July 30, 2004

	Images Courtesy The Royal Parks

The newly opened Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in London's Hyde Park closed on July 22 due to safety concerns. Designed by Seattle landscape artist Kathryn Gustafson, the $6.7-million moat-like structure consists of a flowing ring of water over a one-acre planted area.

The memorial, dedicated on July 6, has since been drained, barricaded and closed indefinitely. Two adults and a child suffered minor injuries when they slipped and fell in the fountain, which is lined with smooth-cut granite. But the fountain experienced other problems, including flooding and a malfunctioning water pump, before its closing.

"An immediate meeting of the fountain designers, engineers and independent health and safety experts has been called," said The Royal Parks in a statement. "The fountain will not be re-opened until the investigation is complete and any additional safety features that may prove necessary are in place."

Gustafson's design, entitled "Reaching Out -- Letting In," is meant to express Diana's open and gracious public nature with "a necklace, set lightly across the existing contours of the site." With depths of one-quarter inch to 10 inches, visitors were encouraged to wade in the channel's water.

Gustafson and her London partner Neil Porter beat-out proposals from Sir Terry Farrell, Zaha Hadid, and Future Systems with Anish Kapoor to land the commission in July 2002.

Tony Illia

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