Cascade Fountain

In 1973, the Nebraska Retired Teachers Association (NRTA) embarked on an effort to commemorate the nation’s Bicentennial with a goal to make a lasting and meaningful contribution to the city. In collaboration with the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department, the decision was made to raise money to build a fountain. 

Fundraising efforts were creative and widespread, including door-to-door canvassing, public events, and Table Festivals hosted by prominent Lincolnites, such as then Mayor Helen Boosalis, Senator Shirley Marsh, and Patricia Exon, First Lady of Nebraska. Donations from the Lincoln Foundation and the Nebraska American Revolution Bicentennial Commission also helped in the NRTA’s efforts. 

By February of 1977, arrangements were finalized to begin construction for the Cascade Fountain. It was a triumph on part of the NRTA, who had taken the fountain on as a special bicentennial project. A projected date of completion for the fountain was set on October 1, 1977. 

What the hopeful city and retired teachers did not see coming were roadblocks upon roadblocks between their dream and their reality. 

From the start, the initial construction of the fountain was behind schedule. A construction workers’ strike completely halted production throughout most of the summer. By the end of August, only around a month before the projected completion date, the Cascade Fountain was only 65 percent complete. Parks and Recreation Director Don Smith officially announced that the Cascade Fountain would now be completed two weeks after the original October 1 completion date. 

Finally, in the summer of 1978, the Bicentennial Cascade Fountain, located at S. 27th Street and Capitol Parkway, was completed and dedicated to retired teachers throughout Nebraska. 

After 40 years, the Cascade Fountain was experiencing significant wear and tear. The mineral-stained concrete structure was no longer its pristine white. The ductile iron pipe that supplies the fountain’s water is corroded and will fail in the future. Current Director of Lincoln Parks and Recreation, Lynn Johnson stressed the need to refurbish or reconstruct the area. The public was alerted of the need to consider alternative options for the fountain, along with different options for improvements. 

 Critical Enhancements 

In 2018, Lincoln Parks & Recreation enlisted the help of Schemmer and Waterline Studios fountain design experts to perform an engineering analysis on the fountain. The firm identified a number of critical issues with the fountain and provided recommendations for repair. The issues include: 

• The fountain’s piping and electrical unit has significant corrosion. 
• Overspray of fountain water has resulted in cracking of the surrounding concrete sidewalks. 
• There is poor water circulation of the basin to the south. 
• Mechanical equipment (which is mostly original) does not allow for efficient operation of the fountain which increases electrical use. 
• The lighting at the fountain is no longer working. 
• The once white fountain surface is now stained due to minerals in the untreated water. 
• Skateboard use on the fountain has damaged the edge of the fountain basin walls. 
• Accessing the equipment pit does not meet safety codes. 
• Drains around the fountain frequently clog due to grass clippings and other debris. 
• Water level sensor is susceptible to scum build-up which makes it inoperable. 
• There is no filtration or sanitation system. Water treatment is manually performed. 

The engineering report provided several recommendations for repairs along with estimated costs. The overall estimated cost for refurbishment is $900,000. Costs of repairs and/or renovation would be funded by a private campaign and a challenge grant at the Lincoln Parks Foundation. 

Renovation in addition to restoration of the fountain: the vision involves creating a beautiful destination in the Antelope Park Triangle. Individuals and families can come spend the day and delight in the spectacular water feature of Cascade Fountain, enjoy a picnic on the sprawling, landscaped grounds, take in the breathtaking beauty of the nationally-acclaimed Sunken Gardens, Rotary Strolling Garden, Hamann Rose Garden, and engage with the unique animals and habitats at Lincoln Children’s Zoo. To create this new vision, the funds raised will be used to repair structural decay and install new electrical and equipment to meet current city codes, to enhance the surrounding area with additional improvements, and to establish an endowment that will sustain Cascade Fountain and surrounding grounds into the future. 

Garden hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.  Admission is free, donations are accepted. 
Restrooms are available at Sunken Gardens April to October from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Parking is available east of the Hamann Rose Garden. 

For everyone’s enjoyment of the garden, please: 

• Do not pick the flowers or stand in the displays
• Attend to children at all times
• Stay on the paths and lawn areas
• Leash your dog; pick up and dispose of pet waste
• Walk your bicycle
• No skateboards or roller blades
• No swimming or wading

For garden tours, please contact 402-441-8267. 

Lincoln's parks and public gardens have provided beautiful backdrops for generations of family photos. When you or your photographer are taking pictures, we ask that you be mindful of, and minimize disruption to, other park users and garden visitors. Please also take care to avoid damaging any flowers, plantings, turf, or park property.

If your photo shoot is large and/or it could disrupt normal park or public garden operations, you make need to seek a Special Use Permit. If fees for photography services are collected on site, a Permit to Conduct Business may be required. Wedding reservations are available at our wedding designated sites. Please contact 402-441-7847, Ext. 0, or email parks@lincoln.ne.gov, for additional information regarding both Special Use Permit and wedding reservations.

Thank you and enjoy those beautiful pictures!