“Why reimagine something so iconic?” A fair question indeed. The Globe Fountian, or Seven Canyons Fountain, in Liberty Park has quite a story.
For nearly 30 years, the Globe Fountian served as one of Liberty Park’s most well-known features. It was a gift to Salt Lake City residents in 1993 from Mr. O.C. Tanner. He wanted to create a legacy. The Globe Fountian was a collaboration. Architects Boyd Blackner and Elizabeth Blackner worked with landscape architect Stephen Goldsmith. Sculptor John Swain completed the team. Their idea was unique. They sought to recreate Salt Lake City’s canyons and waterways for people to experience.
Imagine walking through miniature versions of the Wasatch Front mountains. Miniature rivers and creeks flow from these canyons. City Creek, Red Butte, Emigration, Parleys, East Mill Creek, and Big and Little Cottonwood all converged. The water flowed into the Jordan River. Finally it emptied into the Great Salt Lake. It was quite a sight.
However, time takes its toll. By 2017 the Globe Fountian faced serious problems. A Salt Lake County Health Department inspection raised concerns. Ongoing maintenance issues added to the trouble. The fountain closed. The city studied options. They considered decommissioning it. Another idea was a dry art feature. Restoring it with flowing water also was considered.
The studies revealed some hard truths. Restoring the Globe Fountian with flowing water would cost between $2 million and $4 million. Plus it would use 21000 gallons of water per day. That is a lot of water.
So Salt Lake City decided to reimagine the Globe Fountian as a dry art feature. It is a different approach. Specialty concrete finishes now show the streams and landscape elements. They symbolize the various water streams and canyons. Improvements include landscaping lighting handrails and grass turf replacement.
Interestingly two of the original artists Stephen Goldsmith and Liz Blackner are involved in this reimagining. They feel a deep responsibility. They hope one day the Globe Fountian might flow again. It is a transition strategy.
So while the flowing water is gone for now the Globe Fountian still represents Salt Lake City’s canyons and waterways. It symbolizes the life force of water in the valley.