plaza is 

also where the flagpole is located. In front of the flagpole will be a large plaque 

commemorating Mrs. King and her memorable life and personality. Toward the end of 

the plaza is a stone walkway out to the fountain. This walkway is intended to give the 

visitor an opportunity to interact with the fountain and add to the experience of the site. 

Other important design aspects are the use of evergreen trees, built structures and 

perennial flowers. These features are important to the site because they are low 

maintenance and also create a site that it visually interesting year-round. The flowering 

trees will create an amazing surrounding in the spring and the flower beds will continue 

to add appeal throughout the summer. In the fall and winter, the changing leaf colors, 

evergreen trees and structures will all maintain the visual integrity of the site. 

Eric Braun




LINDSAY WEINBERG



PROPOSAL: LINDSAY WEINBERG 

This fountain design takes on a formal, ceremonial environment that 

commemorates the life of one very special individual to East St. Louis; Mrs. Emma L. 

Wilson King. Not only does the design for the Jones Park fountain site celebrate Mrs. 

King’s life and warmth, but it is designed to be a place for the community to celebrate as 

well. The fountain site will instill a sense of pride for the community members of East 

St. Louis, just like Mrs. King showed throughout her life. With lush vegetative plantings 

for multi-seasonal interest and the rebirth of the fountain, a whirlwind of activity will be 

occurring throughout the site. 

As you approach the area, the formal entrance to the site is from the existing street 

on the western side. Near the street is a double row of trees that part in the middle to 

allow an open, welcoming entrance. These trees are spaced every twenty feet, with the 

exception of the middle, where there is a space of 40 feet. The two types of trees, 

flowering dogwoods and columnar-habited sugar maples, are picked specifically for the 

showy effects that they exhibit. The columnar trees hold their shape and are easy to 

maintain, as well as give off a glowing orangey gold fall color. The dogwoods flower in 

spring with an abundance of large pink, red, or white petal-like leaves. This species also 

exhibits a brilliant deep purple or red fall color and maintains a slightly picturesque habit 

for more interest. These two types of trees allow many framed views of the fountain as a 

person approaches and/or passes the site. Rose bushes are located within the 40-foot tree 

gap, where past a grass lawn is a small plaza made of stone. The roses represent Mrs. 

King’s love for them and for gardening. The plaza marks the beginning of the stone 

processional path that could be used for weddings, graduations, or other ceremonies. 

The stone path terraces down and is retained by bricks in a half-octagon shape, 

mimicking the shape of the fountain. This lawn area is designed to accommodate seating 

for the different ceremonies that can occur here. Once the path reaches the stone patio 

near the fountain, the path system splits and wraps around the fountain and continues on 

to the memorial portion of the fountain. The path is a concrete sidewalk with 

commemorative bricks strategically placed to create a geometric design within the 

paving. Lights are also designed into the paving for even more visual effects in the dark. 

The path leads to the other side of the fountain, which is where a memorial 

sculpture of Mrs. King will be housed. The area surrounding the sculpture is similar to 

the ceremonial side of the fountain, in that octagon-shaped terracing surrounds the 

sculpture. However, on this side the terracing goes upward, lifting the sculpture above the 

ground. 

Finally, 6 stepping-stones lead up to the fountain in the lily pond on either side, 

representing the 12 children who continue to love their mother, and want to see her 

amazing spirit shared with others. There are additional trees flanking the fountain on 

either side and behind the memorial sculpture. All of these details work together to form 

a functional, yet elegant commemorative site that can be used by the East St. Louis 

community for many years to come. 

Lindsay Weinberg




ANTHONY McCLELLAN



PROPOSAL: ANTHONY MCCLELLAN 

East St. Louis is a city with a story, one rich with culture, history, pride, and a 

sense of place. No small parts of such a story are people like Emma L. Wilson King. 

From all accounts she was a warm, welcoming lady who made her community a better 

place. 

This vision of the Jones Park Fountain would create a warm, welcoming 

destination, which would undoubtedly improve the community. The main entrance to the 

fountain is on the western side off of the existing street. Upon arrival guests will 

immediately observe Mrs. King’s statue and the surrounding courtyard. The courtyard 

consists of a plaza paved with stone, encircled by various flowering shrubs and trees. 

Guests will then follow the stone paving to the fountain. Eight-foot wide paths lead 

guests around the fountain where they will notice granite bollards. These granite bollards 

are similar to ones seen in a parking lot to regulate vehicular traffic, but they are being 

used here as decorative elements. In total, there are twelve on the site with each one 

representing a child of Mrs. King. The bollards are located in planting beds along the 

edges of the fountain. The planting beds will consist of ground coverings growing no 

taller than 6-12”. 

Continuing along the path visitors will walk underneath a trellis. Mrs. King was 

an avid gardener with a love of roses, in honor of her rose bushes are planted at the base 

of the trellis to add color in the spring and summer. One would also notice that the 

pavement underneath the trellis has switched from stone to brick. These are the Emma L. 

Wilson King Foundation donation bricks. Just beyond the trellis visitors will enter the 

memorial courtyard where they will see the granite memorial wall. This wall is engraved 

with images and stories from the lives of the King family. On each side of the memorial 

wall is another wall of donation bricks. This will conclude of the Emma L. Wilson King 

memorial experience. 

In addition to the memorial, this design includes a 0.58 acre lawn area to be used 

for graduations, weddings, and various gatherings. This area is bordered by stone paths 

and flowering trees and can accommodate several hundred people. The parking lot, to the 

northwest, has been designed with 36 spaces. It also forms the proposed northern 

boundary of this site. 

Years ago, the King home was a place where all the neighborhood children 

congregated. The rooms were filled with the joy and love that Mrs. King shared with 

them. Now years later, those same children have grown up and once again have a place to 

gather. The circumstances may be different, but that same joy and love lives on. East St. 

Louis is a city with a story, one rich with culture, history, pride, and a sense of place. No 

small parts of such a story are people like Emma L. Wilson King. 

Anthony McClellan




ALEC CASHMAN

EMMA L. WILSON KING MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN 

JONES PARK LAGOON 

PROPOSAL: ALEC CASHMAN 

This design recreates the Jones Park Fountain in the image of Mrs. King, her 

welcoming personality, love for the community of East St. Louis, and love of gardening 

and nature. 

In this design, the lily fountain becomes an inviting destination and focal point for 

Jones Park and East St. Louis. The west end of the site, facing the road, is composed of a 

visual or ceremonial entry. It is a 35’ wide grass entry that is lined by boxwood shrubs 

and Mrs. King’s beloved flowering roses. The rows of plantings will direct your view 

toward the fountain, while providing an unobstructed view from the road and the rest of 

the park. This area has the potential to be a wonderful setting for spring weddings and 

other ceremonies. It can accommodate over 300 people, with a central isle and a patio for 

the head of the ceremony. 

The path system used in the design is also meant to accentuate the fountain as an 

inviting focus to the park. The path on the north side of the fountain is a copy of the 

existing tree lined path on the south end. Both connect to paths, across the street, that 

continue throughout the park. This continuation of the path system makes the fountain 

easily accessible and the destination of the existing paths in the park. The tree-lined 

paths with the canopy overhead produce a wonderful approach to the fountain. 

This design builds a setting at the Jones Park Fountain where personal 

contemplation and group activities can both be enjoyed. A series of patios has been 

designed immediately around the lily fountain. On the north and south sides, the main 

patio is divided into two areas. Closer to the fountain is a smaller sitting area that has an 

arched seat wall that is backed by a row of boxwood shrubs and flowering roses. These 

smaller areas are intended for more personal contemplation and close viewing of the lily 

fountain. The larger patio sections are backed by seat walls, overhead lighting and 

provide a space for larger group activities and receptions. 

Encircling the fountain, a concrete path connects the patios and provides an area 

to continuously walk around the fountain without difficulty. This path is edged with the 

donation bricks raised by the Emma L. Wilson King Foundation that can all be viewed as 

one walks around the fountain. This donation brick edge also includes lighting set into 

the curb that illuminates the path. 

At the east end of the fountain is a memorial to Mrs. King. This memorial area 

includes a trellis covered brick patio with a seat wall. In the center of the seat wall, 

facing the fountain, a bronze sculpture in the shape of an open book will be placed 

memorializing Mrs. King. This piece of sculpture may include a relief image of Mrs. 

King, biblical verses and other remembrances. Behind this memorial is the “family tree.” 

In the center will be a flowering Magnolia and it will be flanked by twelve flowering 

Dogwoods. The Magnolia, which is the biggest of the trees and the first to bloom in the 

spring, represents Mr. and Mrs. King. The twelve flowering Dogwoods, which begin to 

bloom after the Magnolia, represent the twelve children, their families and the continuing 

growth of Emma L. Wilson King’s legacy. 

Alec Cashman

jones park fountain - East St. Louis Action Research Project

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