Construction work begins this month on an area by the Please Touch Museum to make access to West Fairmount Park and the surrounding streets safer and more enjoyable for pedestrians.
The Parkside Pedestrian Improvements Project includes a crosswalk with a pedestrian-activated signal, landscaping, roundabouts and restriped bike lanes. The project boundaries are Avenue of the Republic to the north in front of the Please Touch Museum, East and West Montgomery Drives, and Parkside Avenue to the south.
This phase will also include the construction of a crosswalk with a pedestrian-activated signal across S. Concourse Dr. to the Welsh Fountain. The crosswalk connecting Welsh Fountain to the Please Touch Museum will also be improved.
An overview of the project site. Take a virtual tour of the Parkside Pedestrian Improvements Project here.
Later this summer, bike lanes will be striped and roundabouts will be constructed on South Concourse Drive at intersections of East and West Montgomery Drives. There will be partial road closures during the installation of the crosswalk and roundabouts.
The installation of roundabouts is under review by the Philadelphia Streets Department and will help address the speeding issues on this stretch of road in West Fairmount Park.
A later phase of the project in fall 2022 will create a special gathering place in front of the Welsh Fountain between East and West Montgomery Drives, bringing free events and programming to the space. This activation will also reduce the width of the road, be protected from parking, and create a safer crossing experience for pedestrians.
The Parkside Pedestrian Improvement project is a continuation of the Parkside Edge project, which was completed in 2018. Parkside Edge includes a series of rain gardens, swing benches, landscaping, and community gathering spaces along Parkside Avenue from 41st St. to Belmont Ave. Over the years, it has been home to a range of community events, including farmers markets, movie nights, West Park Arts Fest, community meetings, book clubs, and more.
The Parkside Pedestrian Improvements Project is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources, the William Penn Foundation, and The McLean Contributionship.
To learn more about the pedestrian improvements and to receive project updates, please visit the Parkside Pedestrian Improvements Project Page. You can also watch our virtual Open House from 2021 that gives a detailed overview of the project phases.
