ABOUT THE FRIENDS OF RITTENHOUSE SQUARE
The Friends of Rittenhouse Square, a non-profit organization, was established in 1976 to work with the Fairmount Park Commission to continue the preservation and beautification of the six-acre historical oasis. The Fairmount Park Commission has experienced severe funding cuts but continues to provide administrative and management services for Rittenhouse Square. The Friends have provided the financial support for the preservation, protection and beautification of the Square.
The Friends have one major annual event to raise funds…The Ball on The Square. Additional funding comes from our annual membership drive and private donations. Each year, proceeds raised allow us to make significant capital improvements to the Square.
Some of our accomplishments over the past few years include:
· The funding of:
· Weekly landscaping in the Square
· Additional Fairmount Park employee on weekends from May thru December to help keep the Square clean
· Sidewalk cleaning by Center City District employees
· Repair & painting of the entire exterior fencing in 2006
· Garden fencing at the four main entrances, the Lion’s Bed and East & West beds to protect the gardens
· Annual planting of the four main entrances
· Doggie bag dispensers & bags
· Restoration of the Children’s Fountain behind the Reflecting Pool
· New trees and shrubs
· Partnership with the Fairmount Park Commission’s Philadelphia Cares Day to plant impatiens around the perimeter of the Square each May
· Complete re-planting of the four main entrances
· Installation of teak benches
· New sprinkler system around the interior perimeter of the Square
· Upgrade of the entire sprinkler system throughout the Park
· Installation of new garden fencing, a sprinkler system and new landscaping around the interior oval
· New guardhouse
· New trash receptacles
· Renovation of the Goat Bench
· Through a generous contribution from a member, the entire Park was seeded with grass the Fall of 2002 and Spring of 2003
· In 2006 we will have the 8th Annual Kids Festival in the Square for neighborhood children 10 & under and their parents and grandparents
· The roll-up-your sleeves and perform essential gardening chores of weeding, planting, fertilizing, watering, dead-heading faded blooms …and much more…volunteer efforts
The Friends recognize the current needs of the Square, anticipate future ones and develop specific plans to deal with them in concert with the Fairmount Park Commission.
The Friends of Rittenhouse Square take great pride in the fact that this “Park For All Seasons” benefits not only Philadelphians, but also visitors from around the world.
We Care About Our Square
