jones park fountain - East St. Louis Action Research Project

JONES PARK FOUNTAIN
EMMA L. WILSON KING FOUNDATION
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