The Centennial District is the heart of Fairmount Park: a premier Philadelphia destination rich in natural beauty, history, and innovative experiences that welcomes neighbors and visitors to gather, learn, relax, and have fun.
Philadelphia Parks and Recreation has embarked on an ambitious planning effort in partnership with the Fairmount Park Conservancy and the district's anchor institutions—the Mann Center, Please Touch Museum, and Philadelphia Zoo—to create an overarching framework to guide equitable investments in the park experience for both visitors and residents alike.
Goals (Draft)
- Prioritize convenient, safe, and accessible routes for pedestrians and cyclists to get to and around the District.
- Promote physical and mental wellbeing.
- Balance the recreation needs of surrounding neighborhoods with destination spaces, facilities, and events.
- Provide facilities and consistent programming to engage youth.
- Actively seek out opportunities to economically support surrounding residents and businesses.
- Develop a strong brand and identity for the District.
- Honor the history of the District and the people who did and continue to use it.
- Maintain and operate the District at the level necessary for a clean and safe signature park.
- Identify a single entity that has responsibility for daily oversight of and to coordinate funding for the District.
- Build on existing restoration efforts to create a healthy ecosystem that can be a model within Philadelphia.