New park will be on Ben Franklin Parkway

It’s part of sprucing up the city’s big boulevard

Philadelphia’s Ben Franklin Parkway is getting spruced up thanks to over 19 million dollars in funding from the city, state and private sources. A backhoe cracking payment started the construction work.

The improvements are aimed at beautifying the tree-lined boulevard that is home to some of the city’s most famous landmarks and cultural institutions. Mayor Michael Nutter says the work will include landscaping of the Rodin Museum and creating an entirely new Sister Cities Park on the east side of Logan Square in front of the Cathedral.

“On the plaza’s south side a new fountain will include a globe on which Philadelphia’s 10 sister cities will be marked and on the north end a children’s discovery garden which will include a pond and rock climbing.”

Governor Ed Rendell says he wants to find the money to redo Dillworth Plaza in front of City Hall to act as a great beginning of the Parkway. Money for that project is not included in the current improvements.