Philadelphia (Kyw Newsradio) – A new playground and toilets are among the improvements that will come to Franklin Square Park in the next 18 months, as the community leaders unveiled on Wednesday.
According to Lesly Attarian, the historical Vice President of Development, the changes include the historical Vice President of Philadelphia.
“With a new climbing tower, we will slide, which are accessible to people with disabilities, swings, musical instruments, boulders for climbing and exploring, a postal line and a water distortion area for these hot summer philly days,” she said. “One of my favorite supplements in the park is a bicycle and scooter package for new and young drivers.”
A new 2.2 million dollar building is also in the works. Officials hope that it will be finished in spring. Lisa Deats, Senior Vice President of Operations and Wellness, said the updates were in time.
“The toilets will replace the current facility, which was used for almost 50 years, as it was built in 1976 during the two hundred years of Philadelphia,” she said.
Shawn McCaney, Managing Director of William Penn Foundation, an important supporter of the project, said that toilets are not the most attractive investment for private supporters, but a necessary one.
“At a time when many withdraw from the efforts to promote inclusion and diversity, we know that places like Franklin Square, which are inviting and accessible to everyone, are essential for building a healthy, free and just society,” he said.
Another important part of the renovation work was the safer of the area, according to officials in the street department. The city reduces the road along Race Street between the 6th and 8th street, in a 1.8 million dollar project to make the area friend for pedestrians and bicycles, as well as more compliance with the ADA regulations. Commissioner Kristen del Rossi calls it a “road diet”.
“People who visit the space have better visibility and shorter crossing routes,” she said.
In addition, there is a 30 million dollar renovation of the Franklin Square Station of Patco shortly before completion, although it was postponed from the original opening last spring. The historical president and CEO of Philadelphia, Amy Needle, said the project voted on her vision for the park.
“The updated design contains bird -friendly glass [and] A lively green roof that blends in with Franklin Square's Green Space, ”she said.
The Senator Nikil Saval stated the importance of Franklin Square for the region. “The place is such an important geographical knot in a number of neighborhoods,” he said. “It is one of the few green rooms available, the Chinatown, one of the few, the Old City, Society Hill, is available.”