FDR Park Plan

South Philadelphia

Fairmount Park Conservancy, in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, launched a planning process for the 348-acre FDR Park in South Philadelphia. The goal is to revitalize the park, restoring it back to its original intent as an urban oasis for people as well as plants and animals, and creating a shared vision for the park’s future.

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Relighting of Boathouse Row

A Philadelphia icon

Fairmount Park’s Boathouse Row is a central identifying icon of Philadelphia. Fairmount Park Conservancy is partnering with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to replace and upgrade the existing light system, and the boathouses are expected to shine again in early 2024.

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Fairmount Park Trolley Trail

Rediscovering lost linkages

Creating a continuous trail that follows the pathway of the scenic trolley that ran through the woods of West Fairmount Park in the early 20th century.

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Cobbs Creek Rebuild Projects

Cobbs Creek

Fairmount Park Conservancy has been selected as the Rebuild Project User for the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation owned sites of Johnny Sample (Cobbs Creek) Recreation Center and the Cobbs Creek Environmental Center. As the Project User, the Conservancy is tasked with community engagement, design, and construction of capital improvements to both properties.

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John Welsh Memorial Fountain

West Fairmount Park

The Welsh Fountain is a historic landmark of West Fairmount Park, originally built to honor the chairman of the board of finance of the United States 1876 Centennial Exhibit, John Welsh. Fairmount Park Conservancy, in partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, has taken upon rehabilitating the fountain and its landscape while improving safety, comfort, and accessibility for park users.

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Completed Projects

Parkside Pedestrian Improvements

Creating safer access to West Fairmount Park

A series of safety improvements are underway for this area of the Parkside Edge that will create a safer and more accessible way for Parkside residents and West Philadelphia to enjoy Fairmount Park. Improvements include pedestrian walkways, restriped bike lanes, roundabouts, landscaping, and a pop-up parklet at the Welsh Fountain.

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East Fairmount Park Horseshoe Pits

East Fairmount Park

The Conservancy is worked closely with community partners and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to bring horseshoe pits to East Fairmount Park.

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Fairmount Park Horticulture Forest and Creek Restoration

Restoring the forests and habitat around Fairmount Park Horticulture Center

Two small creeks wend their way through a world class arboretum dating to the Centennial Exhibition and a carefully manicured 17th c. Japanese house and garden on their way to the Schuylkill.

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Centennial Commons

West Fairmount Park

The Conservancy has been working closely with the Parkside community to envision a new community gathering space along the Parkside Avenue edge of West Fairmount Park.

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LOVE Park Welcome Center renovation

Center City

As part of the multi-million dollar reconstruction of LOVE Park, the iconic and historic Welcome Center building is being completely renovated, including all new exterior glass, roof, interior finishes, lighting, security and mechanical systems. The renovated building will house a new restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating.

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Mander Playground & Recreation Center

East Fairmount Park

A comprehensive design and engagement process for Mander Playground (including the recreation center and grounds) and its connections to the Boxers’ Trail, Randolph Creek, and the Schuylkill River in East Fairmount Park will lead to a comprehensive plan for future investments at Mander Playground and selected areas of East Fairmount Park.

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Reimagining the Civic Commons

Reimagining Public Space in Philadelphia

In 2014, Philadelphia was identified by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as ‘learning laboratory’ to explore new ideas and pilot new strategies related to ‘reimaging the civic commons’ that, if successful, could be replicated in cities nationwide.

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Hunting Park Revitalization Project

A new green anchor in North Philadelphia

The Conservancy recently completed Phase I of the revitalization of Hunting Park, investing $4.5 million in capital projects and programs.

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The New Fairmount Park

A multi-year plan for East and West Fairmount Park

The Conservancy is in the process of a multi-year focus in East and West Fairmount Park, beginning with the completion and unveiling of The New Fairmount Park — a community-driven revitalization plan created with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Penn Praxis.

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Concourse Lake Stabilization

Improving water quality and enhancing habitat

Stabilization work on sections of Concourse Lake's northern wall.

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The Boxers' Trail

East Fairmount Park

The completed Boxers’ Trail connects the historic Smith Memorial Playground and the historic mansions of Fairmount Park to the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood as well as to the regional trail system that leads to Valley Forge. A fully implemented Boxers’ Trail now invites a new group of diverse park enthusiasts to experience a beautiful, but underutilized, portion of Fairmount Park.

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Belmont Plateau Trail Restoration

Revitalizing a Regional Asset

One of the most historic courses in American cross country, the Belmont Plateau in West Fairmount Park is a place where generations of Philadelphia runners trained and raced.

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Water Works South Garden and Cliff Paths

From the moment the Fairmount Park Water Works opened in the early 1800s, it was hailed as an engineering marvel and an architectural masterpiece. The Water Works’ South Garden was considered one of Philadelphia’s most beautiful places and formed the basis for what would be become the Philadelphia parks system.

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McPherson Square Park

KaBOOM! It’s here!

In 2010, over 200 volunteers from the Kensington community, Philadelphia Flyers, Wells Fargo, Impact Services Corporation, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Conservancy built a brand new 2,500 square foot playground in McPherson Square Park for hundreds of youth to enjoy.

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