Fountain of Rings Show Schedule, Water Features, and Visual Spectacle: a Firsthand Look
By Chloe Bennett
The installation was designed by fountain architecture firm Wet Design ahead of the Centennial Olympic Games, conceived as the emotional and structural centerpiece of the 21-acre park. Rather than creating a fenced-off reflecting pool or an untouchable marble sculpture, planners laid out the Olympic rings across a flat, walkable granite plaza measuring 60 feet across. Five distinct rings, each measuring 25 feet in diameter, embed directly into the hardscape.
Below the surface sits a heavy mechanical room running commercial-grade filtration, chemical treatment systems, and high-pressure pumping loops. The 251 computer-controlled water jets do not operate on basic on-off timers. They use compressed air and variable-frequency drives to modulate water column height, firing rapid bursts called "chobas" or holding sustained, towering spires that mimic Olympic torches. The system recirculates roughly 1,500 gallons of water every minute during peak operation, constantly running it through rapid sand filters and chlorination units to maintain swimming-pool-grade sanitation for the thousands of children running across the wet stone.
Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.
