PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A multi-year effort is underway to make an underused stretch of West Fairmount Park safer and more appealing to residents of the nearby Parkside neighborhood and others. Improvements are taking shape, with public input being sought for future plans.
Pedestrian-activated traffic signals, new lighting and two roundabouts were put into place near Memorial Hall Drive and South Concourse Drive, close to the Please Touch Museum in the fall of 2022. Those alterations were among the safety measures established to slow traffic and to improve pedestrian safety.
Pop-up events were also held periodically to make that portion of West Fairmount Park more attractive to community members.
The Fairmount Park Conservancy and its partners are involved in other projects, including a pop-up playground that opened up last weekend, and a July concert series. Restoration to the Historic John Welsh Memorial Fountain, which has not been functional since the 1970s, is also in future improvement plans — as well as landscaping.
“We are actively fundraising to provide these permanent improvements,” said Ausra Mussett, the Conservancy’s planning and engagement project manager. “In the short term, we have already provided this pop-up play area for people to enjoy it, while that fundraising is underway And while we hope to get ready for construction once the design is complete by the end of this year.”
Fairmount Park Conservancy wants to hear from the community about what is important to them for the park improvements plans. Public input is being accepted until the end of the month. Find more details at MyPhillyPark.org.