Thomas Hart Park, located at 1315-21 N 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19122, in South Kensington, is a shared public space owned by the City of Philadelphia and maintained by Friends of Hart Park (FOHP) volunteer group. This multigenerational space has long served as a neighborhood playground, educational resource, and catalyst for strong community bonds.
In fall 2022, The Firehouse Development Team, community stakeholders, local organizations, and the City of Philadelphia collaborated to enhance the park and garden’s value post-pandemic. This effort aimed to inspire ownership and empower neighbors to reimagine the space as a multigenerational hub. Community engagement sessions shaped a revitalization plan focused on safety, inclusivity, education, and social cohesion.
PROJECT GOALS
The Hart Park revitalization project serves as a vital platform for multi-generational convening, social cohesion, and educational programs, contributing to the holistic development of youth, especially crucial post-pandemic as we strive to reclaim access to communal spaces.
- Make Hart Park feel safer & inviting
- Promote social cohesion, & retain cultural diversity
- Maintain spaces to ensure belonging for all ages and abilities
- Foster stewardship and increase neighborhood attachment
- Ensure the ability to maintain & operate the park
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Recognizing the significance of community input, the project emphasizes an intentional participatory design process where the perspectives of every individual are heard and incorporated into the design. Various engagement opportunities included: meetings with key stakeholders, comprehensive community surveys, public planning meetings, and design reviews. By involving the community in such a holistic manner, the project seeks to ensure that the revitalization efforts resonate with the unique desires of an evolving neighborhood.
Key Stakeholder Meeting #1
On December 14, 2022, Hinge met with key stakeholders, including key engaged residents (as identified by The Firehouse), representatives from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and representatives from the Office of Councilman Darrell Clark. The purpose of this meeting was to identify key design constraints and operational considerations.
Individual Stakeholder Follow-up Meetings
Hinge performed follow-up meetings with key stakeholders as needed to determine a full picture of the operational needs and key design considerations.
Neighborhood Stakeholder Meeting #2
On January 25, 2023, Hinge met with key stakeholders, including key engaged residents (as identified by The Firehouse), representatives from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and representatives from the Office of Councilman Darrell Clark. The purpose of this meeting was to review feedback, identify key design constraints and operational considerations.
Public Open House #1 | Indoor Block Party
On February 26, 2023, Hinge, in collaboration with The Firehouse hosted a public open house event at the Little Montessori School. This was an opportunity for community stakeholders to share what the park means to them and assist them in dreaming big about how improvements can best support the neighborhood!
Key Stakeholder Meeting #3
On April 11, 2023, Hinge reconvened with the stakeholders to review community input gathered from the Open House, and offered early design options based on user feedback.
Public Open House #2 | Community Celebration & Design Open House
On Saturday, May 13th we hosted an afternoon of fun & games to celebrate Hart Park! Neighbors shared thoughts on park design options for updates to the park, while children enjoyed games, face painting and ice cream! Some neighbors arrived early to join the Friends of Hart Park group park clean-up Love Your Park week.
Key Stakeholder Meeting #4
On June 20, 2023, Hinge facilitated a meeting in the park where key stakeholders and near neighbors are convened to review the comments on the (3) design options and consolidate the elements from each option to determine the final conceptual design direction.
Consolidated Design Review
On Thursday, November 9th we held a virtual impromptu design review of the proposed consolidated design for Hart Park. The design was prompted by feedback from the previous (3) conceptual themes.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
Without visionary benefactors, our ability to to connect people and inspire stewardship through public space revitalization projects, will be out of reach.
Funding will support costs associated with:
- Equipment upgrades
- Play space enhancements
- Utility infrastructure upgrades
- Development of a youth engagement program
- Building capacity for the stewardship, maintenance and governance efforts required to sustain the rejuvenation effort post-development
Proposed Project Timeline:
The following is a proposed project timeline, highlighting key points of engagement for both the youth cohort and community stakeholders:
BE A PART OF OUR JOURNEY.
We are witnessing firsthand the transformative effects of urban renewal efforts in South Kensington. As the landscape evolves, so too must our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and unity among residents. We firmly believe that the key to a thriving community lies in its ability to cultivate social cohesion amidst change.
Interested in getting involved? Send us an email or feel free to fill out our volunteer interest form below.
