Hawthorne Park Adds 19,000 Square Feet of Green Space to South Philly, City’s 4th New Park This Year
A year ago, the vacant lot on the corner of 12th and Catherine Streets never looked attractive to the residents in the Hawthorne Community.
With the collaborative efforts of governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community groups, the spot has become the newest park in the city.
Last week, neighbors, city government officials, and nonprofit representatives gathered at Hawthorne Park for its opening ceremony.
This $2.1 million public green space revitalizes the community as the fourth new park added to the Parks & Recreation system this year.
“This park allows Philadelphia to strive for its commitment in equality, opportunity, and fairness,” said Michael DiBerardinis, Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources. “We want the park to be a place which is accessible to the general public and where everyone is welcome. It was leadership on all levels that completed this long journey.”
The park also represents the achievement of Mayor Nutter’s Greenworks Philadelphia and Parks & Recreation’s Green2015 plan — two initiatives working to build public green spaces in historically underserved areas.
“It has taken too long to bring a beautiful open space to this community,” said Mayor Nutter. “This project is part of the plan to make Philadelphia the number one green city in the country.”
The park was designed under the collaboration between LRSLAStudio and the community — aiming to be a performance site with a stage at the center of the park.
“We try to combine usable space with circulation and a fenceless park is a significant goal,” said Brad Thornton, the park’s landscape designer. “The colors of the bricks we use are pulled from the color of the surrounding townhouses, because we want to ensure that the elements of the community are always there.”
While the community is still celebrating the opening of this beautiful space, a preservation plan is already underway.
“We will form a Friends of the Park group to keep the park clean and safe,” said Pat Bullard, the Chairperson of the Hawthorne Enterprise Center, who added that entertainment and events will be presented regularly.
The completion of the park was made possible through funding from governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and individuals, including: a $1.1 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; $300,000 capital funding from the City of Philadelphia; a $300,000 grant from Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development; and two $250,000 grants from The William Penn Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts through the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.