The fountain was made by Robinson Iron Company and the contractor was Omasta. Landscaping was done by GZA. The neighborhood project was funded thanks in part by a $125,000 Community Preservation Act (CPA) grant and $36,000 from the Atwater Park Civic Association through a donation from Baystate Health. City Councilors Attorney Michael Fenton and Attorney Sean Curran advocated on behalf of the neighborhood to Mayor Sarno and Director Sullivan to help fund the rest of the project. Mayor Sarno allocated $100,000 to close the project gap so that construction could begin.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank Director Patrick Sullivan and City Councilors Michael Fenton and Sean Curran for their efforts in supporting this important neighborhood fountain rehabilitation project for our Atwater Park neighborhood. The improvements will enhance the beautification of the neighborhood and restore a long inoperable fountain structure to its original glory. The residents are thrilled and excited to see their fountain restored and are already siting and walking by to enjoy its serenity. Thank you to the Steve Haddad and the Atwater Park Civic Association for bringing this project to our attention and to Baystate Health and Bob McCarroll and the Springfield Community Preservation Committee for their efforts in helping to fund this quality-of-life project for our neighborhood, one of the many neighborhood projects the CPA Committee has awarded funding too.”
Councilor Fenton stated, “I want to thank Mayor Sarno and his administration, especially Parks Director Patrick Sullivan and his team for their continued efforts on neighborhood projects such as this. This Atwater Park fountain project has been a priority for the Atwater Park Civic Association for a long time and I am proud to have been able to represent my ward and the residents of Atwater Park in getting this project approved. Special thanks to Steve Haddad and the Atwater Park Civic Association for all they do for the neighborhood, and thanks to Baystate Health for their continued support in helping to fund this project. This is a great example of what public/private partnerships can achieve.”
“The rich history of Atwater Park goes back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries when it was owned by George Atwater, founder of the Springfield Street Railway. After his passing in 1902, the heirs to his estate saw it fit to develop the land into a residential area. More than 100 years later, Atwater Park remains one of the most spectacular neighborhoods in western Massachusetts, and I could not be more pleased to see the restoration of this long inoperable fountain,” said Congressman Neal. “The pride and sense of community in the Atwater neighborhood is second to none, and I would like to thank Pat Sullivan, the Park Commission, City Councilors Michael Fenton and Seann Curran, and the Atwater Park Civic Association who continuously work to uphold the beauty and rich history this neighborhood has to offer.”
