Waterloo Playground
2022 / Philadelphia PA
RECONNECTING WATERLOO
This 44,000 SF public playground in North Philadelphia funded by the Make The World Better Foundation, served as an early pilot project for the City of Philadelphia’s Rebuild program. The existing mid-block playground, originally constructed in the 1960s on land formerly occupied by rowhouses lining an alley street, had been cut off from its context by a hard perimeter of chain link fencing, with a single gate that was often kept locked for security reasons. To tie the playground back to the community, the design created inviting yet securable entry portals at either end of the historic footprint of Waterloo Street, using the new central axis as an organizing element linking the playground’s diverse programming, and reestablishing the playground as a community anchor.
INVITATION TO PLAY
The design team worked closely with city agencies and community partners to develop an approach that met the safety requirements of current user groups while remaining adaptable for future needs. Working within the existing palette of fencing, three new gates constructed of brightly colored panels frame the approach to the park along Waterloo as well as to a third entrance facing the parallel street to the east. The refreshed entry points invite in constituents of all ages and reconnect the street grid without compromising park security.
BOLD + BRIGHT
An existing swimming pool and small rec center were refreshed in place, and the two existing basketball courts were relocated and resurfaced with ground-painted murals to create an organized and lively zone of fixed programming west of Waterloo. This tightened layout opened up space to the east for informal play areas designed for a variety of age groups, with zones for seating, play equipment and landscaping.
Designed in collaboration with playspace consultants Studio Ludo, community-based design-build teams at Tiny WPA, and local artist Calo Rosa.
