The Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia has recognized Fairmount Park Conservancy and partners with a 2026 Grand Jury Award, honoring the thoughtful rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the park’s former guardhouse to create the future FDR Park Welcome Center. The project transforms a long-underutilized historic structure into a vibrant public asset within FDR Park.
Led by the Conservancy in partnership with the City of Philadelphia, the project repositions the park’s former guardhouse and stables into a dynamic, LEED Gold–certified hub for visitors and community life.
Originally constructed in 1919, the guardhouse and stables served as headquarters for the Park Guard Unit and later supported mounted police operations. Over time, the building fell into disuse and suffered from decades of deferred maintenance. As part of a broader effort to revitalize FDR Park for modern park needs, the Conservancy and its partners reimagined the historic complex as a welcoming public space, preserving its architectural character while introducing essential new amenities for the millions of people who visit the park each year.
Once open, the Welcome Center will offer public restrooms, community meeting rooms, park offices, and a staffed information center providing resources such as event listings, permits, and equipment rentals. A 3,800-square-foot event space will accommodate gatherings of up to 200 guests, while the open-air courtyard and terrace will provide inviting spaces for relaxation, programming, and food vendors. Located near the park’s main entrance and overlooking Pattison Lagoon, the site is positioned to serve as a central gateway for both neighborhood residents and visitors from across the region.
Throughout the project, the team prioritized preservation and sustainability. Original features (including glazed brickwork, wood windows and doors, and cast stone urns) were carefully restored, while salvaged materials from the former stables were repurposed into new architectural elements. The design also incorporates stormwater infrastructure, native plantings, and sustainable building systems to support long-term environmental resilience.
The Welcome Center sets a new standard for how historic preservation and public investment can work together to enhance Philadelphia’s parks. By bringing much-needed amenities, economic opportunity, and renewed access to a significant historic site, the Welcome Center can help FDR Park continue to serve as a vital community destination for generations to come.
Congratulations to our partners Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, WRT, Meliora Design, dbHMS, KS Engineers, Tillet Lighting Design Associates, CVM Structural Engineers, Daniel J. Keating Company, and The Reinvestment Fund.
Financial assistance for this project was provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Honorable Josh Shapiro, Governor as well as Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. Additional funding was provided by the City of Philadelphia and The 1772 Foundation.
We are grateful to the Preservation Alliance for recognizing this milestone project and the collaborative effort that made it possible!
