In his inaugural address in January 2008, Mayor Michael Nutter pledged to transform 500 acres of Philadelphia into neighborhood parks and green space by 2015. A subsequent report and action plan from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and PennPraxis, the research arm of the University of Pennsylvania School of Design, found that one in eight Philadelphia residents— more than 200,000 people—lack easy access to a park or playground.
The plan outlined several strategies for meeting the 500- acre goal, including the conversion of unimproved asphalt lots at city schools and recreation centers into new com- munity open spaces. Based on The Trust for Public Land’s success in managing such projects in New York, Newark, Los Angeles, and other cities, Philadelphia has asked TPL to lead the effort at ten sites. If the pilot phase is successful, the long-term vision calls for TPL to transform as many as 50 sites into new parks over the next five years. In addition to providing desperately needed out- door recreation for kids and families, the green spaces will meet another key city goal: reducing stormwater pollution in nearby waterways. When rainwater runs off paved surfaces it can cause flooding, overwhelm sewer systems, and contaminate groundwater and streams. But green playground elements such as special gardens to trap rain—sometimes known collectively as “green infrastructure”—put water to good use on site, keep- ing it out of sewers. For this reason, the Philadelphia Water Department has joined Parks & Recreation and
TPL Archives
A potential design for a new community open space at Philadelphia’s William Dick Elementary School, one of ten possible pilot sites. The current schoolyard is shown below.
the School District of Philadelphia as partners in the park creation effort. The Trust for Public Land has already secured more than $6 million in public funding and private support for the three-year, $9 million pilot program. Up to $33 million will be needed to create all 50 parks. Early funding partners include the William Penn Foundation, MetLife Foundation, National Recreation Foundation, and private donors.
For more information on The Trust for Public Land’s work in Philadelphia, go to tpl.org/philadelphia.