Dilworth Park is officially open to the public!

The highly anticipated Dilworth Park opened this morning to much fan fare. After more than two years of construction, some construction delays and $55 million, Philly's "lively new centerpiece" is ready to be experienced by residents and visitors alike!

 

Members of the GroundSwell team were on hand to experience the park for the first time, and we have to say it is a true city asset! While there was certainly a lot of excitement to be had at the ribbon-cutting ceremony (including a surprise performance by the Temple Marching Band, streamers, a fountain show and a couple of red and blue fireworks), what is really special is how the park is sure to transform the city's landscape and become the next great Philadelphia landmark!

The new Dilworth Park is the perfect example of how parks can transform a community and create a shared space for people to join together and have a common experience. Center City District, to its credit, has made sure that there is something for everyone in the new park. There is green space (which isn't open just yet), a fountain, public art installation and a cafe. There are also some great weekly events to experience too. Tuesday is movie night, Wednesday afternoons offer free lunch time performances sponsored by PNC Arts Alive (and special shout out to First Person Arts who will present Story Slams during intermission!), Thursdays at for the shoppers and DJ lovers, with designers on hand during the day and DJs spinning for happy hour and if that isn't enough on Fridays and Saturdays you can groove to live music in the grove. There will also be a special OctoberFest in mid-late October! And once the heat subsides and the late fall arrives, the flat surfaced fountain will be transformed into the city's newest outdoor ice-skating rink! 

We can't wait to enjoy some of these great events and we hope to see many of our GroundSwell advocates in the new Dilworth Park! Make sure to get there this weekend for some of the grand opening festivities including Picnic in the Park on Friday and Playtime in the Park on Saturday. 

The work of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is made possible through the generous support of committed individuals and institutions.