Fairmount Park Conservancy

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Stephen Girard Park in South Philadelphia

Overview

In 2008, we will continue to work on the following priorities:

  • Boxers' Trail
    Finish Phase II of this project to re-build the Trail and connect it to the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood as well as to the regional trail system leading to Valley Forge.
  • Education
    Develop the next generation of environmental stewards by providing on-site and outreach watershed programs for schools, targeting grades 4 and 7. Offer teachers in financially strapped districts complementary bussing for their trips to Fairmount Park's environmental centers, removing an oft-cited barrier to seeking the Park's help in fulfilling new academic standards for environment and ecology by the Pennsylvania Board of Education.
  • Fairmount Water Works South Garden and Cliff Paths  
    In January 2006, Women for the Water Works, an initiative of the Fairmount Park Conservancy, launched a campaign to raise 5 million dollars to complete the final phase of Ernesta Ballard's signature project.  This exciting final phase includes the restoration of the North and South Cliff Paths and the Mercury Pavilion. Monies raised are not only restoring the site for today - we are also ensuring that generation to come will be able to enjoy the restored Water Works by establishing a private maintenance endowment for the site.
  • Growing a Cleaner, Greener Neighborhood
  • Historic Houses Emergency Fund
    This fund was established in partnership with the Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust and is used for emergency repairs to historic houses in the park system that are most in need, as determined by the Trust. The Conservancy will continue to effectively administer this fund and will seek to increase it through new fundraising strategies.

We support projects that:

  • Fall within our three target areas:  environmental education, natural land restoration, and preservation of the Parks's cultural, historic, public and recreational sites and programs.
  • Advance our vision of the Park as a catalyst for Philadelphia's neighborhood renewal and economic development.
  • Help build coalitions and partnerships between and among the Conservancy, the philanthropic community and Park constituents.
  • Occur in a short time frame - starts quickly to build a track record of new successes in Fairmount Park.