In August, we began our look at plans for the new park at Philly's historic
Centennial Commons, part of the
Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Reimagining the Civic Commons initiative.
Jennifer Mahar, senior director of civic initiatives at the Conservancy, says that with so much community outreach going on --including door-to-door questionnaires and months of pre-construction in-park surveys for neighbors -- "lots of components to the project are changing by the day and by the week."
One of the most important components is a fresh approach to the park's long-neglected entrance near the
School of the Future.
According to Mahar, right now "the most critical [element] design-wise is the gateway right where Parkside Avenue and Girard meet." Envisioned as the "Centennial district gateway," it’s currently a triangular piece of concrete opposite a vacant lot below an iconic mural; neighbors insist that any design for the gateway not obscure the mural.
"Eventually we’d like to put a piece of artwork or a sign, something interesting that welcomes people to the neighborhood and to the park," adds Maher.
According to a roundup of feedback from Callowhill-based design partner
Studio|Bryan Hanes, this is in line with neighbors' hopes for interpretative signage to celebrate the area's history.
The spot is a bit of a high-speed transit hub year-round -- it boasts a Girard Avenue trolley stop frequented by kids riding to Kelly Pool -- and lacks proper traffic safeguards. That’s why the
Planning Commission has been in the the loop on this project from the start. A fix to the area's traffic dangers will also incorporate an extension of the
Mantua Greenway, a bike lane into West Fairmount Park.
Keep an eye out here for details on another piece of Centennial Commons’ Phase I: Parkside Edge, a relaxing new recreational space slated to border Parkside Avenue.
Writer: Alaina Mabaso
Source: Jennifer Mahar, Fairmount Park Conservancy
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