Philadelphia Launches Plan To Redesign Ben Franklin Parkway

“Philadelphia Parks & Recreation on Tuesday announced the Reimagine the Benjamin Franklin Parkway planning effort, a collaboration between Parks & Rec, the Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, & Sustainability, and international design firm Design Workshop.” According to an article by Maria Pulcinella for WHYY, the city is calling on the public to provide feedback that will inform future plans. 

“Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, in announcing the initiative, said the city wants to hear from both residents and visitors as it makes the parkway a greener space that is more accessible and inclusive.” The goal, writes Pulcinella, is to make the corridor more welcoming for pedestrians and cyclists. “On Saturday, June 18, the public is invited to participate in an interactive design and planning event at The Oval XP, a pop-up festival situated at the base of the art museum steps. Visitors will be able to weigh in on their preferences for the parkway’s future, touching on transportation, amenities, programming, and attractions.”

As Pulcinella writes, “The engagement initiative comes in the wake of a drawn-out and often heated process of soliciting public input and weighing plans to narrow Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia, considered one of the city’s most dangerous streets.” That project stalled after City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson opposed changes in his district.