On Monday February 9, Fairmount Park Conservancy joined Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and State Representative Regina Young (185th District) in FDR Park to celebrate new funding that will support ecological restoration and recreation in the park.
Representative Young announced two new grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development that will improve natural habitat in the park and expand car-free access to nature for cyclists and pedestrians:
- A $125,000 Greenways, Trails & Recreation Program grant will build another segment of the park’s Franklin 5K, a multi-use trail separated from car traffic that will loop around the entire park upon completion.
- A $150,000 grant from the DCED Watershed Restoration & Protection Program will support riparian restoration along Shedbrook Creek, re-establishing native habitat to welcome park users and wildlife.
Conservancy CEO Tony Sorrentino observed that these grants “double down on two of the park’s great strengths: its accessible location, and its natural history.”
“The impacts are immense,” he added. “Better access to nature and all its health and educational benefits, better access to recreation, and better car-free navigation throughout the park.”
Representative Young noted that the Shedbrook Creek project is key to the 100-acre “Nature Phase” of the FDR Park Plan, which will introduce thousands of climate resilient trees and biodiverse natural plants to the park.
Representative Young also emphasized that park investments are especially important for children’s wellbeing. “We need to make sure that we have great supporters who are climate centered but also children focused,” she said. The FDR Park Plan, which includes new play spaces as well as climate-resilient land care and infrastructure investments, is exactly that.
Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson thanked Representative Young for her state-level support and partnership in service to Philadelphia’s public spaces. “This is what the Mayor’s vision is about: a safer, cleaner, greener area. This right here represents a little piece of what’s happening throughout the city,” she said.
“Philadelphia is a premier city, and this is for everyone – for people that live in the community, and people that use SEPTA to come here with their families.”
Advancing Ecology
The FDR Park Plan is Philadelphia’s largest, most public-facing investment in climate resilience. Project partners have already completed the construction of a 33-acre tidal wetland with over 7,000 native trees and shrubs planted to foster biodiversity and welcome wildlife. In the next stage of ecological work, the City and Conservancy will plant another 7,000 trees and reestablish 100 acres of resilient, native natural habitat in the western half of FDR Park. This effort will restore the wetland, forest, and riparian (riverbank) areas of the park, which were disrupted in the 20th century by the construction of a golf course which has since closed.
Expanding Accessibility
The Franklin 5K will expand recreational opportunities throughout FDR Park by creating a car-free, multi-use loop trail that travels across the entire park. Hiking and biking trails were among the top 10 most requested program elements during the community engagement process that shaped the FDR Park Plan.
Pivotally, the 5K path connects to the Gateway Plaza at Broad St. and Pattison Avenue which is close to SEPTA and Indego stations. Completion of the path will enable cyclists and pedestrians to have an entirely car-free adventure to and within the park.
Historic Investment
The FDR Park Plan is a once-in-a generation investment to reimagine a historic Olmsted Park to serve 21st century Philadelphians. Since breaking ground in 2022, the $250 million park plan has completed five projects improving park visitor experiences, including:
- Anna C. Verna Playground: the award-winning playground featuring North America’s largest swingset.
- Gateway Plaza: a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly entryway to the park at Pattison Avenue and Broad Street, close to the Broad Street Subway line and a new bike path.
- FDR Park Welcome Center: the park’s first-ever base for park operations and visitor amenities featuring a courtyard, public restrooms, concession spaces, an events hall, and meeting areas for public and private events.
- Tidal Wetland: a 33-acre wetland constructed in partnership with PHL Airport, includes the addition of more than 7,000 climate-resilient native trees and shrubs, manages tidal flow in the estuarial park, and supports local wildlife.
- Pattison Lagoon: the ecological restoration of the lagoon includes hundreds of native trees and shrubs.
