Revamped Cope Fountain on UNK campus enhances accessibility, gathering opportunities When the original Cope Fountain was dedicated in 1995 at what had been a University of Nebraska at Kearney crossroads, the primary goal was to create a gathering place in the heart of east campus. The goal of the recently completed new Cope Fountain is to enhance gathering opportunities. “This version of the fountain can be a year-round feature. Even when the water isn’t running, people can gather, ” said Lee McQueen, director of UNK Facilities Management and Planning. Both fountains honor the late Ron and Carol Cope of Kearney, who were longtime UNK and community supporters. The more modern, more accessible 2020 fountain is at the original site, with Men’s Hall, Antelope Hall, Copeland Hall and Memorial Student Affairs Building at the northwest, northeast, southeast and southwest corners, respectively. McQueen said the original Cope Fountain was a wonderful feature because its installation made UNK a pedestrian campus. He said many alumni and other longtime Kearney residents remember when 26th Street ran east-west through campus and people could drive, even park, from 24th Street north to the Centennial Towers. Those streets were closed and the fountain is at the former crossroads. The original fountain’s design was traditional and typical of its era, McQueen said about the pool of water inside a low circular brick wall. People could sit on the wall and visit or put their feet in the water. However, those opportunities weren’t accessible to everyone. The 2020 fountain’s design includes 21 nozzles — eight outer ring arching jets, eight middle ring column jets, four center ring column jets and one large column in the center — built into a flat surface. There are scattered sitting stones instead of a wall. Those features enhance gathering opportunities, McQueen said, because the fountain now is visually and physically accessible to more people. It also is a more inviting place for year-round gathering. McQueen said water typically was in the original Cope Fountain from spring commencement time to Thanksgiving. That timing could be “stretched somewhat” for the new fountain. “I’m anxious to be around when it’s dark enough, ” McQueen said about the new fountain’s light features. Lights in the water nozzles and artificial stones are among programming options for the fountain. He said planners considered using limestone or granite stones, but chose a man-made material so lights could be installed. The lights will be part of evening entertainment when the water feature is running and will enhance safety in other months by lighting the way around the stones.