Jefferson Square

4th Street & Washington Avenue

Contact Person:  Mike Toklish, 215-551-8250

MToklish@aol.com

Park History   The park was established in the early 19th century in what was then known as the Village of Southwark, which was incorporated into the City of Philadelphia in 1854. During the Civil War the park was deeded to the Union Army for use as an encampment site and parade grounds. Following the war the park was deeded back to the City. The land was restored to a park during the 1870's using the Rittenhouse Square plans as a model. The park's current granite retaining walls and entrance pillars date to that restoration.

Friends of Jefferson Square Park   The Friends are local volunteers that maintain the park. Through fundraising and grants, the group has made significant improvements to the park. In 2004 the group replaced the wastebaskets, painted the benches, placed avenue banners around the park, organized cleanups and had water service restored to the park. In 2005 the Friends had the corner entrance gardens re-landscaped and replaced the 400 pound cast iron pillar urns at the corner entrances. The Friends hold regular meetings and host an annual summer concert and movie series. For more information,please contact Michael Toklish, President, at 215-551-8250 or mtoklish@aol.com.