SF fountain that divides public opinion to be fenced off
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A controversial fountain along San Francisco's waterfront has been ordered closed off from the public. The Vaillancourt Fountain across from the Ferry Building at Embarcadero Plaza is being fenced off in the interest of public safety, according to city officials.
A representative with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department told KRON4.com that a recent report had made it clear that the fountain, in its current state, is a potential hazard.
'The Vaillancourt Fountain was designed for people to interact with,' an official said. 'This report made it clear that is no longer safe.'
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According to a Rec and Parks official, parts of the fountain are 'cracked, corroded, or missing,' including a key support rod in one of the structure's arms. The fountain also contains hazardous materials like lead and asbestos.
'As a result, we are fencing it off,' a parks official said.
People will still be able to view the fountain, but not to walk through it or get close to it.
Installed in 1971, the Vaillancourt Fountain divides public opinion. Fans of brutalist architecture and preservationists have defended the 710-ton sculpture, which has been inactive as a fountain for the past year due to a pump failure.
Recently, plans were unveiled for a $30-million renovation of the Embarcadero Plaza and adjoining Sue Bierman Park. The fountain was not pictured in renderings for the planned renovations.
Armand Vaillancourt, the Canadian artist behind the fountain, visited SF last month to try and urge city officials to preserve the structure. Parks officials maintain that the report will have no impact on long-term plans for the future of Vaillancourt Fountain.
'This step is strictly about ensuring public safety,' officials told KRON4. 'It doesn't impact the timeline or scope of the broader Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Renovation Project.'
Parks officials maintain that long-term decisions regarding the fountain's future will follow public process established by the San Francisco Arts Commission, including review from the Visual Arts Committee, and will include opportunities for community impact.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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