Did a dragon ever dream of becoming a fountain? Here at the Dragon Fountain Sculpture in Prospect Park, that dream has come true. This isn’t your typical fire-breathing, damsel-kidnapping dragon. The Dragon Fountain Sculpture is a whimsical, bronze creation, a centerpiece of Imagination Playground.
The Dragon Fountain Sculpture was unveiled in June 1997. It was designed by Christian Zimmerman, a landscape architect for New York City Parks. The six-foot-high dragon, rising from a giant, open storybook, spouts water instead of flames. The sculpture was part of an $800,000 city project, assisted by the Prospect Park Alliance. It was intended to create an interactive space where children could read, listen to, and act out stories. Imagine the Dragon Fountain Sculpture coming alive in those children’s plays, transforming from a gentle fountain into a fearsome beast.
The Dragon Fountain Sculpture resides in Imagination Playground near the Lincoln Road entrance of Prospect Park. It’s a popular spot, especially during the warmer months when the water is flowing. Can you hear the delighted shrieks of children splashing in the water? Can you feel the cool spray on your face as you stand near the Dragon Fountain Sculpture? The bronze gleams in the sunlight, smooth and cool to the touch if you dare to reach out. The dragon’s expression, frozen in bronze, seems almost playful, a far cry from the terrifying beasts of legend.
The Dragon Fountain Sculpture is more than just a work of art. It’s a testament to the power of imagination, a place where stories come to life. It’s a reminder that even in a bustling city like New York, there’s still room for magic and wonder, especially for the children who visit the Dragon Fountain Sculpture in Prospect Park.