PHILADELPHIA — Today Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke joined Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Logan Square Neighborhood Association to celebrate the opening of a brand new playground and dog park at 21st and North Winter Streets.

The Winter Street Greenway and Rob Stuart Memorial Dog Park was named in honor of the late Rob Stuart, a civic leader and past president of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association. The brand new green space is created on the site of a disused lane of traffic and parking area, and is part of Parks & Recreation’s ongoing effort to green the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

“This welcoming new green space is a fitting tribute to Rob Stuart, a community leader who advocated for public spaces and his community,” said Council President Darrell Clarke. “The legacy of Mr. Stuart is one of service to others and dedication to community. Thank you to his family, and the Logan Square Neighborhood Association, for your commitment to seeing this project through and providing such a  wonderful new resource for the whole community.”

The $1 million dollar Winter Street Greenway project was made possible by Council President Darrell Clarke, with additional support from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Keystone Community Program and Greenways Trails and  Recreation Program, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Improvements were supported and carried out in partnership with Logan Square Neighborhood Association and PennDOT.

The new park includes:

• Playground equipment for ages 2-5 and 5-12 with safety surface.
• A grassy mound with accent benches for passive recreation.
• A grassy mound with boulders to serve as a barrier between the playground and Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
• The new dog park features a small and large dog area, and has synthetic dog turf and drinking fountains.
• The project also includes essential hard-scape and landscape improvement, including site amenities, including benches, trash receptacles, fencing, and trees.

“The story of this park speaks to the incredible power public spaces have to transcend differences and bring communities together,” said Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. “We are incredibly grateful to the Council President, the Logan Square Neighborhood Association, and the family of Rob Stuart for your commitment to this park and this community.”

Note to editors:

Photo captions

• Winter Street 01: (L:R) City Council President Darrell Clarke, Drew Murray, and Sarah Clark Stuart (both of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association) try out the new play equipment at the Winter Street

• Winter Street 02: (L:R) Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Deputy Commissioner Aparna Palantino, City Council President Darrell Clarke, Sarah Clark Stuart, Marina Stuart, Curtis Wilkerson, and Councilmember Helen Gym cut the ribbon the Rob Stuart Memorial Dog Park

• Winter Street 03: A caregiver and child take a reading break at the new playground

• Winter Street 04: The Rob Stuart Memorial Dog Park

• Winter Street 05: A dog enjoying the Rob Stuart Memorial Dog Park

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) advances the prosperity of the city and the progress of its people through stewardship of nearly 10,200 acres of public land and waterways, and management of 500 recreation buildings, 184 miles of trail, and 250 playgrounds. PPR offers safe,  enjoyable  recreation, environmental and cultural programs and events throughout Philadelphia’s parks and recreation system. PPR promotes the well-being and growth of the city’s residents by connecting them to the natural world, to each other and to fun, physical and social opportunities.