Restoration has begun on a landmark fountain in Schenley Plaza, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy said Tuesday.The fountain sculpture, titled “A Song to Nature,” created by Victor David Brenner, was dedicated 90 years ago to acknowledge Mary Schenley’s gift and later sale of land to become Schenley Park.

Brenner is perhaps best known as the designer of the Lincoln penny. The figures on his bronze fountain — his first large-scale public project — are an allegorical depiction of culture taming nature.

Conservancy president and CEO Meg Cheever said an inspection of the fountain found corrosion, staining and cracks. Its plumbing stopped functioning in spring.

The restoration, expected to be completed by October, will include repairs, cleaning, plumbing, paving and landscaping. A gift from The Benter Foundation will provide lighting for the fountain and plaza.In addition to The Benter Foundation, money for the restoration is coming from the Allegheny Regional Asset District, the Howard E. and Nell E. Miller Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, The H. Glenn Sample Jr. MD Memorial Fund through the PNC Charitable Trust Grant Review Committee, and the Juliet Lea Hillman Simonds Foundation.