I get so tired of people wanting to build so-called “pocket parks.” An historic structure gets knocked down, the original proponents of the park move on, and pretty soon because the original agreement didn’t provide for perpetual maintenance, you end up with this. I find these dead spaces all over the city.
With forest park so close this does seem quite pointless. They just added a pocket park off south grand in place of a parking lot. I think i would have rather seen more infill construction, however, I can’t bemoan the loss of a parking lot.
For what it’s worth, the fountain does operate in the summer. I live in the neighborhood though, and other than offering an opportunity to clip that corner on the way to the metrolink station, it doesn’t do much for the residents.
I do see kids skateboarding from time to time around this fountain, and the old Russian men and women used to congregate here when I lived in the neighborhood about 10 or so years ago. The Russian population seems to have left, which is really added a lot of character to DeBaliviere Place.
I love our little pocket. As small as it may be, it is a pleasant little shortcut back and forth to the Metro when we are having good weather. I have taken some great family photos there. And, I have taken grandchildren there to play in the water. I only live a block away from it. Besides, when you give someone directions you can just say “turn at the fountain.”