Friendship Fountain, a large fountain in Jacksonville, Florida, plays at your feet. It sits in St. Johns River Park, also known as Friendship Fountain Park, at the west end of Downtown Jacksonville's Southbank Riverwalk. Designed by Jacksonville architect Taylor Hardwick in 1963 — the same architect who later designed the Haydon Burns Library — the fountain and park opened in 1965 on 14 acres of donated land.
When it opened it was the world's largest and tallest fountain, its three pumps able to push 17,000 US gallons (64,000 L) of water per minute up to 120 feet (37 m). Throughout the 20th century it remained one of Jacksonville's signature attractions, though severe corrosion and deterioration to the equipment led to periodic closures in the 2000s. The city completed a $3.2 million renovation in 2011.
A second renovation began in 2020 and, after several delays, was completed in 2024 with a nearly $8 million budget. Listen to the rhythm of the water and imagine those great jets rising to 120 feet, with the St. Johns River and the west end of the Southbank Riverwalk spreading beyond you.