Twenty-four acres of green. That’s Penn Park. Imagine a vast postal service parking lot. Now picture Penn Park a vibrant green space.
Penn Park wasn’t always a park. This land once housed a US Postal Service facility. Its main Philadelphia location stood just north. The IRS now occupies that space. Penn Park sits at the level of the former postal complex’s train platforms. That means it’s almost 30 feet below street level. A unique feature few notice.
The University of Pennsylvania purchased the postal complex in 2007. Agreements led to the redevelopment of the northern part of the complex. Funds from those agreements helped pay for the $46.5 million park. A testament to successful urban renewal.
Today Penn Park offers much more than just green space. Two athletic fields provide venues for games and practices. A multipurpose stadium seats 470 spectators. A tennis center features twelve courts. Even a seasonal air structure shelters athletes during inclement weather. Picnic areas offer relaxation.
In the southeastern corner you’ll find the Penn Park Orchard. Established in 2014 in partnership with the Philadelphia Orchard Project. It’s a fully functional food forest. A hidden gem producing fresh fruit.
The park’s design seamlessly blends recreation and environmental responsibility. It boasts innovative stormwater management. Meadows bioswales and 530 trees help absorb rainwater. An underground cistern stores millions of gallons of stormwater annually. A truly sustainable design.
Penn Park is more than just a park. It’s a testament to urban planning. It’s a green oasis in a bustling city. It’s a place for recreation research and community engagement. It’s a space transformed. From postal parking lot to vibrant green space. A remarkable transformation indeed.