The Fountain's Last Riposte: A Eulogy for San Francisco's Iconic Skate Spot The Vaillancourt fountain, a concrete monolith at Embarcadero Plaza since 1971, has been a contentious fixture in San Francisco's urban landscape.
Love it or hate it – opinions were always plentiful – the fountain was an integral part of the city's skate culture and architectural heritage.
Designed to evoke medieval piazzas and baroque waterworks, the fountain encouraged immersive interaction between visitors and the urban environment.