Philadelphia updates city attractions for summer
This summer, Philadelphia has seen a burst of new and renovated attractions in Center City. Many of these sites showcase both the history of the city and its future ahead. If you’re on or around Hawk Hill this summer, here are a few places to check out.
LOVE Park
Philadelphia’s famous LOVE Park officially reopened on May 30. The park closed for renovations in February 2016, keeping residents and tourists waiting for over two years to see how the redesign would turn out. The park now features a spacious patio area with fountains in the ground surrounded by grass on all sides. Visitors can sit at tables throughout the park to eat or enjoy the views of City Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. A restaurant still under renovation will open in what used to be the Fairmont Park Welcome Center. Finally, the iconic LOVE statue by artist Robert Indiana sits at the front of the park to welcome everyone to its new and improved home.
Rail Park
A quarter-mile section of the long-awaited Rail Park opened to the public on June 14. The space includes porch swings, benches, garden space, industrial artwork, and views of the entire city. This is the first installment of a larger park trail, which will stretch three miles along the Reading Railroad tracks. While the current portion is above ground, other parts will run through an underground tunnel and on the street level, making for a unique experience at different parts of the park. The project was first suggested as a way to enhance the former Reading Railroad, which creates the path the park will take once it is complete. The first opening can be accessed at Callowhill and 11th St. and 13th St. and Noble St.
Farm for the City
The Philadelphia Horticultural Society (PHS) opened a public garden across from City Hall for the summer. The PHS Farm for the City, not only brings a new green space into the busy urban setting, but it serves to donate fresh food to the Broad Street Ministry and raise awareness about the lack of access to fresh fruit and vegetables in the city. Visitors can walk through the farm and talk to the farmers about both urban gardening methods and food insecurity in Philadelphia. The farm opened on June 15 in the Thomas Paine Plaza and will close Sept. 29.
The Bourse
The Bourse is another historical renovation project coming to Philadelphia this year. The 105-year-old building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will feature a variety of local food and retail vendors to give patrons a diverse taste of what the city has to offer. Seating inside the historic building and an outdoor space will create a hub for residents and tourists alike. The Bourse is located at one end of the Independence Mall, with entrances on 4th St. and 5th St. The grand opening date has not been announced, but the Bourse’s website states it will open Summer 2018.
Although known for its history, Philadelphia has not shied away from creating new opportunities to enjoy the city. Whether you are in town this summer or returning in the fall, visiting these sites will help you learn more about the place St. Joe’s calls home.
