New Park Honors African-American Architect of Art Museum

PHILADELPHIA -- The city’s first new park in decades will pay tribute to a largely unknown but remarkable son of the South Philadelphia neighborhood.

Julian Abele Park, a pocket park located at 22nd and Montrose streets, is named for the first African-American graduate of the architecture program of the University of Pennsylvania. Abele worked on the designs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Free Library of Philadelphia, and dozens of landmark homes and commercial structures.

The ribbon-cutting for Julian Abele Park will be Saturday, Oct. 18, starting at noon. Speakers will include Philadelphia Green Senior Director Joan Reilly, City Council President Anna Verna, State Representative Harold James, Philadelphia Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson, and community and park representatives Darlene Branch Smith, Gregorio Cojulun, Terry Gillen, and Deborah Hopkins. Abele’s son, Julian Abele II, of Ocala, Fla., will be a special guest at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Discussions began about five years ago to transform what had long been a vacant lot into a much-needed, new green space for the neighborhood. The Community Design Collaborative initiated the process of creating a park. Philadelphia Green, the urban revitalization program of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, was then invited to revise the design and create a master plan for the park.

The first phase of the design, including trees, grass and benches, is completed except for a paved path that will run along the circumference of the park. The $100,000 funding for the first phase of the park was provided by the City of Philadelphia, the William Penn Foundation and Citizens Bank. “This is an example of a neighborhood liability that has been turned into a neighborhood treasure,” Reilly said.

Darlene Branch Smith, who has lived a block from the site for the last 30 years, agrees.“There were no green spots where you could just sit and look and think. There was just building, building, building,” she said. “The area began to close in on you.” Smith said she is looking forward to planting trees and shrubs during the next phase of the project. “The park is going to be beautiful,” she said. 

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1827 and is America’s first horticultural society. Through its membership program, shows, library and outreach efforts, the Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture.
           
For more information on Philadelphia Green, including park revitalization, visit www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org.
           
To arrange an interview with an expert on park revitalization and community organizing, call 215-988-8833 or 215-988-8836.

FOR PRESS INFORMATION, CONTACT:
ALAN JAFFE, email or call 215-988-8833
LAURA BEITMAN, email or call 215-988-8836