Times Up 2nd Annual Fountain Ride

The beautiful fountains in front of all those big corporate plazas that we long for but strangely fear to touch, are ours to play in. We rode to each fountain, jumped in, made a splash and got back on our bikes before the security guards can begin to make up a fake rule. We even danced around the Seagram Fountain, which had no water. Over all, It was an amazing summertime, cooling off experience.

Literary smart guy, city planner, Urbanist and people watcher, William H. Whyte wrote...
"I have always thought the water at the Seagram Fountain looked unusually liquid, and I think it is because you know you can splash your hand in it if you are of a mind to. People do it all the time; they stick their hands in it, their toes and feet, and if they splash about, some security guard dow not come running up to tell them nay."

"But in many places water is only for looking at. Let a foot touch it and a guard will be there in an instant. Forbidden. Chemicals in the water. Danger of contamination. Let people start touching the water and the first thing you know they will be swimming in it.

"It's not right to put water before people and then keep them away from it. But this is what has been happening across the country. Pools and fountains are installed, then immediately posted with signs admonishing people not to touch it. Equally egregious is the exce4ssive zeal with which many pools are continually being emptied, vacuumed, and refilled, as though their function were to be emptied, vacuumed, and refilled. Maintenance, not use, is the first priority."

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Times Up
• Fountain Ride Public space
• William H. Whyte
• Urban planning

[westiesmum69]

U really need to get a life. Activists are the most dumb mother fuckers on the planet. And have no idea.

[aliceayers007]

On the prowl for ever-so elusive Whyte films and found none, but I did find this! All is not lost. You people rule.

[nektu]

@abatt13 Damn, you are a stuck-up one.

[cyclesingsleep]

Fantastic Job TIMES UP!!! thanks for holding 'the man' to his promise and not backing down : )

[vetromaster]

@abatt13 the fountains aren't private property dumb ass, go take some cyanide.

[cunnelatio]

@abatt13 it's actually not private property but don't let your lack of a clue stop you from forming an opinion

[abatt13]

What part of "private property" dont you understand? It would have funny if you would have all been arrested for criminal trespass and spend the weekend in jail

[jerkwallace]

I hope you guys read that manifesto to the public at every fountain! BRAVO!

[mrcuddles100]

All good points. What is the point of water features if you can't splash around in them.

[munster2012]

What a bunch of hippie faggots.