The centerpiece of the Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the Salmon Street Springs fountain keeps locals and visitors alike entertained for hours. The fountain, which must be among the most unique and delightful ever invented, consists of 185 ground-level water jets arranged in a wide circle. Controlled by an underground computer that continually changes their patterns, each jet shoots a column of water into the center of the circle where they all collide in a spectacular visual display.
The fountain's three cycles are mysteriously called Misters, Bollards, and Wedding Cake. Known locally as a "guessing fountain," the variations of its spray patterns have given rise to the popular pasttime of trying to outsmart the fountain by traversing the circle without getting wet. Not just for kids, everyone from grandmothers to lawyers in business suits try their hand at beating the fountain, and visitors should make it a point to join in the fun.
