A major upgrade is coming for Germantown Avenue's Vernon Park -- and it should be completed by this summer. On Friday, March 20,
8th District Councilwoman Cindy Bass will join Deputy Major Michael Diberardinis and representatives from the
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the
Philadelphia Water Department, and the
Fairmount Park Conservancy to break ground on the renovations.
Green 2015 (which launched in 2012), the project’s umbrella, is "an initiative to upgrade the quality of the public environment at our smaller neighborhood parks and recreation centers," explains Mark Focht, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation’s first deputy commissioner for parks and facilities. "We’ve worked really closely with members of [City] Council to have them select sites in their districts that have great citizen involvement, but needed some help or support."
Improvements to Vernon Park will include better walkways, new play equipment and the addition of adult fitness equipment so parents or grandparents can work out while the youngsters play. The make-over will also feature new benches and picnic tables.
"The other significant thing is we’re completely upgrading the lighting in the entire park, so all the paths will be re-lit with very high-quality lighting," says Focht. And compared to other Green 2015 participants (including Grays Ferry’s Stinger Square Park, another renovation currently underway), "Vernon is a little unique because we have these three major monuments in it…they’re great architectural and sculptural features in the park."
The current upgrade will include cleaning and new lighting for these landmarks.
The $1.2 million dollars for the project came mostly from the 8th District council office, to the tune of $850,000, with Parks and Recreation furnishing the remaining $350,000. The work will take place throughout April, May and June, and will not restrict access to
Center in the Park or
Vernon House. Only about half of the park will need to be closed completely, around the northern and western edges where the current playground is.
"We’ve committed to the Councilwoman and the neighbors that it’ll be done in time for their jazz concert series" in July, Focht insists.
The Vernon Park groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Friday, March 20 from 2 - 3 p.m.
Writer: Alaina Mabaso
Source: Mark Focht, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation