Fun Things to Do in Philly this Week and Weekend

This week in Philly, we have Weird Al, Cyndi Lauper, Wu-Tang Clan, and Ghost in town, plus Summer Ale Fest, line dancing, outdoor movies in our parks, and much more

By Christina Griffith

“Keep Moving, Whatever You Do”

We Walk PHL has logged over 3,000 walks in 28 city locations over the last eight years. It’s reshaping how Philadelphians feel and appreciate their parks

By Thomas Devaney
The New Urban Order

We Need More Complete Parks

Are a restroom and a snack bar too much to ask for?

By Diana Lind

Where Are the Trees We Were Promised?

Two years into the City’s first-ever Tree Plan, our leafy coverage has remained static. What happens now?

By Courtney DuChene
Citizen of the Week

FDR Park Steward Tara Anastasi

The park’s volunteer coordinator gets it done, from reclaiming lakes from the “phrag” to putting anyone who raises their hands to work.

By Thomas Devaney

Where Art Thou, Rebuild?

Connor Barwin’s City-funded $21 million revamp of Vare Recreation Center shows what the Kenney-era program could accomplish — so why did it fall so short of its target?

By Malcolm Burnley

“A Place Where Everyone Comes Together”

The architect of Central Park’s Edenic resurgence has retired to our own Rittenhouse Square, where he is the most well-versed park volunteer. Here’s what he thinks we can learn from NYC

By Christine Speer Lejeune
The Citizen Recommends

Placemaking and Economic Growth

The next in our Development … for Good series in partnership with Fitler Club and Drexel’s Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation features Connor Barwin, Jerry Sweeney and other investors in our city’s public realm

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

What The Inquirer Got Wrong About FDR Park

A recent editorial declared support for remaking the South Philly park as an outdoor turf sports complex. That is not what we really need

By Lauren McCutcheon

How to End the Endless Fuss Over FDR Park

The plan for Philadelphia’s largest neighborhood park has prompted a contentious fight, South Philly style. Could the answer be as simple as a walk in the park?

By Lauren McCutcheon