Liberty Lands
Liberty Lands is a two-acre, multi-use community green
space, wholly owned and maintained by the Northern
Liberties community. Originally the Liberty Lands site was
fully developed, with buildings that held many businesses
including a tannery. These buildings were donated by
a developer in 1994 and the plan was to develop the
property as senior housing, but these plans had to be
abandoned when the buildings were demolished.
In 1996, a small group of neighbors conceived a vision to
create a park on the site. At the time, Northern Liberties
was the only zip code in Philadelphia without a green
space. A landscape designer volunteered his services to
create a design, and a $59,000 grant allowed the project
to begin. EPS soil testing ensured that this former
Superfund site could be safely developed for green
space; Liberty lands is now a poster project for the
EPA’s “Brownfields to Greenfields” program.
With national support, several small
grants, donations of materials, food,
plants, trees, professional services, construction
services and thousands of hours
of volunteer labor, in the spring of 1997
the park became a reality. The park was
quickly recognized as the heart of the
Northern Liberties community and the
City of Philadelphia forgave many tax
and demolition liens on the property.
The Playground in the Park was conceived
soon after the establishment of the park.
For four years a group of volunteers
designed, fundraised, and then built the
five-unit playground. Plans to further
involve the growing community of young
families include a Children's Garden,
playground shade improvements, and
new children's activities.
Liberty Lands plays host to a variety of
community events for all ages. Large
neighborhood parties, like the summer
music festivals, take place here, as do
picnics and birthday parties. The free Lawn
Chair Drive-In movie series plays weekly
during the summer; halloween brings the
Hayride and other holiday activities for
kids. Monthly workdays are a chance for
neighbors to meet each other and to work
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Orianna Hill Dog Park
And for those four legged canine neighbors,
just across from Liberty Lands, with
an entrance on Orianna Street, is a safely
fenced-in dog park. Our dogs like to socialize
as much as we do! So let your canine
companions frolic with their friends, or
just come as a quiet time to read or toss a
ball for your dog. Become a voting member
of the Dog park and, more
importantly, support this
fantastic neighborhood
asset by paying annual
dues. The Dog park
offers many fun
events, like the
annual Houndo-
ween party and
the Friday night
social evening in
the summer.
Call 215.627.NLNA
to get involved with Liberty
Lands or Orianna Hill Park.
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