“What a Faire Mount!” exclaimed William Penn as he stood on the elevated plateau overlooking the area. Today, we stand before a small but significant part of that vision – Roberts Park. This park is woven into the fabric of Fairmount Park, a green expanse that sprawls across Philadelphia.
The story of Roberts Park, and indeed, of Fairmount Park, is a tale of ambitious vision and passionate civic engagement. It all started with a desire to protect the city’s water supply. The Fairmount Water Works and its surrounding gardens became the nucleus of this grand project. The city gradually acquired land along the Schuylkill River, transforming private estates and wild landscapes into a public treasure.
One of the most remarkable things about Fairmount Park, and by extension, Roberts Park, is the dedication to art. In 1871, a group of citizens formed the Fairmount Park Art Association. Their mission? To adorn the park with sculptures and monuments, believing that art should be accessible to everyone. Their vision has left an indelible mark on Roberts Park and the entire park system. Today, the Association for Public Art, as it’s now known, continues to enrich the park with remarkable works of art.
As you stroll through Roberts Park, remember that you’re walking through a living testament to the power of civic pride and the enduring legacy of those who dared to dream big.