Celebrating the return of LOVE Park
Fall in LOVE again this summer! On May 30, the City of Philadelphia and nonprofit partner Fairmount Park Conservancy celebrated the re-opening of Center City’s LOVE Park (JFK Plaza) with a ribbon cutting, music, performances, and giveaways.
Reasons to visit the redesigned park include:
- A new fountain with spray jets for cooling off during hot summer weather
- The return of the Lunch in LOVE program, featuring a mix of food trucks (Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
- Lots of seating
- Wheelchair-accessible layout
- More greenery– lawn areas, gardens, and trees
- Ping pong tables
Plus, planned programming for the future includes:
- Line dancing
- Wedding ceremonies
- Board games
- Relaxation/meditation classes
- Live performances
In 2019, the Welcome Center building will reopen with a new restaurant and public bathrooms.
There’s no gift like The Present
“The Present” returns to dazzle visitors and benefit two great causes!
The 27-foot-tall, walk-through gift box is back as the glowing centerpiece of Christmas Village in LOVE Park. And this year, there’s a surprise in store: a new, interactive component. In the spirit of the season, The Present creates a space for LOVE Park visitors to donate to two great causes:
- Support Philly parks: donate to Fairmount Park Conservancy, the nonprofit champion of Philly’s green spaces.
- Help end homelessness: donate to Project HOME. This group empowers individuals to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.
Now, after making a donation, visitors can trigger a series of color and patterns changes. These effects will race around the ribbon’s edges and bring The Present to life.
The gift that keeps on giving
Bank of America Charitable Foundation will match individual contributions up to $5,000.00 for the above-listed organizations.
The Present will debut on Giving Tuesday, December 3. Things wrap up for the season on Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve).
Did you know?
The Present features:
- A 4-foot decorative bow
- Five miles of red and white LED lights
- 100,000 bulbs.
Presented by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy. View a video of last year’s installation.
New pop-up gift shop
Also new to Christmas Village this year: a pop-up gift shop featuring LOVE Park themed items and more. Proceeds benefit two good causes–Philly parks and Project HOME. You’ll find the shop in a bright red shipping container near 16th and Arch Streets. The shop will sell the following:
- Mugs, winter hats, t-shirts, and more.
- Limited-edition keepsakes made from original LOVE Park granite.
- Candles from Project HOME’s Social Enterprise Program.
The shop will operate from November 22 through New Year’s Eve. It is a partnership between Parks & Rec and Fairmount Park Conservancy.
“Rise & Get Married” at LOVE Park
On February 14, the hosts of Power 99’s “Rise & Grind Morning Show” will marry three couples in front of the iconic LOVE sculpture. The wedding will follow a live station broadcast from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy are sponsoring the event.
The morning show hosts Mikey Dredd, Mutha Knows, and Roxy Romeo will officiate the ceremony. They’ll also select the three couples. Interested couples can enter by sharing their love story on the Power 99 website.
Winners will also receive a beautiful custom wedding cake from Classic Cake Bakery & Café. Valley Forge Casino Resort is also a sponsor.
For more information and the official contest rules, visit the Power 99 website.
Looking for a special Valentine’s gift?
Check out the LOVE Park Pop-up Gift Shop now through Valentine’s Day.
The shop offers a variety of “lovely” gifts for your loved one. It’s located in the park close to the corner of 16th and Arch Streets. Best of all, this is a gift that keeps on gifting—proceeds from sales benefit the park. Follow LOVE Park on Instagram for updates on the shop’s hours now through Valentine’s Day.