A PDF of the April 2001 draft of the Clark Park Renewal Plan is available for download. Click here to download as an Adobe PDF (Adobe Acrobat 7 required).

What does the plan recommend?

Overall: New sidewalks, lighting, benches and trash cans. "Bump-outs" for safer crosswalks into the park. Improved entrances at 43rd & Baltimore and at 45th & Woodland.  Click here for a map of the proposed improvements.

   North Park: A central, civic plaza with chess tables and climbable sculpture for tots. Lighting, benches and landscaping around the Dickens Statue and Gettysburg Stone. A strip of dry-laid paving stones in the Farmers' Market area along 43rd Street. Attractive fence along Baltimore Avenue.

   Center Park: A new playground for tots (completed June 2003); new playground equipment for ages 6-12 (Fall 2003). Make the basketball court standard high-school size and surround with attractive fence. Grade the Bowl to improve drainage and turf. Add plantings, benches to make attractive gathering area at the old shuffleboard court near 45th and Chester.

   South Park: Develop old Kingsessing Avenue, now a parking lot for USP, into a mall with benches, landscaping, and sculpture or water spray/play spot for kids.

Who's in charge of the plan?

The Department of Recreation is responsible for Clark Park and is the ultimate authority on changes. The renewal plan Steering Committee (see below) will work with the Rec Department and will continue to involve the community as the plan moves forward. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Recreation Commissioner Victor N. Richard III have endorsed the plan.

Will there be restrooms?

The plan documents a need for restrooms, and recommends that the community study all possible solutions. Bathrooms would be built only if the community supports construction and if issues surrounding safety and maintenance are addressed.

Will there be a dog park?

The plan recommends that community organizations come to consensus about enforcement of leash laws, and then consider whether to include a fenced area for dogs in Clark Park.

What about trees?

The Morris Arboretum has made a complete study of the park's 300 trees and recommends that dead or hazardous trees be removed. Friends of Clark Park is committed to raising funds for ongoing tree maintenance and plantings. See the Trees page for details.

More questions?

Please contact us.

Steering committee members: Friends of Clark Park, Department of Recreation, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Health Center #3, HMS School, Spruce Hill Community Association, Squirrel Hill Community Association, Cedar Park Neighbors, Regent Square Civic Association, West Shore Community Association, 45th Street Neighbors, Melville Street, University City District, Town Watch, District 3 City Council, State Rep. District 188, State Sen. District 8.

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