A life size figure of a child sitting on a plinth (sandstone) within a pool, frogs seated on the raised perimeter spouting water. The pond is designed to be in easy reach of children.

"In 1950* a bequest of £100 was left to the city by a Thorndon resident MJ Kilgour to be used towards the purchase of a sculpture. Fierce debates between city officials occurred on the definition of fine art and true sculpture versus mere utility. It took sixteen years before Icy Fountain was set in its pool near the Tinakori Road entrance of Wellington Botanic Garden and surrounded by attendant frogs.”
- Source: Wellington Sculpture Trust newsletter, Winter 2000, via Wellington City Recollect

* This must be a typo: records say the bequest was in 1930.

A plaque installed with the work reads:

“The Joy Fountain, installed in 1946, was refurbished by Wellington City Council in 2008 with the support of the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden.”

Generations of children (and a few adults) visiting the gardens have discovered that, by placing their finger over the spout in the frogs’ mouths, they can pressurise and direct the flow of water to squirt other people, with much ensuing delight. The polished backs of the frogs evidence the tactile appeal of this work.