Sister Cities Park

[CountFunkula]

As a life-long Philadelphian having lived in the area and done my fair share of complaining, I've rarely been so proud of my city as I was today as I sat in Sister Cities park. Simply fantastic.

[Volanova]

As a life-long Philadelphian having lived in the area and done my fair share of complaining, I've rarely been so proud of my city as I was today as I sat in Sister Cities park. Simply fantastic.

Perhaps this is a callous question, but was it overrun by individuals who do not regularly bathe and have a propensity to hang their laundry on fences in the park?

[phillyaggie]

Perhaps this is a callous question, but was it overrun by individuals who do not regularly bathe and have a propensity to hang their laundry on fences in the park?

CCD has (or had, at least) uniformed sentries that show the tourists info and usually guard against the hobos from taking over the park. The fountains, when I was last by there, were also malfunctioning (some spouts were), but the overall feel of the park was very "un-Philly" like... hate to put it that way! it's been great.

[FMT]

It's definitely overrun with little children running in the water pool that was supposed to be for boats and then running like lunatics through the little restaurant, but if you know that going in - you'll be OK. Kids can have a lot of fun at that little park.

[OffenseTaken]

They made it way too small for boats, though. (The only drawback I can find.) One thing I think is so remarkable is how kid-friendly it all is without being irritating to everyone else.

[londoner]

As a life-long Philadelphian having lived in the area and done my fair share of complaining, I've rarely been so proud of my city as I was today as I sat in Sister Cities park. Simply fantastic.

I said something to similar effect recently on one of these threads about it...the city really did a great job with this one. from the design, to the landscaping, to the cafe, to the fountains to the boat pond--all around great job.

Now...if they come ANYWHERE near this with Dilworth plaza the city is going to have some pretty amazing civic spaces--taken from vagrants, and returned to its (other) citizens.

I'd still like to see the ability to get a beer at one of these "cafes" along the parkway though (similar to the Independence Cafe).

[Titus]

I have carped about a few details, but I must admit on the whole it's a well done project.

[darthsinatra]

Embarrassingly, I did not even know of the existence of this oasis until this thread popped up. Will be biking over there first thing tomorrow!

[Ray K.]

I took my twins there a couple of weeks ago to meet up with some other friends. The kids had a great time - as did the adults.

[eldondre]

I said something to similar effect recently on one of these threads about it...the city really did a great job with this one. from the design, to the landscaping, to the cafe, to the fountains to the boat pond--all around great job.

Now...if they come ANYWHERE near this with Dilworth plaza the city is going to have some pretty amazing civic spaces--taken from vagrants, and returned to its (other) citizens.

I'd still like to see the ability to get a beer at one of these "cafes" along the parkway though (similar to the Independence Cafe).

hopefully center square is where they finally get the cojones to put in a cafe with a liquor license. Milk and honey is a big step up from cafe Crete...

[It'sJessMe]

My boys go to school near there and the oldest got to get a tour of the groundbreaking about a year ago, just before first grade ended. It opened just before this school year ended and it was great to see the change. They went there with 3 other boys recently and had an amazing time, totally exceeded expectations. I drive by all the time but haven't had time to stop the car and sit yet. But it looks great and is always full without looking crowded.

[Kukla65th]

Hung out there yesterday morning with my wife and son...great new park. Should be a model for similar parks throughout the city, esp. when sprinkler parks are considered. (Note: I am aware of the CC District's role in this and the non-exitent parks budget).

[Volanova]

CCD has (or had, at least) uniformed sentries that show the tourists info and usually guard against the hobos from taking over the park. The fountains, when I was last by there, were also malfunctioning (some spouts were), but the overall feel of the park was very "un-Philly" like... hate to put it that way! it's been great.

Good to hear. Now, if only they'll detail a few people to Suburban Station to take back the bathrooms...

[londoner]

hopefully center square is where they finally get the cojones to put in a cafe with a liquor license. Milk and honey is a big step up from cafe Crete...

Yes that would be spectacular. slow and steady, Philly is letting its european origin bleed back into our culture...there are still plenty of us though who are resistant to it. this is the city, after all, that only allowed outdoor dining for the first time in 1996!? Like, why was it illegal to begin with?

[eldondre]

Yes that would be spectacular. slow and steady, Philly is letting its european origin bleed back into our culture...there are still plenty of us though who are resistant to it. this is the city, after all, that only allowed outdoor dining for the first time in 1996!? Like, why was it illegal to begin with?

drinking wouldn't be new to parks...just a change from the recent past

Visit Lemon Hill, located in the heart of East Fairmount Park, and escape from the modern concrete and glass city into the idyllic “villa life” enjoyed by Philadelphia’s early nineteenth century gentry....In 1855, Lemon Hill became part of the new Fairmount Park and, over time, served as a beer garden, a restaurant, and the home of Fiske Kimball, the first director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Lemon Hill Mansion

[Volanova]

Just took a little stroll over there myself. Wow, that was definitely a place done right. I'm impressed. We CAN have nice things after all, I suppose!

I just hope they stay vigilant about keeping the bums out of it. There was, of course, the large contingent near the Pennypacker statue, as per usual. I noticed one had torn down a streetlight banner and was using it as a tarp to cover his pile of stuff.