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South Main Plaza

South Main Plaza

South Main Plaza

South Main Plaza

Downtown Mount Vernon is in a state of renaissance with new cultural venues, restaurants, and businesses. By reimagining the Buchwald Plaza, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is proud to invite the community and guests to enjoy South Main Plaza — a gathering space that brings vitality and whimsy to the Downtown Historic District.

The Fountain

The focal point of South Main Plaza is an inviting, fun fountain, inspired by world-renowned landscape architect Claude Cormier’s fountain in Toronto’s Berczy Park. The idea behind the fountain came after Gambier resident Phil Samuell saw photos of the Toronto fountain on the Internet. Samuell and his wife, Mary, along with their golden retriever, Sandy, eventually met Cormier and visited the park.

The fountain features painted cast aluminum sculptures of 18 dogs, one cat, two pairs of birds, a pony and an apple.

The Sculptures

  1. Saint Bernard
  2. American Shorthair Cat
  3. Bernese Mountain Dog
  4. Canadian Warblers
  5. Giant Schnauzer
  6. Drinking Fountain
  7. Bull Terrier
  8. Shetland Pony
  9. Cortland Apple
  10. German Shepherd
  11. Golden Retriever
  12. Dalmatian Puppy
  13. West Highland Terrior
  14. Scottish Terrier
  15. Jack Russell Terrier
  16. Bernese Mountain Puppy
  17. Saint Bernard Puppy
  18. Pug Male
  19. Fox Terrier
  20. Great Dane Puppy
  21. Golden Retriever Puppy
  22. Pug Female
  23. Beagle
  24. Eastern Bluebirds

The Finished Fountain

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DESIGN PROCESS

"It is exciting to see our downtown buzzing with a flurry of activity and vibrancy when so many similarly-sized downtowns feel somewhat abandoned. We are both proud and thankful to partner with our friends at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in continuing the development of a special space that brings community members together in such a unique and fun way, while providing an attraction for visitors alike."

Jen Odenweller, Executive Director of The Ariel Foundation

"A decade ago, the University joined with others to revitalize the downtown area. We renovated space for our art students, nursing and health students and engineering students. We operate a coffee shop and hotel that bring many people to the area. With the completion of the lofts, even more people will be downtown. I believe Mount Vernon will be the model community to show the value of partnering for growth."

Former MVNU President Dr. Henry W. Spaulding II

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