This spring, as Philadelphia began its final countdown to the FIFA World Cup, Fairmount Park Conservancy and partners like Comcast teamed up to prepare Lemon Hill to serve as one of Philadelphia’s most visible gathering places, ensuring the historic East Fairmount Park site is ready to welcome fans, neighbors, vendors, and visitors from around the world.
A key part of that readiness is new fiber infrastructure from Comcast Business that will support guest WiFi, vendor connectivity, and event operations during Philadelphia’s FIFA Fan Festival, which will run from June 11 through July 19 at Lemon Hill. The connectivity investment will also support future use of the site, strengthening Lemon Hill’s ability to serve the community beyond this summer’s festivities.
“Philadelphia knows how to bring people together, from neighborhood celebrations to major events on the national and global stage,” said Dan Bonelli, Regional Senior Vice President for Comcast Freedom Region. “At Lemon Hill, Comcast is proud to help deliver new connectivity to the area in time to support the city’s needs for this summer and beyond.”
The investment brings Comcast Business services, including multi-gigabit, symmetrical Internet from America’s smartest and most reliable converged network to Lemon Hill, as well as the permanent installation of a number of Xfinity WiFi hotspots. This builds on a broader effort this spring to care for and activate Lemon Hill ahead of the Fan Festival. Through the Lemon Hill Spring Volunteer Series, Fairmount Park Conservancy, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, Comcast Business, and nearly 200 volunteers joined forces across four workdays in April and May to prepare the gateway landscape surrounding Lemon Hill.
Known as the birthplace of Fairmount Park, Lemon Hill has long been part of Philadelphia’s civic story, an historic landscape where generations of residents have gathered, explored, and connected with the city’s public spaces. This summer, it will take on a new role as the site of Philadelphia’s FIFA Fan Festival, a free public celebration expected to draw residents and visitors throughout the tournament.
During the spring volunteer series, participants helped beautify and care for the site through tree care, litter and debris removal, trail edging, shrub plantings, and stewardship across the landscape. Their work helped prepare a welcoming, vibrant public space for one of the most visible moments in Philadelphia’s summer.
The effort reflects Fairmount Park Conservancy’s mission to activate and care for parks through the power of people. It also shows how major events can bring new attention, partnership, and investment to the public spaces that serve Philadelphia every day.
“Lemon Hill has always been a place where Philadelphians gather,” said Tony Sorrentino, CEO of Fairmount Park Conservancy. “As the city prepares to welcome fans from around the world, we’re proud to work with Comcast and our volunteers to help ensure this historic landscape is ready for the moment in every way, from connectivity to the physical beauty of the space, while remaining rooted in the community it serves. This summer represents another historic milestone for this landscape, and a perfect opportunity to leave a lasting positive impact.”
For Philadelphia, Lemon Hill’s role in the FIFA Fan Festival is another reminder of the city’s ability to bring people together, from neighborhood traditions to major events on the national and global stage. Preparing the site has required attention not only to the visitor experience, but to the long-term value of a public space that will continue to serve residents after the tournament ends.
The Conservancy is proud to collaborate with neighborhood partners, cultural organizations, city agencies, and civic partners to ensure celebrations in Fairmount Park this summer reflect Philadelphia’s identity and create lasting benefits for the park and its surrounding communities.
Philly parks need you! Visit Fairmount Park Conservancy’s volunteer page to find more opportunities to get involved.
