CONTACTS: Cara Schneider (215) 599-0789, [email protected] Daniel Davis (267) 546-0758, [email protected]
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PHILADELPHIA KEEPS ORIGINAL PROMISE AS A “GREENE COUNTRIE TOWN” Philly’s Public Space Renaissance Continues Into Formerly Underserved Neighborhoods
PHILADELPHIA, March 17, 2020 – The greening of Philadelphia’s urbanscape began more than 300 years ago — and continues wholeheartedly today. William Penn and Hannah Callowhill Penn, the city’s 17th-century founders envisioned Philadelphia as a “greene countrie town,” with planned parks integrated into residential and commercial life. Today, Philadelphia’s outdoor squares remain essential to Center City, but they’re just the start. Gardens dot Independence National Historical Park; parks line the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers; trees, trails and creeks flourish in expansive Fairmount Park; and just beyond city limits lie some of the nation’s preeminent horticultural destinations. Visitors can find more parks and public spaces in Philadelphia and the Countryside here.
Penn’s Squares: Created in the 17th century, still vibrant — and, in some cases, utterly transformed — these five original city squares created the framework of William Penn and Hannah Callowhill Penn’s vision for a “greene countrie town.” • Dilworth Park (formerly Centre Square) – City Hall’s western-facing front yard is a multi-use space with tree groves, benches, two cafes and a large programmable fountain that becomes an ice rink in the winter. 15th & Market streets, (215) 440-5500, dilworthpark.org • Franklin Square – The former North East Square is a family haven, with an historic fountain that dances to lights and music, a carousel, playgrounds, food stand, Philly-themed mini golf course, and, in spring, an illuminating Chinese Lantern Festival. 6th & Race streets, (215) 629-4026, historicphiladelphia.org • Logan Square – The former North West Square features the tree-rimmed Swann Memorial Fountain, by Alexander Stirling Calder, which, on warmer days, becomes a cooling-off spot among younger park-goers. 19th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway • Rittenhouse Square – The Penns likely never imagined how popular this green space, with its walkways, sculptures, fountains and reflecting pool, would become among strollers, readers, children, artists, picnickers and dogs. Craft fairs, farmers’ markets and other events shine a spotlight on the picturesque location all year. 18th & Walnut streets, friendsofrittenhouse.org • Washington Square – Named South East Square in 1682, this grazing pasture has been a burial ground for African Americans, Revolutionary War soldiers and victims of the 1793 yellow fever epidemic. It was also a gathering spot for colonial-era African Americans, who dubbed the park “Congo Square.” Today, modern residences surround the park, now home to the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier. 6th & Walnut streets -more-
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Delaware River Waterfront: In recent years, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation has given new life to the mighty Delaware’s abandoned piers, industrial spaces and riverfront parks. • Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest & Winterfest – In warm and cool weather, this seasonal space at the foot of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge draws crowds for outdoor roller- (summer) or ice-skating (winter), games (including an arcade), a lodge for lounging and local eats and drinks galore. In winter, there are fire pits and cabins to rent. In summer, there’s a midway-inspired carnival featuring boardwalk games, a carousel and a Ferris wheel. 101 S. Columbus Boulevard, riverrink.com • Cherry Street Pier – The waterfront’s 100-year-old indoor-outdoor pier is home to artist and maker spaces made out of shipping containers, community programming, a food truck or two and plenty of plant life. Columbus Boulevard at Cherry Street, cherrystreetpier.com • Delaware River Trail – Cyclists, joggers, strollers and rollers enjoy a 1,400-foot-long portion of the riverfront trail between Spring Garden and Ellen Streets and on Columbus Boulevard. In 2021, a central portion of the trail will open, reaching to Oregon Avenue in South Philadelphia and to Allegheny Avenue in Port Richmond, as part of the East Coast Greenway and The Circuit Trails, a 750-mile network of bicycle and pedestrian trails throughout the region. delawareriverwaterfront.com • Race Street Pier – In the shadow of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, this two-level pier has multi- tiered seating and offers free yoga classes every morning from May through October. Columbus Boulevard at Race Street, racestreetpier.com • Spruce Street Harbor Park – This spring-into-fall park attracts crowds with bocce and lawn games, tree-slung hammocks, colorful lights, floating barges with over-the-water seating, a boardwalk with a variety of food options and a beer garden serving craft beers, draft cocktails and frozen drinks. Columbus Boulevard & Spruce Street, sprucestreetharborpark.com
Fairmount Park: More than 2,000 acres of rolling hills, trails, woodlands, a river and creeks, all under the care of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation are full of attractions. phila.gov/parksandrecreation • Philadelphia Zoo – America’s first zoo is also a 42-acre Victorian garden of mature trees, formal shrubbery and animal sculptures. 3400 W. Girard Avenue, (215) 243-1100, philadelphiazoo.org • Shofuso – This 17th-century-style Japanese house and garden reflects the history of Japanese culture in Philadelphia from 1876 to today. The 1.2-acre site features North America’s only Japanese villa with a hinoki bark roof, murals by contemporary artist Hiroshi Senju and three distinctive gardens. Lansdowne & Horticultural drives, (215) 878-5097, japanphilly.org • Wissahickon Valley Park – With more than 50 miles of rugged trails, the park’s 1,800-acre northwestern section is great for hiking, cycling and exploring. Wissahickon schist bedrock, sliced through centuries ago, has created steep hills punctuated by a creek, with paths for both climbers and horseback riders and Philadelphia’s last covered bridge. Especially accessible is Forbidden Drive, a five-mile packed gravel trail with stunning views. (215) 247-0417, fow.org
Independence National Historical Park: Before and during colonial times, city and kitchen gardens were planted alongside homes, while
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full-fledged farms thrived on the outskirts of the original city. Today, the Historic District has pocket and large parks, the green expanse of Independence Mall. Independence National Historical Park invites visitors to its five gardens. (215) 965-2305, nps.gov/inde • 18th-Century Garden – Geometric example of formal, Revolutionary-era English landscaping has raised flowerbeds, walkways and a pergola. Walnut Street between 3rd & 4th streets • Rose Garden – The Daughters of the Revolution dedicated garden beds and 96 varieties of Old Roses to the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Locust Street between 4th & 5th streets • Magnolia Garden – George Washington’s fondness for the trees inspired the 13 different magnolias, each representing one of the 13 colonies. Locust Street between 4th & 5th streets • Rush Garden – Brick walls and wrought iron surround this symmetric, four-bed, 18th-century- style garden, which sits on the site of the Benjamin Rush House. 3rd & Walnut streets • Franklin Court – Benjamin Franklin designed, and, in 1975, architect Robert Venturi updated, this hideaway with a steel-frame ghost structure to represent Franklin’s home and print office. The Franklin museum is underground; the garden above it has a pergola, formal raised flower and tree beds, and crabapple tree espaliers. Between Chestnut & Market Streets and 3rd & 4th streets
Schuylkill River: Dividing Center City from West Philadelphia, the Schuylkill River Trail is on its way to connecting the lower part of the river past Manayunk and beyond Valley Forge. • Bartram’s Garden – North America’s oldest botanical garden (1728) belonged to Quaker John Bartram, Sr., self-taught botanist to King George III from 1765-1777, who collected, cultivated and sold plant specimens from North America and England. Prior to Bartram, the land served as seasonal fishing grounds for the Lenape and unknown prehistoric peoples. Today, the site includes the 18th-century Bartram family house and outbuildings, a 17-acre meadow, public access to the Schuylkill River, a thriving community farm and an array of naturalistic, woodland and formal gardens. Garden admission is free; guided tours are available for a small fee; there are regular workshops and cultural events. 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard, (215) 729-5281, bartramsgarden.org • River Trail – This off-road, multi-use trail along the Schuylkill River connects the Fairmount Water Works to South Philadelphia near Bartram’s Garden. The popular path includes a boardwalk over the river and passes by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Paine’s Park, Lloyd Hall and bike and Segway rentals near Boathouse Row. (215) 309-5523, schuylkillbanks.org
More Popular City Parks & Gardens: Philadelphians love their outdoor spaces. Here are a few that are especially cherished. • Clark Park – Established in 1895, this nine-acre West Philly park has an active natural amphitheater, Saturday farmers’ market, tall trees, playgrounds, basketball court and center circle for games of chess and bocce. Between Baltimore & Woodland avenues and 43rd & 45th streets, friendsofclarkpark.org • Morris Arboretum – A 19th-century summer estate on the edge of Chestnut Hill is now a 92- acre public garden and the official Arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Admission offers colorful gardens, meadows, sculptures, water features, a 50-foot-high walk-on treehouse
and twice-yearly outdoor model train displays. 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, (215) 247-5777, morrisarboretum.org -more- Page 4/Parks, Public Spaces & Gardens
• Rail Park – A quarter-mile stretch of elevated former Reading Railroad tracks has plants, artwork, seating areas and giant wooden swings. The site is the first phase of a plan to transform a three-mile section of abandoned lines into green space. Noble Street between 11th & Broad streets, therailpark.org
Gardens Beyond The City: • Chanticleer – From April through November 1, the 48-acre pleasure garden inspires artists, gardeners and seekers of relaxation with an evolving, whimsical landscape of more than 5,000 plants, themed gardens, a creek, pond and one-mile paved garden path. 786 Church Road, Wayne, (610) 687-4163, chanticleergarden.org • Longwood Gardens – One of the world’s favorite botanical destinations offers 1,100 acres of 20 outdoor gardens, 20 indoor gardens, a four-acre conservatory, 11,000 different types of plants, spectacular fountains and picturesque meadows and woodlands. Longwood hosts 400 events yearly, including children’s activities, fountain performances, concerts, fireworks and musical theater. 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, (610) 388-1000, longwoodgardens.org • Meadowbrook Farm – The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s public garden features 25 naturally stunning acres combining formal garden design and naturalistic perennial border, as well as a small specialty plant shop. Tours of the Estate House and gardens are offered April through September. 1633 Washington Lane, Abington Township, (215) 887-5900, meadowbrookfarm.org • Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College – The gardens of a Quaker-founded liberal arts college are purposely delightful, accessible and educational in order to teach gardeners ways to cultivate plants that grow well in the Delaware Valley. Visitors can take self-guided or regularly scheduled guided tours or simply wander through the rose garden, holly collection, woodlands and pinetum. 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, (610) 328-8025, scottarboretum.org • Stoneleigh: a Natural Garden – This native species-rich garden on Philadelphia’s Main Line features beautiful trees, historic landscape architecture and events to inspire gardeners. 1829 E. County Line Road, Villanova, (610) 353-5587, stoneleighgarden.org • Tyler Arboretum – Deeded by William Penn to Thomas Minshall in 1681, this former wilderness turned working farm turned public garden is 650 acres with 17 miles of hiking trails, spectacular plant collections and beautiful gardens, including 13 acres of rhododendrons and azaleas. There are also woodlands, wetlands, meadows, historic buildings and tree houses that are open in season. The National Audubon Society recognizes Tyler as an IBA (Important Bird Area). 515 Painter Road, Media, (610) 566-9134, tylerarboretum.org
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