Berger Fountain Photo

SUPPORT THE BERGER FOUNTAIN RESTORATION PROJECT

In 2021, Friends of Loring Park and Citizens for a Loring Park Community, as part of the Berger Fountain Committee, contracted with premier landscape architectural firm Damon-Farber to do a pre-design study to rehabilitate Berger (Dandelion) Fountain. This Minneapolis icon needs help. The below-ground infrastructure and above-ground condition of the fountain are deplorable. The Dandelion Fountain itself will look the same, and it will work. Damon-Farber will look at the setting, the water basin, the plaza, seating near the fountain, and sustainability (especially of water), and produce cost estimates for the entire project.

There were two phases of community engagement to help decide on a final design that met community needs and budget constraints. Both phases of engagement consisted of an online survey, focus groups, and pop-up tabling in Loring Park with community partners. A proposed final design for the project debuted in August at National Night Out in Loring Park. Thank you to everyone who took time to share ideas and opinions about the fountain and the surrounding area of Loring Park.

Next steps for the project include continued fundraising, completing design development, final design, and construction documents phases, with construction planned as early as fall.

Donate to the Berger Fountain

Other Ways to Donate

Mail donations to CLPC
1645 Hennepin Ave So
Suite 204
Minneapolis, MN 55403
On memo line write:  Berger Fountain

SEPTEMBER 2023 UPDATE

Check out proposed final plan to rebuild Berger Fountain in Loring Park

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, in partnership with the Berger Fountain Task Force, is planning to rebuild Berger Fountain (Dandelion Fountain) in Loring Park. The Berger Task Force consists of representatives from Citizens for a Loring Park Community, Friends of Loring Park and Loring Greenway Association.

More than 1,000 people weighed in through two phases of engagement to help decide on a final design which met community needs and budget constraints. Both phases of engagement consisted of an online survey, focus groups, and pop-up tabling in Loring Park with community partners. A proposed final design for the project debuted last week at National Night Out in Loring Park. Thank you to everyone who took time to share ideas and opinions about the fountain and the surrounding area of Loring Park.

Next steps for the project include completing design development, final design and construction documents phases, with construction planned as early as fall 2024.

More information
Berger Fountain Site Plan
Visit the Project Page

Design Details

  • Restores the fountain in the same location, with the same size and cascading pools
  • Illuminates fountain and pools at night with decorative lighting
  • Creates new triangular plaza area around the fountain
  • Adds seating and gathering space
  • Adds flower planters to separate plaza from street
  • Improves connection to Loring Greenway entrance
  • Installs permeable paving to protect tree roots
  • Retains all existing nearby trees

ABOUT THE BERGER FOUNTAIN

The fountain is located on the northeast edge of Loring Park along Willow Street, where the Loring Greenway meets the park.

The fountain is located on the northeast edge of Loring Park along Willow Street, where the Loring Greenway meets the park.

BERGER FOUNTAIN MECHANICAL ROOM

2018

SUMMARY OF THE STATE OF THE BERGER FOUNTAIN MECHANICAL ROOM

Berger Fountain Proposed Enclosures 2018

2018

Enclosure options from Dunwoody students.

 

Downtown Minneapolis Photo

RECENT NEWS

The news reel is currently under construction. Thank you for your patience!

AUGUST 2023 UPDATE

Check out the final design at National Night Out!
A draft Final Design for the Berger Fountain will be unveiled at the Loring Park Neighborhood National Night Out party on Tuesday, August 1st to be held at the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis/410 Oak Grove.

JUNE 2023 UPDATE

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, in partnership with the Berger Fountain Task Force, is planning to rebuild Berger Fountain (Dandelion Fountain) in Loring Park. The Berger Task Force consists of representatives from Citizens for a Loring Park Community, Friends of Loring Park and Loring Greenway Association.

Nearly 700 people weighed in on an initial survey on the project! Thank you to everyone who took time to share ideas and opinions about the fountain and that area of the Loring Park.

Today the design team published three initial concepts for rebuilding the fountain and improving the surrounding area. These design concepts were created based on feedback received so far.

Please take a few minutes to look over the designs and let us know what you think!

Berger Fountain Concepts Online Survey

None of the three concepts will be the exact final design. The design team is interested in learning which elements people like from each option, then will take that feedback and create a final design could blend elements from each concept.

The proposed final concept will be published for public feedback in the fall. Construction is tentatively scheduled for 2024-2025.

Visit the MPRB Project page.
Project Manager: Emma Pachuta
612-499-3711 | epachuta@minneapolisparks.org

MAY 2023 UPDATE

This summer, the MPRB, in partnership with the Berger Fountain Task Force, is working to complete a Concept Design for the Berger Fountain and surrounding parkland. A Request for Proposal was released, interviews held, and the Consultant Team from Damon Farber selected.  The design will include reconstruction of the existing dandelion fountain, and it could add a plaza, seating, and/or an interactive water feature. A final design will be showcased in August 2023, at the Neighborhood National Nite party set for Tuesday, August 1st and hosted by The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis. Once funding is secured, construction scheduled for fall 2024 through 2025.

Minneapolis Parks & Recreation has an online survey we want everyone to take!  The last day the survey will be open is Friday, May 5th. So, click this link and complete it right now before it closes:

Presently, we have $400,000 of Park Dedication fees to be matched in part by neighborhood fundraising. If you are interested in helping with the fundraising, please contact Jana @ LoveLoring2@gmail.com.
The Berger Fountain Task Force consists of representatives from Friends of Loring Park, Loring Greenway, CLPC, and 2 At Large.

Learn more about the project at www.minneapolisparks.org/berger-fountain

Berger (Dandelion) Fountain Restoration Update

April 2023

This spring and summer, the MPRB, in partnership with the Berger Fountain Task Force, is completing a Concept Design for the Berger Fountain.  The design will include new reconstruction of the existing dandelion fountain, it could add a plaza, seating, and/or an interactive water feature.

Please fill out this short survey to tell us what you want to see in the future! 
• Survey link (English): https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/dandelion-fountain
• Survey link in Russian: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/berger-fountain-RU
• Survey link in Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/berger-fountain-SP

The request for a plaza, seating area, and interactive water feature were requested by the public for the Loring Park Master plan during the  public engagement process in 2017.

The Berger Fountain Task Force membership is: 
  • Reps from Friends of Loring Park
  • Reps from Loring Greenway
  • Reps from CLPC
  • 2 At-Large Reps

We are presently looking for volunteers with experience in Fundraising.  Please email CLPC at LoveLoring2@gmail.com if interested.  Learn more at www.minneapolisparks.org/berger-fountain

 

Damon Farber Midtown Presentation - Berger Fountain Restoration

2022

REHABILITATION OF BERGER FOUNTAIN & PLAZA EXPANSION

2019

The Berger Fountain Workgroup Committee, Citizens for a Loring Park Community, and Friends of Loring Park have teamed up to plan and raise funds for the restoration of Berger Fountain and improve and expand the plaza area surrounding the fountain.

Read the Memorandum of Understanding here.

Read more about the project in the MPRB Downtown Service Area Master Plan here.

 

BERGER FOUNTAIN RESTORATION PROJECT

2018

SUMMARY OF WINTER COVER DESIGN PROJECT WITH DUNWOODY  /  MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING  /  MPLS PARK BOARD NEXT STEPS

Dunwoody Students Photo

BERGER FOUNTAIN WINTER COVER

2018

Dunwoody Architect students partner with the Berger Fountain Task Force to design a Berger Fountain winter cover!