The Ben Franklin Parkway, first conceived in 1871 as a link between the industrial city and the healthy climes of nearby Fairmount Park as part of the City Beautiful Movement, was largely designed in 1917 by the French landscape architect Jacques Greber and architect Paul Cret, inspired by the Champs-Élysées. Today the Parkway is the heart of Philadelphia, flanked by museums and green space and serving as an iconic public space, critical gateway into Center City, and vibrant arts and cultural district. Join Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell for a Segway tour of the Parkway, beginning at the always-photogenic Love statue in Love Park, to learn about Philadelphia’s urban park system and a new Parkway Redesign.
Join the “Commish” to be regaled with history and anecdotes as we visit Logan Circle, one of the five original planned squares laid out on the city grid by William Penn; Sister Cities Park, a children’s nature park and garden; and Eakins Oval, a transformational public space that provides pop-up experiences, with the Philadelphia Art Museum as the backdrop. (Yes, you can get your photo op at the famous “Rocky Steps.”) The tour will continue to Boathouse Row, a historic site consisting of 15 boathouses located on the east bank of the Schuylkill River, before returning to Love Park.
Registration Note: This tour session is identical to the “Early Tour” option. We are offering the tour twice to accommodate as many as possible since each session is capacity-limited. The only difference is the start time.
