June 22nd 2024.
Buckingham Fountain, a popular landmark in Grant Park, has been unexpectedly closed until further notice. The reason? Well, it seems that some mischievous vandals decided to add a pop of color to the fountain's pool water. And by pop of color, I mean they dyed the water red. Not only that, but they also left some messages spray-painted on the fountain, expressing their opposition to the war in Gaza. Talk about making a statement.
As a result of this vandalism, the Chicago Park District has announced that they will be performing maintenance to restore the fountain to its original state. This news was shared on Saturday morning, leaving many disappointed that they won't be able to enjoy the fountain for the time being. The district is urging people to check back for updates on when the fountain will be back up and running.
According to the Chicago Police, the damage was discovered in the early hours of the morning at the fountain's location on South Columbus Drive. No suspects have been caught yet, but detectives are on the case to find those responsible for this act of vandalism.
One person who witnessed the aftermath of the incident was Colin Hinkle. He noticed that the water in the fountain was turning red when he looked out of his home at around 7:30 a.m. Being the owner of a drone video and photography company, Hinkle decided to take some photos of the unusual sight. At first, he thought it might have been a scheduled water test or a PR stunt, but then he saw the spray-painted messages in support of Gaza. That's when he realized that this was not an authorized event.
Hinkle also noticed that the graffiti on the ground surrounding the fountain had been quickly cleaned up by park district employees. However, the jets in the fountain were turned off, and visitors were only able to access the area around the fountain. Later in the day, Hinkle saw that the fountain was being drained, with the red water being dumped into Lake Michigan. He also noticed a red tinge on the fountain's brick, which made him worry about any potential permanent damage.
The fountain holds an impressive 1.5 million gallons of water, and it is a popular spot for tour boats and personal watercraft. Hinkle couldn't help but watch as these boats passed through the red-tinted water, hoping that it wouldn't cause any harm to them. He also expressed concern for the upcoming events in the city, as the fountain is a designated Chicago Landmark and holds a special place in the city's history.
Built in 1927, Buckingham Fountain was a gift from philanthropist Kate Sturges Buckingham in honor of her brother, Clarence. It is known for its grand water displays, which occur every hour for 20 minutes, with the center jet shooting water up to an impressive 150 feet in the air. The fountain typically runs from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, from early May through mid-October. Let's hope that the maintenance team can restore this beautiful landmark to its former glory soon.
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