Welcome to Dickinson Square Park

Park Renovations Have Begun

As is evident from the activity in the Park, renovations have begun. Construction in the Park will continue for some months.  There isn't a hard-and-fast timeline of completion due to the variables of weather, unforeseen construction difficulties, possible logistical issues, and so forth.  For example, crews cannot pour concrete when the temperature falls below 32 degrees; thus, if we have a particularly cold winter with multiple consecutive days of high temperates below the freezing mark, the process very well may be delayed, pushing the completion date further into the Spring.

But this is a small price to pay for a completely renovated Park.  Some quick highlights:

• The round red building will be demolished and removed, thereby opening up sight lines across the Park.
• Old and unhealthy trees will be removed.
• The Park will have new pedestrian-level lighting, and the old 1970s street lights will be removed.
• New concrete pathways will be installed on the Morris Street side of the Park.
• The old playground equipment will be removed, and new, modern equipment installed.
• New water lines will be installed on the Tasker Street side, making it easier to water new plants.
• A new basketball court.
• And more.

 See the complete DSP Master Plan here.

In the meantime, the Friends will take something of a hiatus from cleaning the Park obviously, and concentrate efforts on planning for maintenance and improvement when the renovations are complete. For example, there will likely be significant plantings of trees and shrubs, for which help will be greatly appreciated.

Funding
Funding for the renovations came from a combined grant from the City of Philadelphia, the State of Pennsylvania, and additional help from Councilman Frank DiCiccio and Fairmount Park Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis. 

The Friends of Dickinson Square Park has no control over the funding, and we have not received (directly or indirectly) any funding related to this project. 

We have merely acted as informal advisors and liaison to the community.

Updates and construction notes will be posted here as they become available.