Public Realm Transformation That Centers Communities

Philadelphia is celebrating nearly a decade of planning, partnership and progress as the pilot city for Reimagining the Civic Commons. Since 2015, a diverse local coalition has championed public space and civic life in three neighborhoods that were often functionally disconnected from nearby natural assets. Working across sectors, partners put community development and collaboration at the heart of place-making, paving the way for new programs, staffing policies, physical improvements and maintenance. Communities are now engaging with Fairmount Park and Bartram’s Garden in new and meaningful ways, and investment is directed to new gathering spaces and elevating the role and impact of neighborhood organizations.

Learn more about Philadelphia’s work in our report, The Power of the Commons.

"Since launch of the pilot initiative in 2015, Reimagining the Civic Commons has challenged Philadelphia and our nonprofit partners to think in new ways about public space, encouraging broad collaboration and empowering community leaders to drive positive change in their communities."

–Susan Slawson, Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

A Collaborative Effort

Convener

Fairmount Park Conservancy

Collaborators

Bartram’s Garden
Centennial Parkside CDC
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Strawberry Mansion CDC

The JPB Foundation
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
The Kresge Foundation
William Penn Foundation