Fountain Square in Cincinnati, Ohio is a Vibrant Public Gathering Place

The symbolic center of Cincinnati, Ohio and a popular gathering place since its inception in 1871, Fountain Square is an area of the city that includes a variety of sites, from landmark buildings to restaurants and stores to offices, hotels, and a variety of entertainment options.

The square, which is located at the corner of Fifth and Vine Streets, was once the location of an outdoor butcher's market. The centerpiece of Fountain Square is indeed a fountain, known as the Tyler Davidson Fountain. This lovely piece of art was a gift to the city from Cincinnati businessman Henry Probasco in memory of his brother-in-law and business partner. The fountain was purchased by Probasco from the Royal Bronze Foundry of Bavaria in Germany. Its design is by August von Kreling and Ferdinard von Miller and it was created to rival the great fountains usually found in the cities of Europe. The fountain was designed to glorify the "genius of water'' and features four figures of animals that formerly served as drinking fountains. Atop the 43-foot fountain is a nine-foot-tall woman, cast in bronze, from whose hands flow streams of water. Tyler Davidson Fountain was renovated in 2005.

At that same time, other portions of the square were renovated in order to attract more visitors to the area. Revitalization continues on several buildings on Fountain Square and new landscaping and lighting has made the area around the square more inviting.

Currently, visitors to the area can enjoy such amenities as caf, tables with chess and checkers boards printed atop them, and a full-size ice rink that rivals the famous one located at New York's Rockefeller Center. Open seasonally, the rink offers skate rentals, lockers, and a heated tent with vending area. It's one of the most popular attractions along Fountain Square.

For those who'd like to work outdoors in the square's pretty setting, free wi-fi is offered via three rooftop towers that surround Fountain Square. For entertainment purposes, two stages are located in the square, one suitable for large-scale performances and the other geared towards speakers and individual performers. Concerts and theater and dance performances are scheduled often during the pleasant months from April through October.

Groves of trees and a variety of colorful flowers frame Fountain Square. Some provide a canopy for the seating below. More than 70 new planter boxes and pots were added to the area in spring 2009, adding yet more color to the square.

Bicycle racks are available for the convenience of visitors who travel on two wheels and a parking garage provides space for more than 600 vehicles. Several of the spaces are occupied by an AutoSpa, which will wash the occupant's car while they are shopping, dining, or sightseeing in the Fountain Square area.

The city has employed "Ambassadors'' who stroll through the Fountain Square area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These ambassadors can answer questions about the area and also serve as security officers to insure the safety of all visitors.