Philadelphia- Mayor Jim Kenney, Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis, and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell joined state and city officials and community members to celebrate the opening of the new Shakespeare and Pennypacker Parks located in front of the Parkway Central branch of the Free Library and the former Family Court Building on Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

The new parks were created by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as part of the multi-year reconstruction of the seven bridges over the Vine Street Expressway (I-676) between 18^th and 22^nd Streets.  PennDOT worked with the Ground Reconsidered team to restore the two parks. The new parks will be managed by the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation department.

“I am thankful that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is replacing the aged bridges over interstate 676, and transforming the space into vibrant, new public squares,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “These spaces are a welcome addition to the parkway.”

As part of the project to replace seven bridges over Interstate 676, PennDOT invested in improvements to the surface streets and public areas above the interstate. These enhancements include landscaping and hardscaping of public space at the two pedestrian bridges, along Winter Street and elsewhere within the work area; new sidewalks; and shortened cross-walks at the sprawling intersection of 20th Street and the Parkway.

“I am so excited to manage these two beautiful new parks,” said Commissioner Ott Lovell. “We are very grateful PennDOT provided our community two welcoming additions in Logan Square, giving people a place to relax, engage in social activity, and enjoy the beautiful scenery.”

The primary focus was to make the parks flexible open spaces to accommodate a range of large and small events while also designed for daily use such as lunchtime gatherings. The new bridge supporting Shakespeare Park was expanded between 20^th Street and the former Library Pedestrian Bridge to cap an Expressway opening, the new overpass is now the lawn area adjacent to the plaza.  Covering this void expands the park, connects it with the Parkway and quiets the Expressway below.

“This transformative project not only secures critical parts of our infrastructure with the replacement of seven structurally deficient bridges, it creates beautifully-imagined and well-integrated open spaces that people will treasure and enjoy for generations to come,” said Transportation Secretary Leslie S. Richards.

In addition to the parks original Shakespeare statue, amphitheater-style seating, lavender plant species, and Elizabethan-period plaza paving patterns have all been chosen to enrich the park with Shakespeare’s legacy. Along with his embellishments, new lighting, landscaping, benches, and walkways have been added to compliment the Ben Franklin Parkway standards and make the parks pedestrian friendly.

“We are constantly seeking opportunities for literacy to spill out beyond our walls into every corner of our city, which is why we are so thrilled to have the beautiful new Shakespeare Park right on the doorstep of the Parkway Central Library,” said Free Library President and Director Siobhan A. Reardon. “In honor of The Bard, who was a master storyteller, we look forward to bringing exciting programs into this wonderful space for Philadelphians of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy.”

The project also included replacing the pedestrian bridge linking Logan Circle with Vine Street at the former Family Court Building, PennDOT has landscaped and hardscaped the public space at the Pennypacker Monument area of Logan Square with paver blocks, a variety of trees and shrubs and new benches. The Pennypacker statue has been cleaned and refurbished.  Planter boxes now line the new sidewalks that will be constructed along Vine Street on the north side of Logan Square.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation: (PPR) advances the prosperity of the city and the progress of her people through intentional and sustained stewardship of nearly 10,200 acres of public land and waterways as well as through hundreds of safe, stimulating recreation, environmental and cultural centers. PPR promotes the well-being and growth of the city’s residents by connecting them to the natural world around them, to each other and to fun, physical and social opportunities. PPR is responsible for the upkeep of historically significant Philadelphia events and specialty venues, and works collaboratively with communities and organizations in leading capital projects and the introduction of inventive programming. To learn more about Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, visit us at www.phila.gov/parksandrec, and follow @philaparkandrec on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr.

For more information on the I-676 project, visit www.bridgesover676.com.

About the Free Library of Philadelphia
The Free Library of Philadelphia system, with 54 locations and The Rosenbach, advances literacy, guides learning, and inspires curiosity with millions of digital and physical materials; 25,000 yearly programs and workshops; free public computers and extensive Wi-Fi, including neighborhood Hotspots; and rich special collections, including  those at Parkway Central Library and at The Rosenbach. With more than 6 million in-person visits and millions more online annually, the Free Library and the Rosenbach are among the most widely used educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia and boast a worldwide impact.