Berger (Dandelion) Fountain Reconstruction and Design Berger (Dandelion) Fountain Reconstruction and Design

Click on image to enlarge.

Project Scope, Schedule, and Process

Existing Foundation Assessment: Existing foundations assessment (CLPC & Friends led)

Concept Desing Phase:

• Stakeholder input, predesign concepts, and estimated comparison: February-August 2023
• Concept design approved: July-October 2023

Solidify funding for design development: October 2023-September 2024

Design Devlopment (DD) Phase: October 2024-April 2025

Construction Document (CD) Phase: May-November 2025

Solidify funding to pay for construction

Permitting & Construction Phase: Bidding and construction (MPRB CIP funds available in 2028 or sooner with fundraising.)

History of Berger Fountain

The Berger Fountain, known as the “dandelion fountain” to many, was installed in 1975 and has been a beloved neighborhood landmark in Loring Park and a favorite location for wedding photographers and children ever since. The existing plaza and surrounding trees create a cozy enclosed area with good views of the park and skyline.

The Berger Fountain reconstruction was identified as a priority in the Loring Park NRP Phase I Plan, the Loring Park NRP Phase II Plan, and the Loring Park Neighborhood Small Area Plan; all three plans were adopted by the Minneapolis City Council in 1995, 2008, and 2013, respectively. The Downtown Public Realm Plan, adopted in 2016, also identified the Berger Fountain as a priority in its planning. A Berger Fountain Task Force (Task Force) was formed in 2014 to work independently and collaboratively with the MPRB to improve maintenance and support for the fountain.

In 2017, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) adopted the Downtown Service Area Master Plan (DSAMP) which set goals for long-term development and improvements to parks guided by extensive engagement from the communities that MPRB serves. After months of engaging with community, DSAMP outlined a high-level vision for Loring Park, including a vision for Berger Fountain and the surrounding park space. This vision included refurbishing and retaining the “dandelion” fountain alongside additional community amenities, such as a plaza, seating areas, and a splash pad (see pages 4-73 through 4-77 for DSAMP Berger Fountain content).

In summer 2020, the Berger Fountain ceased to work because to deferred maintenance and capacity due to the pandemic, which heightened the need to move rehabilitation forward.

In June 2022, the Task Force led the oversight of a design team to complete a rehabilitation assessment and preliminary cost estimate for future work. The assessment is informing next steps in the process.

Current Reconstruction History (2023)

In Spring-Summer 2023, MPRB staff partnered with the Berger Fountain Task Force to complete engagement for the concept design of the fountain, which included a vision for the plaza area around the fountain. A schematic concept design was released at National Night Out in 2023.

In 2024, the Task Force worked with MPRB to request funds from the legislature for the fountain. $200,000 were granted, allowing MPRB to continue work on the design development phase of the work.

In 2025, MPRB continued to refine and finalize construction documents for the fountain. 100% construction documents are anticipated to be completed in Winter 2025, which means that as soon as there is sufficient funding for the reconstruction of the fountain, MPRB has the drawings read to bid out as soon as possible. Currently, CIP funding is slated for 2028, and MPRB anticipates using these funds to restore the fountain unless or until additional funds are acquired through the Task Force’s fundraising effort. Thanks to the Berger Fountain Task Force for all of their fundraising work to date.

Thanks to the state for awarding the Berger Fountain project $200,000 for the 2024-2025 funding cycle. The funding has allowed MPRB to complete the design phase of the work and complete Phase 1 construction work.

” The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund receives 19.75 percent of the sales tax revenue resulting from the Legacy amendment to support arts, arts education and arts access, and to preserve Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage.  Based on current sales tax revenue, Minnesotans will invest more than $1.2 billion in arts and cultural heritage fund projects and programs over the 25 year life of the tax.

A portion of the dollars appropriated from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund are being made available through grant programs.” – Minnesota State Legislature

Click here for more information: Tracking Minnesota’s Legacy and Trust Funds | Minnesota’s Legacy

The MPRB has an agreement in place with Berger Fountain Task Force to raise funds for the Berger Fountain reconstruction project. The Task Force is comprised of representatives from Citizens for a Loring Park Community, Friends of Loring Park, Loring Greenway and at-large representatives.

Fundraising kicks off in summer 2023! Visit the Berger Fountain Task Force website to donate or get involved.