This article is under verification. Some claims may be incomplete or awaiting a cited source. KS.City is a civic encyclopedia in active compilation.
Beloved Northland fountain at the corner of North Oak Trafficway and NE Vivion Road. Bronze children at play; a landmark welcoming travelers entering the Northland.
History
The Children’s Fountain was installed in 1995 as part of City of Kansas City beautification efforts in the Northland. Designed by Kansas City-based sculptor Tom Corbin, the fountain features eight cast-bronze children at play around a circular basin, with water-jets choreographed to create the impression of children splashing.1
Located at the busy intersection of North Oak Trafficway and NE Vivion Road, the fountain serves as a Northland landmark, marking the transition between the Riverside / North Kansas City area and the more residential Northland north of I-29.
Sculptor
Tom Corbin is a Kansas City sculptor whose work also appears at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Cerner corporate campus, and multiple residential commissions across the KC metro.2
Architecture + materials
Eight life-size cast-bronze figures of children at play arrayed around a circular concrete basin. Water-jets are timed to spray from the figures’ positions, creating motion + animation.
Current status
Operating. Drained for winter (typically late October through early April). Subject to ongoing maintenance by KCMO Parks.
Cultural significance
The Children’s Fountain is among the most beloved Northland public artworks. Its location at a busy intersection makes it a daily-encountered piece for thousands of Northland residents. It has been featured in KC tourism marketing as an example of the city’s “City of Fountains” identity beyond the Country Club Plaza.
Visiting
- Address: North Oak Trafficway + NE Vivion Rd, Kansas City, MO 64118
- Best time to visit: Spring through fall
- Public access: Free; 24-hour public space; on-street parking nearby
Sources
Footnotes
See also
- The Northland
- tom-corbin