Thank you for visiting the Lemon Hill Park Improvements project blog.

Following the tremendous success of the FIFA Fan Festival™, which welcomed more than 500,000 visitors from 190 countries and territories to Lemon Hill, the City of Philadelphia is excited to begin the next phase of investments that will build on this momentum and enhance the park for the community for years to come.

This page will serve as the central source for information about the Lemon Hill improvements. We’ll be sharing monthly updates and other important announcements as work progresses.

Project Updates

Update: Thursday, July 30th, 2026
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation staff have been onsite all week leveling and aerating the ground as part of post-event restoration efforts. Grounds crews will continue to sweep the full footprint of the park as needed to address and remove any remaining debris from FanFest.

Project Scope of Work

Completed Improvements

  • New electrical service for power distribution within the park
  • Lemon Hill Drive road repaving
  • New ADA curb ramps and accessible walkways, including a new ADA asphalt walkway from Sedgley Drive to the upper parking lot
  • Repaired and regraded sidewalk along Sedgley Drive
  • Rebuilt walkway connecting Poplar Drive and Sedgley Drive, with added benches
  • Roadway striping, signage, and crosswalk improvements for pedestrian safety
  • Fishpond repairs, including coping, historical railing, and drain clearing
  • Historic Gazebo restoration, including handrail repair and invasive species clearing
  • Invasive plant and dead tree removal for pedestrian safety

Upcoming Improvements

  • New playground – A 43,500-square-foot inclusive playspace featuring;
    • A 15,300-square-foot play area,
    • Dedicated zones for ages 2–5 and 5–12,
    • Natural play elements (stepping logs, stones, and stumps),
    • An adult fitness area,
    • And, 20 newly planted trees.
  • Basketball court renovation
  • Baseball field renovation
  • Historical stairway masonry restoration
  • Mansion HVAC improvement
  • New trees and plantings – Canopy tree planting and understory plantings, along with viewshed clearing and invasive species removal to reopen the park’s historic view corridor toward Center City.
  • Lighting improvements – 53 new lighting poles along existing walkways and roadways to enhance safety and accessibility.
  • New picnic pavilions – Two ADA-accessible pavilions with seating and views overlooking the Philadelphia Museum of Art and skyline.
  • New wayfinding signage
  • Security bollards to protect walkways and planting beds from vehicle encroachment

These projects will be delivered in coordination with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Capital Program Office, and other City partners.

This effort builds on input from the community: across 9 public engagement sessions, more than 200 participants shared over 350 comments and questions that helped shape priorities, including requests to respect, protect, preserve, and restore Lemon Hill’s historic and natural character, restore existing amenities, and invest in new ones. More information on the community engagement process and the park improvements requested can be found in the community meeting presentation deck linked below.

Park Access During Construction

The playground will be closed during construction. Most of the park will remain open, with select areas throughout the park temporarily closed to accommodate construction activity.

While the playground is closed, visit the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Finder to find OPEN playgrounds near Lemon Hill Park.

Community Meeting Materials

Thank you to everyone who joined our community meeting on Tuesday, July 28. View the presentation shared at the meeting for more detailed information on the project, including the location of improvements, renders, and project timelines.

Community FAQs 

The following questions and answers reflect topics raised by community members at a public community meeting on Tuesday, July 28, about the planned Lemon Hill Legacy Improvements. 

Playground and Accessibility 

Will there be ADA-accessible paths to the picnic pavilions? 

Yes. ADA-accessible paths to the picnic pavilions are planned. 

Will the new playground include ADA-accessible and inclusive play equipment? 

Yes. Inclusive play is a priority for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) and the City of Philadelphia. The new Lemon Hill playground will include a number of ADA-accessible and inclusive play elements. 

Additional information about the playground equipment, including the accessible play components, can be found in the presentation shared at the community meeting on July 28th. 

Why is the new playground larger than the existing playground? Was that identified as a community priority? 

Replacement of the Lemon Hill playground has been planned for several years because of the condition and level of use of the existing playground. Funding became available in 2026 to move the project forward, and the new playground was designed with community input. 

Trees

Will the trees around the playground provide enough shade? 

The proposed tree species were selected to provide significant shade as they mature. The design team will also review the planting plan to determine whether species with larger canopies can be substituted while still meeting City requirements. 

Are the proposed trees native? 

Yes. The proposed trees are being selected from PPR’s approved native planting list. 

Are all of the new trees being planted in one area? 

No. Final tree planting locations have not yet been determined and will continue to be refined as the project progresses. 

Could Lemon Hill include a grove of lemon trees to celebrate the park’s history and name? 

It is a fun idea, but lemon trees cannot survive outdoors year-round in Philadelphia’s climate. Historically, lemons grown at Lemon Hill were cultivated in a greenhouse adjacent to the mansion. 

Park Amenities 

What improvements are being made to the basketball court? 

Improvements will include new court surfacing and striping, new benches, and new fencing. 

Will permanent drinking water be available in Lemon Hill Park? 

A permanent drinking fountain is not currently included in the project. 

PPR policies for drinking fountains at unstaffed sites take into account factors including staffing, maintenance and vandalism. PPR has heard the community’s interest in expanding access to drinking water at Lemon Hill and has noted the request. 

Could portable water stations be provided during the warmer months? 

Portable water stations require staff for setup, operation and maintenance. At this time, PPR does not have sufficient staffing to support seasonal portable water stations at Lemon Hill. 

Isn’t there already an unattended drinking fountain along Kelly Drive near the Lincoln statue? 

That fountain was installed by the Philadelphia Water Department. It currently has unresolved utility issues and is not in service. 

Will bathrooms be added to Lemon Hill Park? 

Permanent restroom facilities are not included in the current project scope, but will be evaluated. Public restrooms are available at Lloyd Hall Recreation Center nearby. 

Lighting, Electrical Infrastructure and Security 

Are recently installed streetlights and pedestrian lights being replaced? 

No. Recently installed light poles will remain in place. 

What will the new electrical infrastructure support? 

The new electrical infrastructure will support planned lighting and security camera installations. 

Traffic and Park Access 

Could Sedgley Drive between Girard Avenue and Poplar Drive be closed to through traffic? 

The City has discussed options for reducing cut-through traffic on Sedgley Drive. Completely closing this section to vehicles is not currently considered feasible because of operational and site-access needs. 

Could the Girard Avenue entrance to Sedgley Drive instead provide dedicated access to Porter House without allowing through traffic? 

PPR is interested in exploring potential options with City partners, including the Streets Department and the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS). This would require additional study and coordination and would be a longer-term process outside the scope of the current project. 

Construction, Cleanup and Turf Restoration 

What portions of the park will be closed during construction, and will there be signs directing people to other nearby playgrounds and basketball courts? 

Yes. Construction signage will identify affected areas and provide information to help park users find nearby recreational amenities during construction. 

When will the park be fully cleaned following FanFest? 

PPR crews have continued cleaning the site and will also use a magnetic sweeper to identify and remove any remaining metal debris. 

How will soil compaction and damaged turf be addressed? 

Turf restoration will include aeration and overseeding to help address soil compaction and restore lawn areas. 

Funding and Long-Term Maintenance 

How are the Lemon Hill legacy improvements being funded? 

Approximately half of the funding for the improvements is being provided by the City, with the other half supported through fundraising associated with FanFest. 

Will PPR receive additional maintenance funding for the larger playground, picnic areas, lighting and other new amenities? 

The Lemon Hill Legacy Improvements are being designed using PPR standards, with materials and features selected in part for their durability and PPR’s ability to maintain them over time. 

Community Engagement and Next Steps 

When will the next community conversation take place? 

PPR’s Stewardship team is coordinating with the Friends of Lemon Hill to schedule another community meeting during the week of August 24.