The first fountain next to the arch was completed in 1852 and replaced in 1872. In 1851, it was described as having "a very large circular basin, with a central jet and several side jets." A story on the completion of the fountain appeared in the first edition of the New-York Daily Times, which would eventually become the New York Times. In 1934, Robert Moses had the fountain renovated to also serve as a wading pool. Since around the end of World War II, folksingers had been congregating on warm Sunday afternoons at the fountain in the center of the park.
