This site is closed to new comments and posts.

Notice: This site uses cookies to function.
If you are not comfortable with cookies then please don't browse this website.

Brooklyn Museum Fountains: is there a schedule? — Brooklynian

Brooklyn Museum Fountains: is there a schedule?

sevenoneeighty
sevenoneeighty
edited November -1 in Prospect Heights
I have to admit that when I have guests from out of town, one of the nice features that I love to show off are the Brooklyn Museum fountains. However, I have to admit I am a little anxious when I turn the corner and get a view of the museum entrance. I find myself saying:
" Please let them be on, Please let them be on...".I can't tell you how many times this has happened - they are off, plaza empty.
Without rhyme or reason - it seems, they are inexpicably off on a fine spring/ summer day? When you are trying to show off all the cool amenities in your hood, the fountain has got to be on your list.
It just isn'tt the same when they are off - the whole vibe is different.
On a First Saturday - they should be on - no excuses. But sometimes they are off.

The following scenarios have been witnessed:

1. Coming home from work, Late evening, driving rain, empty streets: fountains on Full blast in the rain.

2. Middle of a Sunny day, crowds going to the Botanic Garden, tour buses bringing folks from out of town for their first glimpse of Brooklyn's awesomeness:
Fountains dry as a bone, plaza empty

3. Beautiful Sunday, entire family visiting from down south, we tell about how cool the museum plaza is and why living in Brooklyn is so cool, turn the corner:
Fountains off - 2 days straight - no reason given.

I feel worse for the ice cream man and the vendor at the corner of Washington and E. Pkway:when the fountains are off, it kills their business bigtime.

Someone educate me on the mystery fountains so I can time it perfectly: I want to turn the corenr when they are at their magical peak in the cycle.
WTF?

Comments

  • rhodamine
    rhodamine
    why dont you call the museum info desk and inquire?

    (718) 638-5000
  • cythren
    cythren
    I've wondered about the fountain schedule myself. Could it be that they turn them off when kids break the rules and climb over the railings? :wink:
  • sevenoneeighty
    sevenoneeighty
    why dont you call the museum info desk and inquire?

    (718) 638-5000
    Did that before ( this summer) and again this weekend - was transferred 5 TIMES! Could not get an answer from Grounds, Operations, Management or any of the other people they put me through to.

    Then I got hung up on.....
    So I'll try again but it seems like they do not have a plan.
    I even asked the people at the entry and front desk - they didnt know either.
    Thought it was some homeland security secret..... it just seems odd. I am sure they have maintenance issues, but Sunday was a perfect example.
  • kw
    kw
    I'm surprised you were transfered so many times, as there aren't that many departments that deal with the operation of the fountain. I'll see if I can get an answer for you! I work at the museum, but don't deal in the Operations Department.
  • sweet tea
    sweet tea
    did anyone ever find out what the deal is?

    still curious....
  • alafairnadia
    alafairnadia
    mod note: I split the robberies posts into their own topic as they have nothing to do with the schedule of the fountain.
  • sevenoneeighty
    sevenoneeighty
    PostPosted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 3:20 pm Post subject:
    I'm surprised you were transfered so many times, as there aren't that many departments that deal with the operation of the fountain. I'll see if I can get an answer for you! I work at the museum, but don't deal in the Operations Department.
    Yes, but these were not transfers to people with greater knowledge or to a proper department, etc - these were "I have no idea what you are talking about - let me get someone else on the phone who might know - like the janitor" transfers.

    But thes answer I finally got was: there is no set schedule.
    they said something about weather and wind but like I said, I have seen them on in the heavy rain and wind and turned off during bright sunny Saturdays with perfectly good skies. Go figure.

    It's not the end of the world, it's just unfortunate that's all ;because it really is such a different place and vibe when the fountains are on. The architecture can sometimes be only as good as the tenants occupying the space - who can sometimes forget to turn on the fountain in the new public plaza... :roll:
  • kofetyme
    kofetyme
    It would be nice if the Museum came to the realization that the neighborhood is actually interested in the asthetics of the building and its expensive Bellagio-inspired fountain. It's a new dynamic out there and the folks that run the place should be aware that people actually care. I suspect that this is not exactly the optimum time of year for a fountain to be running, but given the nature of the organization maybe them being aware that people are interested in this can get the powers that be on track for the Spring. Should be enough lead time for that to happen. Call the Museum, let's see our tax dollars and donations at work.
  • oneasternparkway
    oneasternparkway
    kofetyme wrote: It would be nice if the Museum came to the realization that the neighborhood is actually interested in the asthetics of the building and its expensive Bellagio-inspired fountain. It's a new dynamic out there and the folks that run the place should be aware that people actually care. I suspect that this is not exactly the optimum time of year for a fountain to be running, but given the nature of the organization maybe them being aware that people are interested in this can get the powers that be on track for the Spring. Should be enough lead time for that to happen. Call the Museum, let's see our tax dollars and donations at work.
    Agreed. Oh, and weed the flower beds behind the fountain!
  • kw
    kw
    Sorry I didn't follow-up on this sooner, but here is the official word from the Operations Department:


    The fountain is scheduled to be running from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday to Sunday. On first Saturdays, it is ON until 11:00 PM. When it is called for, in the logistics, we follow the requests (either to have it OFF or ON at the required times). Keep in mind that the fountain shuts OFF whenever the wind speed exceeds 14 MPH and re-starts when it drops to 7 MPH. The last few days the wind speed has been 20 MPH and above.
    When the temperature gets below 40 degrees F, we shut it OFF for safety (preventing ice formation on the walkways). In the winter time it is shut OFF permanently (it will be winterized by mid November as it gets colder).
Sign In or Register to comment.

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In

Categories