The Fountain

Gates Circle Fountain 

I was on my Vespa and passed through Gates Circle today. I decided to stop and reenact the scene from La Dolce Vita where they cool off in the Trevi Fountain. Very Fellini-esque. Our fountain has had a bit of a rough go. Too recently, a couple of jokers thought it was a drive through. The old boy has also lost a couple of companions as of late, with the removal of both the Park Lane Restaurant, (don't get me started), and Gates Hospital. Once again the original green space known as Chapin Place was brought to us by Olmsted, Vaux and Co. as part of the Buffalo Parkway System. Later, the well-heeled daughter of the Gates family paid E.B. Green to give the place a make-over, adding the fountain that still dodges traffic to this day. The lovely Chapin Parkway begins at the circle which connects with Bidwell, going west to the rotaries to Richmond Avenue and East to Lincoln Parkway, The Albright Knox and Delaware Park. You get the idea. Check it out on a map (link below) to appreciate the brilliance and extent of the design. As I was drying off on the granite bench that circles the fountain, now well over 100 years old, I could only hope that the powers that be care for the old boy and give it some fitting companions. It behooves all of us to guard these city gems. And only through holding our fearless leaders' feet to the fire, can we achieve the "sweet life" for all.

http://library.buffalo.edu/maps/buffalo-wnymaps/location/olmsted.html