PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia's FDR Park will soon undergo a new $4.5 million renovation project. According to Philadelphia Parks and Recreation commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, it will be part of a "complete reimagining and restoration of the park."
Ott Lovell said the "Gateway Project" would focus on "really bringing more amenities, enhancing the natural habitat in the park, enhancing all of the different offerings and activities in FDR to really help it recognize its full potential."
Those amenities include a new visitors center.
"It's a guardhouse that's been used over the years for park operations and different things, but our hope is to turn it into a welcome center that includes a meeting space for community groups," she detailed, "but also a place to learn about the park and learn about what's being offered in the park that day, amd hopefully a concession where you can grab a bite to eat."
Currently, that project is in the design phase, which Ott Lovell said will extend over the next six to nine months.
"Hopefully within 18 months, you're seeing some of these transformations take place," she said.
The commissioner also said they plan to hold community meetings in order to solicit feedback on other amenities people would like to see added to the park.
A massive renovation of the park was unveiled to the public in 2019.