Sister Cities Park
| Sister Cities Park | |
|---|---|
| Type | Urban pocket park |
| Location | Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Center City |
| Coordinates | 39.9575,-75.1705 |
| Area | 1.3 acres |
| Established | 2012 |
| Operated by | Center City District |
| Features | Boat pond, playground, café, interactive fountain |
| Hours | 6 AM - 12 AM daily |
| Transit | Walk from Suburban Station |
| Website | Official Site |
Sister Cities Park sits on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway right next to Logan Square. It's a 1.3-acre space that opened in 2012 and celebrates Philadelphia's connections with sister cities around the globe. Families visiting the nearby museums get a real amenity here.[1]
The park fills something that was missing. Before it existed, the Parkway's grand design didn't really have those intimate, human-scaled spaces you need amid all the monumental architecture of Museum Mile.
Features
Children's Discovery Garden
The playground's got some solid elements:
- Climbing structures
- Interactive elements
- Natural play features
- Age-appropriate equipment
Boat Pond
Here's the centerpiece. A model boat pond draws both kids and photographers:
- Shallow water for toy boats
- Surrounded by seating
- Reflective pool aesthetic
- Popular with children and photographers
Interactive Fountain
The splash fountain runs seasonally, which is when kids really take advantage of it:
- Pop-up water jets
- Children's play area
- Summer cooling
- Adjacent to café
Café
The Parks on Tap style café keeps things simple but useful:
- Coffee and beverages
- Light food
- Seasonal beer garden
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Restrooms
Gardens
Throughout the park you'll find plantings that matter:
- Native species
- Seasonal color
- Shade trees
- Green respite from city
Sister Cities Program
Philadelphia's sister city relationships are celebrated throughout the space:
| City | Country | Year Established |
|---|---|---|
| Tel Aviv-Yafo | Israel | 1966 |
| Florence | Italy | 1964 |
| Tianjin | China | 1980 |
| Kobe | Japan | 1986 |
| Aix-en-Provence | France | 1999 |
| Douala | Cameroon | 1986 |
| Toruń | Poland | 1976 |
| Nijmegen | Netherlands | 1991 |
| Incheon | South Korea | 1984 |
| Mosul | Iraq | 2009 |
You'll find interpretive elements scattered throughout that highlight these international ties.
Location
Location matters for any park. Sister Cities Park's got a prime spot here:
- Adjacent to Logan Square and Swann Fountain
- Near Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
- Between Free Library of Philadelphia and parkway museums
- Easy walking distance from Center City
Events
Various events happen throughout the year:
- Family programs
- Cultural celebrations
- Seasonal activities
- Music and performances
Visiting
Hours
- Park: 6 AM - 12 AM daily
- Café: Seasonal hours (check current times)
- Fountain: Seasonal operation (warm months)
Getting There
Location: 18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
By Public Transit:
- Walk from Suburban Station
- SEPTA buses along the parkway
- Walk from 30th Street Station
By Car:
- Nearby parking garages
- Limited metered street parking
Tips
If you're hitting the parkway museums, this is perfect for families. Stop at the café when you need a break from walking through galleries. Want to see it all. Combine the park with the Logan Square fountain. Bring swimsuits for the kids if it's hot and you want them splashing around.
See Also
References
- ↑ "Sister Cities Park". Center City District. Retrieved December 30, 2025