Greenways enhance Penn’s “greene Country Towne”
This “greenway” in the Society Hill section of Philadelphia extends William Penn’s groundbreaking plan for his city. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast.
William Penn wanted Philadelphia to be a “greene Country Towne.” Two important local leaders helped continue that plan almost 300 years later, turning the Society Hill area from a slum into one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods.
Edmund N. Bacon, executive director of the city’s planning commission from 1949 to 1970 (and father of actor Kevin), developed a creative urban renewal plan in Society Hill that helped restore hundreds of 18th and 19th century homes.
As part of that redevelopment, Bacon introduced “greenways” – into the Society Hill neighborhood. Signage installed by the Society Hill Civic Association on Spruce Street between 4th and 3rd Street in 2005 tells us more about them.
Greenways are “landscaped, mid-block pedestrian walkways” – that link the community to its historic churches, to Washington Square and to Independence National Historical Park.
Charles E. Peterson, National Park Service preservation architect, helped develop Independence National Historical Park, resurrected the name “Society Hill” and restored two early 19th century houses built by Stephen Girard.
Between the two of them, they made Society Hill a far better place to live.
Sources:
Street signage installed by the Society Hill Civic Association in 2005.