Penn Park is a 24-acre (97,000 m2) park on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The park is at South 31st Street and Walnut Street, and features two athletic fields, a multipurpose stadium with 470 seats, a tennis center, a seasonal air structure, and picnic areas.[1][2] In Fall 2014, Penn partnered with the Philadelphia Orchard Project to establish the Penn Park Orchard in the southeastern corner of the park.[3]
History
The site was originally home to parking for the USPS (whose main Philadelphia location was immediately to the north before being repurposed by the IRS). The site is also at the level of the train platforms of the former postal complex and 30th Street Station which means that it is nearly 30 ft (9.1 m) below the adjacent streets.[4]
In 2007, Penn purchased the postal complex and entered into agreements that led to the redevelopment of the northern portions of the complex. Funds from the agreement were used to fund part of the $46.5 million cost of the park.[5]
Description
The park is located between Penn's campus and the Schuylkill River. It includes two turf athletic fields, a seasonal athletic sports dome, a softball stadium, a twelve-court tennis complex, and open space and walkways.
