Raleigh needs an attraction!

It’s just what Houston needs: more humidity in the air! :anxious_face_with_sweat:

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I mean it’s been there forever and it was a really nice feature when I lived there. My kid really liked it too. Houston has a ridiculous amount of water features downtown to activate their parks to either cool off, have lunch at, etc. I don’t think it makes that big of a difference in the Houston humidity but it does make a big difference to families who don’t have access to pools or live at a complex where the pool was constantly “being repaired.”

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When I lived in Houston, there was hardly a reason to go to the pool in my complex because it was hot like a bathtub.
Why not just have a splash zone like at Dix Park?

I read that and thought the same thing! Oh look, it’s a humidity maker! :rofl:

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Zurich had these lion statues all over the city in the mid 80’s.

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You know, I kinda hesitated to post my idea on this forum because, you don’t know what kind of responses you’re gonna get. I’m not talking wolves, or pigs, or cow statuettes scattered around town. I’m suggesting a permanent work of art located in a spot where people can come and admire it. A real bonafide Attraction that will be a “destination” people would actually plan to visit! “Have you seen the new Oak Tree Fountain? It’s really Awesome” That kind of attraction! A place you could plan an afternoon around. Probably should talk to someone official, who could maybe start the ball rolling. Leo, got any suggestions on where to start?

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1000%, sir! I lived in Houston for almost 30 years…

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One would think that this would be a thing in Singapore!

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I love the idea of a destination art piece - particularly if it was a fountain, which I will always advocate for. gotta admit that my first thought when you suggested an oak tree fountain was the old sculpter at the center of Crabtree Mall - man that thing was ugly, lol. If an artist could work out the oak tree fountain, I am all in. Other options could just be a really great fountain sculpture - like some of the ones in Houston - or even just an oak tree that was some kinetic element. I am glad you mentioned this @Vwoot - I don’t think you should hesitate to share your ideas with this group. The idea will get batted around, and sure some grumps will hate it, but heck, this is all about sharing and envisioning how to make DTR better. And you are right on point about that little triangle park being an idea place for something.

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This thing may be ugly but put it outside somewhere in the city and suddenly it looks amazing, IMO. Bonus points if it’s a real, working fountain that has water cascading down each “branch” (did it?)

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Yeah, it did, but it was a Crabtree. I’m talking about an Oak tree. A statue/fountain that is the very symbol of the City of Oaks! I’m going to try to generate some momentum, and see if this can be a reality. “It can happen”

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Just my opinion, but I feel like I would get more out of a observation tower that was designed like an oak tree. Functional and an art piece you could experience close up. A step further, put one up in each of Smoky Hollow Park, Dix Park, Hillsborough St/West St wedge, Chavis Park and have them all connected with bike lanes /avenues. Reinforces the brand of the city around the oak tree and also active/outdoorsy. With the e-bikes, instant must-do for any tourist / locals weekend activity.

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shoot - have them be the gondola stations!!

I really do like the ideas of a) an observation tower of some sort b) significant art pieces (fountains, sculptures, obelisks) that serve as visual destinations and draw people in that direction. When Rome went through a significant rebuilding in the early 1600s, Pope Sixtus IV created new roads and used rediscovered Egyptian obelisks as markers to direct the pilgrims to the significant churches and spaces. It still works well today for finding your way around.

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Yeah, it was totally real. As a kid, I loved it!

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That sounds great, but way more expensive, and time consuming than a single statue. I believe you’d have a better chance of success convincing the City to invest in something that is free for anybody to enjoy anytime. Businesses will see the attraction, and capitalize on the retail, and restaurants opportunities.

a lenovo-funded downtown tower where you can see lenovo center from the top
repeat with advance auto parts and their tower in north hills, bandwidth and their campus to the west, etc

A statue/fountain would be a place to gather for photo ops, weddings, small musical events, with nearby restaurants, and retail, and residential. Easily becoming a bonafide new destination for the City! Perhaps an Artist’s rendering could spark some excitement! Clearly, I feel very strongly in favor of this being a future project. My hope is that more people would also envision this, and the public would embrace the idea, and give it momentum! I’m not going to let the idea die!

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No worries, we’ll just get @Jake to whip up some of his world class renderings :wink:

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Whaddya say Jake? A picture is worth a thousand words!

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I’m no Jake, but here’s a fountain with elements using the city flag as inspiration. I couldn’t get Gemini to equally place the acorns around as “seat dividers” on the basin wall

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