Mayor Jim Kenney and the community celebrated the $3.9 million restoration project at Fotterall Square Park earlier this month. City officials, the Philadelphia Union and Eastern PA Youth Soccer joined the mayor in opening the newly renovated facilities. The park improvements were made possible by the city’s Rebuild program, Philadelphia’s investment in public spaces, and through partnership with the Philadelphia Union Foundation and Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer.
Fotterall Square Park had not been renovated for more than half a century. Located in the Fairhill neighborhood, this park has been designed to serve the community for generations to come. The new Fotterall Playground, which spans the 2400 block of N. 11th St. between Cumberland Street and York Street, has new features such as walking paths and various sporting grounds.
“To witness the full transformation of Fotterall Square during my final year as mayor has been an honor,” Kenney said. “Public spaces are paramount to the development of our youth, and the new Fotterall Playground provides a high-quality space for the entire community to recreate together.”
The improvements to the park include new playground equipment and resurfaced play areas that include a basketball court and mini-soccer field. There have been improvements to park entrances at Cumberland Street and 12th Street to make the facility more ADA compliant. Lighting, benches, paths through the park and landscaping also were upgraded.
“We’re proud to celebrate the restoration of Fotterall Square Park today,” Council President Darrell Clarke said. “Fotterall Square playground has served this community in North Philadelphia for generations, and it was long past time for this upgrade and these additions. Everyone deserves a quality playground and park in their neighborhood, and we thank the Philadelphia Union, Eastern PA Youth Soccer and Rebuild for these investments and work.”
The addition of the soccer mini-pitch was made possible through a partnership with the Philadelphia Union Foundation and Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer.
“We are so excited to open another mini-pitch alongside our partners, the City of Philadelphia and Eastern PA Youth Soccer,” Philadelphia Union Foundation Executive Director Paul Howard said. “With each mini-pitch, we are providing a safe space for a new generation of young soccer fans to fall in love with the game.”
The Union has a vested interest in seeing its sport grow, especially in areas like North Philadelphia.
“Fotterall Square is home to our member soccer club, AC Fairhill,” Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association CEO Chris Branscome said. “The kids in this club and this community deserve this mini-pitch, and we’re proud to have partnered with everyone that made it happen.”
The city’s Rebuild program spearheaded the efforts to bring the park into the next century with its renovations.
“Fotterall Square Park has been a staple in this community for 56 years, and now this community can proudly carry on its legacy,” said Rebuild Executive Director Kira Strong. “Thank you to the Fotterall community advocates who helped us restore this park, your partnership was essential to this renovation.”
