Submitted by Washington State Department of Enterprise Services
Spring hours for the Tivoli Fountain on the Washington State Capitol Campus have begun following a brief closure last week for seasonal maintenance.
The iconic fountain northeast of the Legislative Building will now operate from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily. Evening hours will adjust as the days lengthen.
“This is a great time to explore the Capitol Campus, view Tivoli Fountain and enjoy all the signs of spring in our landscape,” said Marygrace Goddu, cultural resources manager for Enterprise Services.
There are more than 100 species of trees at the capitol, and many will soon begin to brighten with blooms, including the cotton-candy pink Kwanzan flowering-cherry, Yoshino flowering-cherry and Saucer Magnolia trees. New plantings surrounding Tivoli Fountain add even more color and splendor to the natural landscape.
Beauty with Sustainability
Installed nearly 65 years ago, Tivoli Fountain is a popular spot for photographs. Last year, it underwent a restoration project to upgrade its piping and mechanical systems. Now, the fountain uses less water and energy and requires less maintenance.
During winter months, the fountain ran at reduced levels, without the water displays from the outermost basin ring. This minimized water spray drift and prevented icy sidewalks on cold days. The fountain’s water displays now reflect full operational choreography, with seven settings that change every seven minutes.
As part of the recent maintenance work, crews added filter screens to the outer basins, and did some fine-tuning of the fountain’s operating system. With its new plumbing system, the restored fountain can operate year-round.
Tivoli Fountain is a replica of a Roman-style fountain that was donated to the state by the Olympia-Tumwater Foundation. It’s just one of numerous memorials and public pieces of art on the Capitol Campus.
Learn about more Capitol Campus treasures on Enterprise Services’ interactive map.
