Situated between City Hall and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, LOVE Park–so named for Robert Indiana’s famous sculpture–is one of Philadelphia’s most iconic community spaces. Its central location (15th and JFK Boulevard) and cultural status make it essential that LOVE Park be an accessible, inclusive, and truly public space for our citizens. To ensure that the relaunch of LOVE Park sets this tone, Fairmount Park Conservancy is using the power of arts and culture, and our ArtPlace America Community Development Investment grant, to welcome park-goers and encourage discovery and interchange.
Recently reopened after a two-year-long redesign by landscape architecture firm Hargreaves Associates, the park now offers improved edge-side connections, generous lawn space, and new fountain jets that inspire summertime play while providing additional space in the winter months. With new arts and culture programming, the Conservancy is fostering connections among park-goers of diverse backgrounds and engaging people in a dialogue about civic life and the role of public space in 21st century cities. Here are just some of the exciting things planned for LOVE Park in the coming months:
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- FringeArts will collaborate with the Conservancy to bring free participatory performances and art events into the park during the city’s annual Fringe Festival in September.
- Through the production of a LOVE Park-specific children’s activity book, the Conservancy will engage with the park’s youngest visitors in a new and exciting way. The activity book will be distributed to children visiting the neighboring Family Court building and other outlets, and encourage exploration, creativity, and participation in the public space.
- A new Game Cart, designed by the community-based design group Public Workshop, will allow park visitors of all ages to ‘check out’ various games and activities.
- A call for student artists from four nearby college programs will engage local artists in establishing the park as an inclusive stage for diverse voices.
- and more!
Photos by Albert Yee for Fairmount Park Conservancy
As Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Executive Director Jamie Gauthier notes, “LOVE Park has always been a dynamic space that fosters gatherings, demonstrations, and celebrations; a deeper investment in the public spaces that bring us together is a sure signal of our city’s revival and a commitment to the well-being of its citizens.”
To learn more about LOVE Park programming, please click here.