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LOVE Park Redevelopment & Programming

Fairmount Park Conservancy (2017-2018)

Renderings of the future LOVE Park and Welcome Center (Hargreaves)

Summary
As part of the major redesign of Philadelphia’s iconic LOVE Park, I helped reimagine how this world-renowned public space could better serve both visitors and the city itself. My work focused on building partnerships, creating activations, and introducing new strategies for sustainable revenue through sponsorship and on-site offerings—without sacrificing the park’s welcoming, public feel.

My Role

  • Helped shift the mindset of key stakeholders toward place activation and revenue generation through on-site business operations to support long-term management and maintenance

  • Built relationships with local restaurateurs and used expert insights to advocate for a more impactful use of the Welcome Center building

  • Advocated for public park users and restaurant interests in building redesign

  • Led early strategy for food programming, arts events, and brand alignment

  • Developed sponsorship models and a signature fundraising event

Approach

  • Advocated for revenue-generating businesses/concessions, events, and activations to ensure higher-level maintenance and operational oversight at the completed park

  • Participated on the cross-functional design and planning committee overseeing the park’s redevelopment

  • Challenged assumptions from prior studies and provided persuasive alternatives

  • Facilitated design charettes with restaurateurs and city leaders to explore restaurant feasibility within facility on-site

  • Partnered with tourism and cultural institutions to shape a cohesive activation plan

  • Organized a Friends’ Group to raise funds to support the park’s redevelopment

Completed renovations at LOVE Park. Photos courtesy Fairmount Park Conservancy.

Outcomes

  • Persuaded park leadership to prioritize active use in the Welcome Center (reducing proposed office space)

  • Created a more flexible foundation for event programming and long-term revenue potential

  • Enhanced appeal of LOVE Park to both residents and tourists through arts and dining

  • Positioned LOVE Park as a flagship example of placemaking-meets-economic-strategy

  • Renderings of the proposed park and Welcome Center (Hargreaves)

  • Evening "Friend-raiser" event at LOVE Park

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