More Park, Less Way: Original Project Overview & History

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More Park, Less Way: An Action Plan to Increase Urban Vibrancy on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

February 5, 2013
By Bridget Keegan Barber
For PlanPhilly

Over the past decade a great deal of work has been completed on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway -- improvements to pedestrian crossings, addition of bike lanes, and planting new street trees. In addition, new amenities, such as the Barnes, Rodin, and the pop-up playspace at 22nd have helped to activate the Parkway in new ways. Now is the time to think about the future. What is next for the Parkway?

Since the Spring of 2012, Parks and Recreation has been working with PennPraxis, the Penn Project on Civic Engagement, and the community to develop some initial guiding principles for projects which can be actionable in the next few years and projects that help to improve and enhance connections to neighborhoods. Four community meetings were held in July 2012.  The information gathered from the community is outlined below.  Thank you for all of the terrific feedback provided! The community ideas and comments helped to inform the civic values that form the foundation of the final plan and recommendations.

On Monday, February 4th Parks and Recreation unveiled the final plan: More Park, Less Way:  An Action Plan to Increase Urban Vibrancy on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  The final recommendations were presented to an overflow crowd at the Academy of Natural Sciences (1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway). 

To read and download the final report, click here.

Review the final presentation, here.

Traffic and Transportation Addendum.

And, special thanks to two clever Philadelphian's, Jason Lempieri and Andre Bustamante, as they both helped to coin the phrase, "More Park, Less Way." Thanks, guys!

July 23rd at Second Pilgrim Baptist Church

854 North 15th Street

View the presentation from the July 23rd community meeting and view what your neighbors are thinking about the Parkway.

We have compiled the notes from the moderators of each small group session.  Click here to read what your neighbors discussed during the July 23rd community meeting.

Tom Lincoln and Tracy Steen attended this community meeting and shared their idea for locating four Civil War monuments on Eakins Oval.

July 24th at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

100 N. 20th Street - 5th Floor

View the presentation from the July 24th community meeting and view what your neighbors are thinking about the Parkway.

We have compiled the notes from the moderators of each small group session. Click here to read what your neighbors discussed during the July 24th community meeting.

Trish Thompson, a resident of Logan Square, submitted this video highlighting cafes and life on streets around the world.

Local architect, Alvin Holm, attended a few of the community meetings and shared his ideas for an amphitheatre at Eakins Oval.

July 30th at Olivet Convenant Presbyterian Church

22nd and Mt. Vernon Street

View the presentation from the July 30th community meeting and view what your neighbors are thinking about the Parkway.

We have compiled the notes from the moderators of each small group session.  Click here to read what your neighbors discussed during the July 30th community meeting. 

July 31st at Next American City Storefront

2816 West Girard Avenue

View the presentation from the July 31st community meeting and view what your neighbors are thinking about the Parkway.

We have compiled the notes from the moderators of each small group session.  Click here to read what your neighbors discussed during the July 31st community meeting.

In addition to being led by Parks & Recreation, the City Planning Department, the Art Museum, PA Horticultural Society, and Center City District are also providing their leadership. These partners have proven records of collaboration to get projects done.

Do you have questions?  Our email address is praxis@design.upenn.edu.

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