The first of Kansas City’s fountain to be erected north of the Missouri River and the only “public” river which operates all year round is The Northland Fountain. It is likewise called the "Spirit of Cooperation" because it illustrates the unified effort of the public and private sectors working together.

In 1980 the city purchased 8 acres of land to create the North Gate Park. The Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary had donated part of the land with an agreement that an outdoor fountain be built there. A spot high on a hill near North Oak Traffic way and Vivion Road was identified as a potential fountain site and plans to construct the fountain began.

The city did not have the available fund hence; two Northlanders led the fundraising efforts namely Charles Garney, an area developer, and Anita Gorman, a civic activist. Later, the park itself was renamed the Anita Gorman Park as a tribute to her efforts to develop and improve the area. Businesses, school children and church groups alike donated any amount to raise the $250,000 necessary to build the fountain. This led to the fountain being named as the “Spirit of Cooperation”.

In the planning process, it was decided to have a year-round fountain to contribute a unique one for the city. They contacted the Hydrel Company of Sun Valley, California who made a similar fountain for the city of Stuttgart, Germany.

The fountain is composed of an 80 diameter circular reflecting pool, equipped with multiple water jets. The highlight of the fountain is its central geyser that can propel water to a height of 35 feet, where it breaks into a fine mist of tiny droplets. An inner circle of jets surrounds the central spout and sprays water away from the center at a height of 10 feet. An outer circle casts its arching water towards the center where it meets the spray from the inner jets. In the winter, the fountain looks like a giant snowball.

Since the fountain can be operated all year round, the fountain is particularly amazing to view during winter where the water sprays create organic ice sculptures that grow and change. The fountain was dedicated in June 21, 1983.