For Immediate Release: March 18, 2016
Published By: Office of the Mayor
Contact: Jennifer Crandall, (267) 438-7131, Jennifer.crandall@phila.gov
“City Parks Alliance” cites Philadelphia’s use of urban parks
to drive Center City growth and neighborhood revival
PHILADELPHIA – The City of Philadelphia has been selected by City Parks Alliance to host the organization’s Greater & Greener international urban parks conference in 2021.
The conference, which is expected to attract roughly 1,500 people from 200 cities and 20 countries, brings together professionals and political leaders from around the world to explore the power of public parks to transform urban landscapes. The Greater & Greener conference is presented every other year by City Parks Alliance.
“I am proud that Philadelphia was chosen to host the Greater & Greener conference in 2021,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Our selection as host for this international conference speaks to the value we have placed on our parks and public spaces as centers for civic engagement and community gathering.”
Philadelphia was one of 10 cities selected last year to compete to host one of the next three biennial conferences after the upcoming Greater & Greener 2017: Parks Connecting Cities, Cultures, and Generations conference in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Denver was named the host in 2019, with Philadelphia winning the honor in 2021 and Seattle in 2023.
“Philadelphia was selected because we see it as a post-industrial city, rich in history, that’s reimagining itself for the future by using parks and open spaces,” said Catherine Nagel, executive director of City Parks Alliance. “It’s adapting historical sites for modern uses, building and renovating parks in low-income neighborhoods, using parks as economic development drivers and using open space to protect water sources. Philadelphia has a great story to tell.”
Greater & Greener 2021 is expected to attract park and recreation leaders, city planning and design professionals, public officials from the health, transportation and public works sectors, neighborhood advocates, funders and innovators. Attendees will tour the Philadelphia area to gain an understanding of what’s worked for the city while also participating in conference sessions to explore the issues, challenges and opportunities facing today’s urban parks.
“Philadelphia is just really experiencing a renaissance in public space, driving the future of our city and its quality of life,” said Kathryn Ott Lovell, Commissioner of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. “We’re excited by the opportunity to welcome our peers to this great city and to share our successes as well as challenges.”
“Philadelphia has turned the corner from decades of population loss to a boom in millennials, particularly in Center City where the density of an urban environment offers diversity, accessibility and excitement,” agreed Nancy Goldenberg, executive director of the Center City District Foundation and a City Parks Alliance board member. “From my perspective, Philadelphia has done an extraordinary job in renovating and programming parks and public spaces downtown and we are now experiencing the benefit of that investment.”
Philadelphia, founded in 1682 as a “greene countrie towne” by William Penn, boasts one of the most expansive and diverse urban park systems in the world. The 10,200 acre Fairmount Park system includes 130 parks, 151 playgrounds and recreation centers, 215 miles of trails and 206 historic structures. But the city also has embarked on new projects, such as the redevelopment of the Philadelphia Navy Yard, including a new $10 million, five-acre park; multiple “green infrastructure” projects to manage stormwater runoff, and “Reimagining the Civic Commons,” a program to build or revitalize five neighborhood open spaces.
“Something quite powerful is happening in the city through our park work,” added Goldenberg. “We were the manufacturing capital of the world at one point. Now we are reusing our old infrastructure and abandoned lots, creating public parks and open spaces that connect to communities and help neighbors connect to each other.”
In addition to the Center City District, the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department has enjoyed the support of Fairmount Park Conservancy; the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia; Delaware River Waterfront Corp.; Friends of Laurel Hill Cemetery; Friends of the Wissahickon; National Park Service; Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; the Philadelphia Parks Alliance; WRT Designs; Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau; Schuylkill River Development Corp.; Visit Philadelphia, and the Knight Foundation and the William Penn Foundation.
City Parks Alliance is the only independent, nationwide membership organization solely dedicated to urban parks. It leads and serves a community of diverse organizations, championing high quality urban parks throughout the nation. CPA’s vision is that everyone in urban America will have access to parks and green spaces that are clean, safe and vibrant. www.cityparksalliance.org.
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https://alpha.phila.gov/news/mayor/philadelphia-to-host-international-parks-conference-in-2021/