Why you should experience the LOVE Park Fountain (JFK Plaza Fountain) in Philadelphia.
The LOVE Park Fountain (JFK Plaza Fountain) is where movement, light, and sound come together to create one of Philadelphia’s most uplifting public spaces.
Set against the timeless silhouette of Robert Indiana’s LOVE Sculpture, the fountain anchors the plaza with a sense of serenity and playfulness, a living heartbeat in the center of the city. Streams of water rise and fall in rhythmic choreography, catching sunlight that scatters into thousands of tiny prisms. On warm afternoons, the air cools with mist; at night, the jets glow with soft, shifting colors that mirror the energy of the park itself. The fountain invites everyone in, children dart through its arcs, couples linger on the benches that surround it, and commuters pause just long enough to feel the calm pulse of the water. In a city defined by grit and grace, the JFK Plaza Fountain offers a moment of effortless joy, a simple reminder that beauty, like love, flows best when shared.
What you didn’t know about the LOVE Park Fountain.
The LOVE Park Fountain has been part of LOVE Park’s story since the plaza’s original design in 1965, though its current incarnation reflects a complete reimagining of how people interact with urban water features.
The original fountain, a single, dramatic jet, was removed during the 2016, 2018 redesign, making way for the new interactive system that opened in 2018 as part of Philadelphia’s urban renewal initiative. The redesign was led by Hargreaves Associates and KieranTimberlake, who envisioned the fountain not as a static centerpiece, but as a democratic space for play, reflection, and movement. The current design features 126 programmable jets arranged in a broad grid, creating dynamic patterns that shift with time of day, weather, and public events. Beneath the surface, a complex network of lights and pumps allows the fountain to “breathe,” transforming from a tranquil mirror in the morning to a vibrant spectacle by evening. Few visitors realize the system also recycles water, part of Philadelphia’s broader commitment to sustainability. The fountain’s design draws inspiration from the city’s nickname, the “City of Brotherly Love”, celebrating connection through a feature that blurs the boundaries between architecture, environment, and emotion.
How to fold the LOVE Park Fountain into your trip.
When visiting LOVE Park, plan to spend a few unhurried moments by the JFK Plaza Fountain, it’s the perfect place to pause between the city’s major landmarks.
Stand near the edge of the pool in the morning when sunlight reflects off the surrounding skyscrapers, or return at dusk when the fountain’s LED lights ripple through a spectrum of blues, pinks, and golds. In summer, the plaza becomes a lively gathering space where the fountain doubles as an interactive play zone, families cool off, photographers chase reflections, and street musicians fill the air with sound. For a more tranquil experience, visit early in the day, when the jets are low and the park’s mood is meditative. Bring a coffee from a nearby café and watch the scene unfold, skateboarders cruising past, wedding couples posing at the LOVE Sculpture, and locals cutting through on their way to City Hall. The fountain aligns perfectly with the Parkway’s central axis, offering a clear view toward the Philadelphia Museum of Art, making it one of the city’s best casual photo spots. If you’re visiting during the holidays, return after dark: the fountain lights synchronize with the Christmas Village nearby, turning the plaza into a glowing celebration of the season. Whether you come for stillness or for spectacle, the JFK Plaza Fountain embodies everything that defines Philadelphia, spirited, spontaneous, and grounded in the shared joy of everyday life.
Hear it from the Foresyte community.
“Cheesy? Absolutely. But you’ll still end up waiting in line for that perfect LOVE sign photo while pretending you’re above it.”
Where meaningful travel begins.
Start your journey with Foresyte, where the planning is part of the magic.
Discover the experiences that matter most.
