Fairmount Park Conservancy

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Megargee Dam in the Wissahickon Valley

News Archive

Comcast Cares Day an Amazing Success!

On Saturday, April 25th over 400 volunteers converged on Hunting Park in North Philadelphia for a day of cleaning up one of the area’s largest parks. And clean they did. Thanks to the combined efforts of citizens from the community and volunteers from Comcast Corporation, over eight tons of trash and debris were cleaned out of Hunting Park’s 87 acres! Comcast Corporation founder Ralph Roberts was also honored with a park bench and a tree for his company’s long history of environmental stewardship.

In the Works: Two Beautifully Restored Pavilions and One Great Celebration

Progress continues on the landscape at the Fairmount Water Works as the Third Annual Water Works Celebration, to be held on Sunday, September 14th draws near. The roof of the iconic Mercury Pavilion is being restored nearby on-site and is scheduled to be lifted by crane onto the new supporting columns in early August. The structure of another - the Rustic Pavilion - is presently being erected off-site and will be installed on its cliffside perch in mid September. It is a re-creation of a 19th century Water Works pavilion, of the same name, that was lost around the turn of the century. Both pavilions are expected to be in place by September 14th, in time for the Third Annual Celebration.

This year’s celebration will commemorate the conclusion of the Women for the Water Works $5 million campaign to restore and endow the South Garden and Cliffside Paths at the Fairmount Water Works. After more than 30 years, the landscape will finally return to its original 19th century splendor, creating a unique, signature civic space for the enjoyment of all of Philadelphia's residents and visitors.

The Mountain of Boulders and the Missing Mercury Pavilion: East Park Construction

If you’ve been anywhere near the Art Museum or the Water Works lately it’s been hard to miss all the activity. The construction going on there will bring some exciting changes to the landscape of Fairmount Park in that area, including a sculpture garden and a "new" cliffside pavilion at the Water Works. Read More

2008 Centennial Award Dinner and Ceremony

On March 11, 2008 the Fairmount Park Conservancy held a reception and dinner at the Rittenhouse Hotel honoring Mayor Michael Nutter for his pledge to a financially healthy Fairmount Park and his overall commitment to a revitalized greater Philadelphia region.  This event was the first dinner honoring the new Mayor in 2008.  The evening was a success; raising over $160,000 with over 340 guests in attendance.   Money raised from this event goes towards supporting the Conservancy’s operations, which allows us to expand the programs that serve the needs of Fairmount Park.  Thank you to our Centre Sponsor WolfBlock LLP.

Discover Fairmount Park with Two Upcoming Programs

East Park Reseviour Bird Walk: Saturday Nov 3rd, 10AM-12PM
Join us for a morning of bird watching at the East Park Reservoir, a 40-acre fresh water lake, and discover the ducks, songbirds, and hawks that inhabit the reseviour during the winter months. Binoculars will be available to use. Where: Meet at south entrance to the Reservoir located on Reservoir Drive just west of 33rd & Oxford Streets (across from Disc Golf Course at Sedgley Woods).

Wreath Workshop: Saturday, December 1, 2007, 12 – 2 PM
Get in the holiday spirit early. Learn how to decorate evergreen wreaths using pine cones and greens. Create a beautiful door swag of natural greens, and learn how to make a hand-tied bow for your creation. Refreshments of light soup & bread. Space is limited to 30. First come first served.  Where: Mander Playground Recreation Center at 33rd and Diamond Streets.

Water Works Evening A Success

The benefit cocktail reception hosted by the The Women for the Water Works on September 16, 2007 was a resounding success. Over 600 celebrants enjoyed an evening of delicious food and drink, wonderful entertainment, and beautiful surroundings. Thanks to all those who attended. All proceeds will go to fund the final restorations of the Water Works landscape. If you missed the party, its not too late to make a donation. You can still download a reply card and mail it in with your donation or call our offices and donate with a credit card. Thank you to all of our generous sponsors including Lincoln Mercury Dealers Association, The Water Works Restaurant and Lounge, and Mr. and Mrs. Peter McCausland.

It Takes a Neighborhood

How Strawberry Mansion baseball kept kids safe this summer
Brian Hickey of The City Paper has written an eye-opening article about an inspiring first season of youth baseball in East Park. Read More

Andorra Meadows Anytime, Anywhere

Environmental Educator, Trish Fries has found a great late summer spot for anyone looking for nature in the city
The summer heat makes many of us long for the cool shade of the steeply sloped Wissahickon Valley Park. But, if you’re looking for a quiet corner of the park, sunny and warm, rich with sounds of birds and insects, take a short walk from the Wissahickon Environmental Center to the meadows of the Andorra Natural Area. Read More

Penn Treaty and Cobbs Creek Park Begin Year of Improvements:

On June 2nd and June 9th, neighborhood residents teamed up with employees from ACE INA and Nova Care, to clean up Penn Treaty Park and Cobbs Creek Park at Callowhill. Thank you to all those who helped. Both parks will receive extensive improvements in the coming year as part of our Growing the Neighborhood Program. Stop by both parks over the coming months to see the improvements.

Restoring Parks Can Help Restore Peace on the Street

The Inquirer's Patricia Vance has written an interesting editorial about Germantown's Cloverly Park and how its revitalization has helped the entire neighborhood. Cloverly Park was one of the first parks to benefit from the Conservancy's Growing the Neighborhood Program. Click here to read the article.

Electronic Ink Designs the Conservancy's New Website

The Fairmount Park Conservancy has launched a new website to better communicate the mission and purpose of the nonprofit group.  The website was redesigned by Electronic Ink, the leading design firm that, for 17 years, has been a driver of the creative economy in Philadelphia.  Click here to read the full press release.

The Conservancy and the Women for the Water Works receive Preservation Award

The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia awarded the 2007 Grand Jury Project Award to the Water Works and the South Garden Cliff Path Project.  The Conservancy and the Women for the Water Works were honored for their comprehensive restoration of historic landscape and its historic structures.