Nature Phase

The Nature Phase is a 130+ acre effort to re-establish resilient, native natural habitats in the western half of FDR Park. This ecological effort – one of the largest in Philadelphia – will restore wetland, forest, and riparian (riverbank) areas of the park, which were disrupted in the 20th century by the construction of a golf course which has since closed. Reintroducing natural habitat with native vegetation to Philadelphia’s only estuarial city park will benefit residents and local wildlife, and enhance the park’s longevity in the face of climate change. Incredible progress has already been made with the construction of a 33-acre tidal wetland, made possible by the PHL Airport, as well as a two-acre forested wetland nearby. The Fair Play Campaign will support restoration of the park’s Shedbrook Creek to accommodate boating activities, and allow park visitors to explore stunning habitats.

Creating an urban wetland from a former dump site in FDR Park

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Credits:

Project Team: Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, WRT Design, PHL Airport, BioHabitats, Urban Engineers

Renderings: WRT Design