From Parking Lot To Paradise: Penn Park Opens To The Public Tonight

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A fireworks show tonight at 7:30 looks to be a colorful way to open a space that’s very green. The University of Pennsylvania is inviting all to make use of its new park.

It has a picnic grove, athletic fields, tennis courts and open space, but the main draw of Penn Park’s 24 acres?

“The views of the Philadelphia skyline are the best in the city.”

Before, a parking lot. After, UPenn president Amy Gutmann says, a traffic-driver for student-athletes, faculty and staff — and anyone else looking for an urban oasis.

“As you come over the Walnut Street Bridge into West Philadelphia, there’s now a ramp you can walk down, walk your bicycle down, run down. It comes right into the park — you can use it, and then walk into our campus or back home, whatever you like.”

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An artist's rendering of the soon-to-be-completed Penn Park. (Credit: University of Pennsylvania, University Communications)

It’s open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, and the athletic facilities can be rented.

The grand opening starts at 5 tonight, when they’ll plant trees to add to the 500 new ones already taking root.

Reported by Ian Bush, KYW Newsradio 1060