Written by Alexandra Salvatore
(Image Source: The Constitutional)
When one begins their journey to discover Philadelphia, they usually begin by taking public transportation into city hall; the heart of the city. The first sight out of the subway is a very popular historical landmark turned modern named Dilworth Park. However, Dilworth is not just a park; it is a gathering space for tons of seasonal and annual activities that allow Philadelphians to enjoy the view with the company of themselves, family, friends, or other Philadelphians. Dilworth is also the name of the mayor whom Dilworth Park was reconstructed to honor. The location of Dilworth Park has gone through many historical changes to create a comforting location for Philadelphians to enjoy many forms of entertainment, join an activity, or simply walk through and view the beauty of Philadelphia.
Dilworth Park Before Richardson Dilworth
Before Mayor Richardson Dilworth, William Penn had always envisioned a center square in the middle of Philadelphia, outside of where Broad Street was soon named. According to Kiernan Timberlake, “Penn envisioned Centre Square as the site of a meeting house, state house, and school”. In other words, Penn’s goal was a bare center square for public buildings to surround it. This space began its public journey “In 1798, Benjamin H. Latrobe, the nation’s leading architect, designed the Centre Square Water Works to provide a clean water supply to city residents”. This pump also brought water to a recreational garden. This spot was almost a public gathering place until William Penn’s envision of adding more public buildings was met and it was named Penn Square.
(Three Image Sources: Kiernan Timberlake)
The First Dilworth Renovation: Dilworth Plaza
It was in the 1970s that the final decision was made to create Mayor Dilworth’s vision and turn this small public space into a larger public entertainment area; named Dilworth Plaza. Supposedly, this plaza was created with Richardson Dilworth in mind as he constantly pushed for public transportation and public spaces where Philadelphians could mingle. Dilworth became mayor from 1956-1962 and stepped down to serve “for six years as president of the newly formed Philadelphia Board of Education”. Dilworth’s plans were always in the best interest of Philadelphians and brought the city together while keeping its colonial originality. Due to his achievements in making Philadelphia’s gray spaces green by revamping Society Hills’ run-down, “seedy boarding houses, rat-infested warehouses”; when architects decided to revamp Penn Square and City Hall to be more community-targeted, they knew it was in the best interest of what Richardson Dilworth would have wanted.
(Society Hill Image Source: Philadelphia YIMBY)
This new park, however, “perhaps really more a plaza — was designed to be a flexible event space, with fountains, a small lawn, restaurant, and moveable tables and chairs set within lush gardens” but failed to reach those expectations. Dilworth Plaza’s original design consisted of a sunken plaza with a spiral staircase that “interrupts the pedestrian axis of Market Street” and “a series of walls, stairs, barriers and overgrown trees limited access and blocked the visibility of City Hall”. The Plaza’s design caused so many maintenance issues and safety hazards that it was once again renovated for the opening of Dilworth Park in 2014.
(Dilworth Plaza Image Source: PhillyHistory)
Community Engagement Through The New Dilworth Park
As of 2014, Dilworth Park has transformed into a beautiful outdoor area with gardens, statues, fountains, and many seasonal/permanent activities for Philadelphians to join. Beginning with food, there are plenty of places to sit and eat throughout the park including tables, chairs, and greenery; specifically the Dilworth Park Cafe, Starbucks Kiosk, and the Air Grille Garden which closes in the winter. Seasonally, according to the Center City Philly Website, “More than 9 million visitors from all neighborhoods in the city and across the region visited Dilworth Park in 2022 coming to enjoy the fountains, the lawn, free concerts by local Philadelphia artists as well as paid ice skating and roller skating”. In terms of entertainment, so much goes on at this park that plans for events and activities are constantly changing by the season.
(Image Source: Secret Philadelphia)
As community enrichment is extremely important for the city’s enhancement according to Richardson Dilworth, there are plenty more family/community-targeted activities throughout the seasons to be planned. One of the most popular activities currently happening is brand new Pickleball courts for people to get active along with “Center City Fit.” This group hosts workouts with professionals for activities like Zumba, Training, Yoga, Interval Workouts, and many more. There are also plenty of seasonal music events that go on from local artists; an example of a current music event is a “Live @ Brunch” that allows Philadelphians to take a break from their lives and watch a free music show outside of the TD Bank Terrace. During the day on weekends, small businesses in Philadelphia get together for the “Market Place” for Philadelphians to come and shop local brands. Besides these annual activities, there are so many special events set up for the seasons like themed markets, events, activities, and food stops based on the time of year. These events are constantly changing with the seasons and are all community-inclusive. As there are so many plans and events at Dilworth Park, one thing is certain, there is always something to visit and participate in while strolling through the park. You can read about all of the specifics for upcoming seasonal events and dates/times on the Center City Philadelphia website.
(Image Source: Metro Philadelphia)
Not only is Dilworth Park a special place for all Philadelphians traveling through Center City, including myself; but it is also historical to the city of Philadelphia and its community. When I first moved to Philadelphia my first travels to Center City were interrupted when I entered Dilworth Park; immediately I fell in love with the atmosphere around me and the activities to join. Nowadays, every time I come out of the Broad Street Station I connect Dilworth Park with a feeling of home as it was the first place that connected me with Philadelphia and the love this city has to share. No matter the season one visits, there is always at least one activity or piece of entertainment set up to engage Philadelphians with Dilworth Park. The feeling at this park is unexplainably comforting, you will have to go for yourself to understand why.