Rock Hill, SC
Fountain Park
Animated Fountain Park Enlivens Downtown Rock Hill
status
Completed 2014
client
Comporium Communications
expertise
Public Realm + Open Space
services
Landscape Architecture Civil Engineering Urban Design
From Parking Lot to Hot Spot
Transforming an empty lot into a community gathering space did more than provide an aesthetic upgrade—it catalyzed Rock Hill and spurred development in its historic downtown.
Fountain Park is a new central landmark to Rock Hill, South Carolina, offering a scenic space in the heart of downtown for relaxing and enjoying special events. The 1.5-acre park is the result of a public-private partnership between the City of Rock Hill and Comporium, a technology and communications company whose corporate headquarters is adjacent to the park. Featuring a large, animated fountain and a central event lawn, Fountain Park is a civic gathering space that fosters community pride and enlivens downtown.
Formerly the site of a surface parking lot, Comporium engaged LandDesign to provide landscape architecture and civil engineering services, transforming an eye-sore into a treasured public open space for downtown Rock Hill.
Located directly off the bustling Main Street, downtown shops and restaurants attract visitors to the park with the aid of three decorative light columns that illuminate the way. Within the park, all primary views and paths open to a grand fountain. Featuring an interactive water jet display, the 90-foot-wide fountain is the park’s main attraction, with a magnificent display of 144 jets reaching up to 100 feet in height. A large green space, enclosed by low seat walls and formal gardens, acts as the community lawn and central gathering space. A canopied performance venue anchors the south end of the lawn, allowing for small events and performances.
Fountain Park is part of a larger plan to revitalize historic Rock Hill by attracting mixed use development east of downtown. The project aims to be a catalyst for the region, drawing local and regional visitors and spurring development to enhance to the region’s economic vitality. Comporium’s new headquarters–the first major construction project in downtown Rock Hill in decades–anchors the site with a four-story office and retail building. Planned future phases of development include a 100-room hotel, commercial and residential uses, and a performing arts center, further activating the park’s edges.
As an extension of Main Street, Fountain Park needed to be well-integrated with the surrounding historic community. A traditional fountain, cobblestone pavers, and formal garden plantings were selected to produce a beautiful, timeless addition to Rock Hill’s Old Town.
An Iconic Gathering Place
The sight of concerts, food truck gatherings, and leisurely strolls through Fountain Park was instantly embraced by the community, with the park’s namesake water feature quickly becoming a recognizable town icon.
