Friends of Marshall Square Park received $45,000 from a single benefactor.
By Justin Heinze (Patch Staff) June 19, 2015

Holly Brown, former Borough Council President and a member of FMSP’s Fountain Committee, said this gift allows the group to restore and install a working fountain before the end of this year.

The park’s new benefactor is Pat Loew, widow of well-known developer and philanthropist Jack Loew.

Her gift of $45,000 almost matches all funds raised by FMSP in the past few years.

In recognition, FMSP proposes to designate the restored fountain the “Jack Loew Memorial Fountain.”

Installed in 1889 at the northeast corner of the park, the five-tiered Victorian fountain quickly became a hub of community activity. By 1932, the Daily Local News wrote:

“When the tall central stream is turned on, tossing its waters high in the air, and filling the twenty-foot pool with spray… that produces a genuine thrill, a gorgeous effect to be remembered.”

By the 1950s, most of this great fountain was removed, leaving behind its basin and lowest tier. The upper portions were later found and saved from destruction by Gene and Joan Gagliardi, who installed them at their farm in East Bradford. With their help, Friends of Marshall Square Park recovered these sections in 2012, drew up plans for full restoration, and set about raising the needed funds.

The plans shown Thursday night include restoring the iron fountain and basin, installing a new iron fence to match the existing one, and re-laying and expanding the antique brick paving. At the end of the first phase, the fountain will be fully operational with a new pump, modern plumbing and electrical service, plus lighting and security features.

According to FMSP President Jeff Beitel, “Our goal is to create a welcoming space and gateway for our town.”

Anne Walters, FMSP Vice President and Chair of its Fountain Committee, pointed out that though current funds are enough to restore and install a working fountain, it will cost more to complete the “gateway” features. The final goal is $200,000, with almost $130,000 already raised or pledged by FMSP members and donors.

To reach the final goal, FMSP seeks donations of any amount and offers special recognition for major donors. Donor opportunity details are available at marshallsquarepark.org.

• 12:30 PM – Registration Opens (September 20, the day of the event)
• 1:30 PM – Kids Run
• 2:00 PM – 5K Run or 2 Mile Walk

FREE: T-Shirts for entrants and a FMSP water bottle for the first 25 registrants! Prizes to the top three male and the top three female finishers.

Registration is $20 before September 10th at 11:59pm and $25 after. The Kids Fun Run is $5.

The Friends of Marshall Square Park is a group of concerned neighbors formed to support the care, preservation and improvement of our Park for the benefit of the citizens of the Borough of West Chester.

Currently, we are raising money to restore the 1889 fountain and dedicate it in memory of Mrs. Joan Chandler Gagliardi, who did much to protect this treasure over the years.

Click to learn more about this and other FMSP fundraising opportunities.

They were joined by Gene Gagliardi, who is working with Gordon Woodrow on a major fundraising event for this October. Mr. Gagliardi and his late wife, Joan Chandler Gagliardi, saved this fountain from destruction over many years.

Jeff and Mary Veale, who purchased Southdown Farm in East Bradford from the Gagliardi family, are the last private owners of the fountain. They generously donated it to the Friends of Marshall Square Park, who have worked ever since to raise enough funds to restore the 1889 fountain.

We plan to dedicate the restored fountain in memory of Mrs. Joan Chandler Gagliardi, who did much to protect this treasure over the years.