Climate-informed planning<\/p>\n
The effort was informed by the coming realities of climate change and included a comprehensive hydrology study. The trick for planners was to align community priorities with the reality of the hotter, wetter climate coming in the future \u2014 although, this summer, it feels as if the future is now.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of south Philadelphia stormwater drains in that direction,\u201d said Tara Rasheed<\/a>, senior director of capital projects at the Fairmount Park Conservancy, referring to FDR as well as West Fairmount and Cobbs Creek parks. \u201cIn 2019, we began looking at master planning opportunities in this park for a section of the city that is underserved in terms of public space and tree canopies.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFDR Park is a real vital area for play and recreation, which all support public health in our communities.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Many of the goals of the project centered around the balance of nature, water and recreational activities. In the end, the goal is to create a destination that combines ecology, recreation, art and design.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re really excited now because the Gateway Phase is the first portion of the master plan completed,\u201d Rasheed said.<\/p>\n With the Gateway Phase unveiled, the next two are:<\/p>\n The work is complex. One aim of the project is to restore the natural wetlands<\/a> while being thoughtful as to how to maintain and build higher ground to lessen flooding<\/a>, and create shaded space for hotter weather.<\/p>\n Positive signs<\/p>\n There are promising developments already. During the initial work, wildlife increased in the area that was being redesigned. In 2022, a decision was made to remove a proposed golf course<\/a> and set aside an additional 100 acres for nature.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis work is really special. There is no wetland of this size anywhere on the Eastern Seaboard and it has been a really wonderful opportunity to attract more native life,\u201d Rasheed said.<\/p>\n There have been challenges. Due to a privatized golf course in the area, there was pesticide runoff. Invasive species had moved in to some areas of the park that were unmaintained for nearly a century. The project took the opportunity to restore forest wetlands and fight off the invasive and non-native species in the area.\u00a0<\/p>\n The project is ambitious and received broad support. Portions of the roughly $250 million needed to execute the plan has come from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, state and federal funding, and the philanthropic support of the William Penn Foundation. Even the Philadelphia International Airport, which itself sits on a wetland, pledged about $30 million to support the plan.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s been a really great opportunity to combine a lot of needs for positive, overarching goals for public space, not only in the neighborhood,\u201d Rasheed said. \u201cThe size and quality of this park makes it a city destination, especially with the increasing heat waves and impacts on climate. FDR Park is the first of its kind that is climate-focused and sustainability-focused.\u201d<\/p>\n And there is a deadline on this kind of work, she added.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we don\u2019t change the hydrology of the 350 acres, the city at large is at risk of losing this open public space with these really special and interesting habitats,\u201d Rasheed said.<\/p>\n Public input played huge role<\/p>\n On a recent visit with Billy Penn, Ausra Mussett, the planning and engagement project manager, laid out blueprints for the project on a carpet to show some of the details.<\/p>\n Accessibility was a priority, so the park was connected to the Broad Street Line, so those without cars could get there.\u00a0<\/p>\n A lot of detail went into restoring the area\u2019s biodiversity, too.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Gateway Plaza introduces somewhere between 30,000 plugs, native perennials, native grasses in what was just monoculture. It was grass and all the same species of trees,\u201d Mussett said.<\/p>\n And upgrades were made to increase visitors\u2019 comfort.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have misters at the plaza for cooling,\u201d Mussett said. \u201cAnd as our summers get hotter, making the space climate-resilient, adding benches and custom seating\u201d was important.<\/p>\n The planning was not done in a vacuum: more than 3,000 people participated in the input process. The team conducted surveys and workshops, and engaged with community members in multiple languages to gather feedback.\u00a0<\/p>\n Questions asked included:<\/p>\n Planners said the feedback provided essential \u201cbuilding blocks\u201d for the project, including:<\/p>\n \u2018I can\u2019t stop coming by\u2019<\/p>\n Construction on the upgrades hasn\u2019t been all smooth sailing, however. Renovations caused unforeseen flooding<\/a> of the park\u2019s lakes in 2023 and some neighbors and community groups objected to the changes made to the former golf course area \u2014 popularly dubbed \u201cthe meadows.\u201d <\/a><\/p>\n For a while, during construction, messages were scrawled on bridges, benches and rails along the park\u2019s trails, reading like breadcrumbs of opposition to the project. \u201cSave the Meadows\u201d was a frequent refrain.<\/p>\n Now, though, Philly native Jose Garcia said he visits the park with daughters Michelle and Esme every Saturday and Tuesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a fun time for everyone,\u201d he said. \u201cI grew up coming here, so [I enjoy] bringing them here as the space finally gets the remodeling it deserves. My girls got so excited to see the park come alive. It\u2019s nice to have a break from stress and just enjoy nature and watch the birds \u2026 They have good spaces to cool off in the shade, which is great, too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Another family, Jasmine Rivera and her daughter Sianni, enjoy the flowers and swings.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI started coming here recently when I learned about the Gateway Plaza opening. I didn\u2019t know we had this park in the South Philly area, but I can\u2019t stop coming by now,\u201d Jasmine Rivera said. \u201cMy daughter loves the swings and I love feeling the breeze coming from the lake.\u201d<\/p>\n Minho and Ara Lee, of Philadelphia, have enjoyed seeing the changes as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been bringing my wife here for a very long time. We came to the neighborhood from Korea in the late \u201860s and have been here ever since,\u201d said Minho Lee. \u201cWe\u2019ve always loved this park.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMy wife and I love to watch the birds. We come to the Saturday food markets<\/a> \u2014 best food by far. As it got hotter and unmaintained, I hadn\u2019t seen a variety of birds come by. Now that there\u2019s different plants around, you can see the birds came back.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Taking the project from planning to seeing people in the space brings satisfaction to the project team.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s transformational, it goes beyond updating and improving it and refreshing it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation investment,\u201d Mussett said.<\/p>\n FYI<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_5300.jpg\")
Much of the work being done at FDR Park is aimed at controlling flooding of the wetlands. (Paulina Reyes\/Billy Penn) <\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_5312.jpg\")
A view across the lake to the new Gateway Plaza section of FDR Park. Much of the works involved removing invasive species and replacing with a mix of local plants. (Paulina Reyes\/Billy Penn) <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_5564.jpg\")
The ribbon-cutting event in front of signage at the opening of the Gateway Plaza section of FDR Park during its launch event in June 2025. (Paulina Reyes\/Billy Penn) <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_5563.jpg\")
Visitors enjoy food and drink at the concessions area at the opening of the Gateway Plaza section of FDR Park during its launch event in June 2025. (Paulina Reyes\/Billy Penn) <\/p>\n\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_5372.jpg\")
The playground area at the Gateway Plaza section of FDR Park during its launch event in June 2025. (Paulina Reyes\/Billy Penn) <\/p>\n