Three fundamental elements mark the passage of time through the day and through the century at this new civic landmark, creating a gateway entrance into the historic district and municipal complex of Irving. Stone for its timeless elegance, water for its sculptural form, and light for its effects on the other two: each material was chosen to play an important role in the depiction of time and progress in this monumental fountain park. Paul Gooch and Casey Tate of the Irving Parks & Recreation Department worked closely with the City Council to create this landmark for the city. That vision was transformed into reality in record time by the landscape architects at MESA Design Group of Dallas. In order to dedicate the park at the turn of the century, design and construction took less than eleven months.

Millennium Park is located in an important triangular median between Irving Boulevard and West 2nd Street through the center of Irving's downtown. Across Irving Boulevard from City Hall and the main Public Library, the park is the first of three open spaces planned to reach out from the civic campus and create an open space cultural center. The fountain will link a future veteran's memorial, which is currently in the design/fund raising stage, and the city park to other destinations included in Irving's Delaware Creek trail system master plan.

The two historic columns reference the aesthetic heritage of "Texas Courthouse" architecture. Stone banding and column capitols recall the county courthouses that dominate the Texas prairie as the symbolic center of law and order, defying a sense of scale when viewed from afar. Framing the axis when viewed from the western street approach, the two columns sit on a slightly mounded "crossing." The circumscribed "X" lawn and paving circle suggest the railroad crossing signal from the former train depot slightly to the north of the site, the original stimulus for development in Irving.

The true landmark of the park is the circular fountain pool and arrangement of eight architectural column pairs at the more spacious eastern portion of the median. The organization of columns around a circle is a form capturing the spirit of Stonehenge, sundials, and various timepieces through history. A very classical concept is refined to create an ageless presence, marking the start of the 21st century through careful detailing and thoughtful use of materials. Celebrating the millennium, the fountain looks toward a prosperous future for the City of Irving. Massive columns combine with a thirty-foot fountain to create a landmark that is scaled to be easily appreciated from the street. A horizontal ledge stone wall steps out of the earth to split each column on its vertical axis. The fissure also becomes the source for three additional water jets arcing from the center of the column to the center of the pool.

While echoing the same materials as the historic columns, the architectural wedge-shaped columns take on a determined spirit of ascent. As an acknowledgment of the legacy of the city, the stone blocks become smoother as the columns rise: first recalling the rough stone massing of the historic columns, then becoming polished as the banding steps toward the sky. Thus recalling the rugged origins of the town on the prairie, the city has risen and become more refined over time. An arced panel of rough stone protrudes from the column as a subtle gesture to old armillary spheres. The rough stone seems to encase the polished stone, creating a sleeve effect. A six-foot wall on the eastern edge of the plaza abstracts the logo graphic of the Irving Historic District in its pattern of recessed stone banding. Migrating shadow patterns among recessed bands and protruding panels define the progressive transition between rough and smooth, old and new, past and future.

? The fountain is controlled by an anemometer wind sensor, reducing the fountain heights, as shown in this picture. When the wind is calm, the arcing spray reach the center of the pool and the center fountain reaches thirty feet. The center fountain is lit from below the water surface by Hobbs light fixtures. The columns are lit from below by KIM fixtures embedded in the concrete paving.

The pool itself is one hundred feet in diameter with a center spray of thirty feet high. The large pool was included not only for the scale of impact, but also to capture the spray from such a tall water jet. These dimensions keep with the recommended ratio of two feet of catch basin radius for every one foot of vertical fountain height. Three jets of water spray from between the columns at different vertical angles toward the center jet. Essential to successful fountain design of any substantial height, and even more so in public work, an anemometer wind sensor reduces the height of the main fountain jet when the gusts reach eight knots. The arced jets are also adjusted accordingly. The entire fountain shuts down if winds were to reach eighteen knots. Sample jets were tested and videoed in a full-size shop mockup by Hobbs Architectural Fountains in Georgia to show city officials exactly how the fountain jets would interact. The series of three jets spraying from the columns were custom sized and angled for the design intent.

Water is often more dramatic when lit from below or within than from above. From the fountains to the stonework, the nature of this project lends itself well to a variety of night lighting effects. The main fountain is lit from below via a series 419 underwater light fixture by Hobbs, providing waterproof assurance and superb luminescence through the full height of the fountain. Built into the columns, just below the three fountain jets, is a fixture from Hydrell's 7100 series that uplights the spray as it leaves the masonry. The arced jets are seemingly illuminated from within. All lights are controlled by a timer. The overall effect is a fountain that becomes the luminary instead of one simply being lighted by a number of scattered fixtures.

Pedestrian lighting was also included in the project, guiding the way from the historic district to the east. Located on the fountain end of the park, Tri-Post light with Double Hood Spectra fixtures, manufactured by Architectural Area Lighting, were chosen for their sleek lines and low profile effect. Primarily for pedestrian safety among the trees, the pole lights do not detract from the intent of the"fountain luminary." A tri-pole design provides stability while reducing the mass of a singular large diameter pole. Other site furnishings include Scarborough series litter receptacles and benches by Landscape Forms.

Fireworks marked the grand ceremonial start of the fountains at Millennium Park. A local choir sang both traditional hymns and contemporary inspirations. The park forms a gateway to the civic and cultural center of the city by reflecting on its past and pointing toward its future. Millennium Park is the product of a visionary city staff with the desire to provide an elegant and inspiring amenity for their citizens. LASN

? The entire fountain becomes a luminary, seemingly lit from within. Sandstone and limestone banding are revealed in shadows created by the KIM fixtures embedded in the paving below. Rough textured limestone encases the core of polished limestone, serving as a reminder of the heritage of the city of Irving while looking toward an even brighter future.