Full circle in Philly square

IN a salute to adopted son Benjamin Franklin on the 300th anniversary of his birth, once-scruffy Franklin Square in Philadelphia -- the City of Brotherly Love -- has been given $6.5 million of loving care to make it a family-friendly tourist attraction.

The spruced-up square, which is within the city’s historic district, four blocks north of Independence Hall, made its debut July 31 with new attractions, including a carousel and a miniature golf course.

“Franklin Square really had not been used at all for 30 years, except by the homeless population,” said Amy Needle, executive director of Once Upon a Nation, which was tapped to renovate and manage the square.

Two state-of-the-art playgrounds have replaced an old one that had become a dumping ground for drug paraphernalia. The square’s centerpiece, an 1838 fountain that hadn’t worked in 30 years, is splashing again, and once dark and dangerous walkways have been replaced and lighted.

Once Upon a Nation, an initiative of the nonprofit Historic Philadelphia Inc., founded in 1994 to promote tourism, has worked with city agencies to relocate the homeless, some of whom will get jobs at Franklin Square.

The 7.5-acre square is one of five in the 17th century town designed by William Penn, founder of the British North American colony that became Philadelphia. Penn, born in London, had lived through that city’s devastating bubonic plague and great fire and understood the importance of green spaces as a deterrent to the spread of fire and disease. Sadly, only three of his squares survive.

Until now, Franklin Square was the most obscure, perceived not only as dangerous but also as pedestrian-unfriendly, bordered by busy streets and an expressway. Visitors walking from Independence Hall must cross three streets, but now steps have been taken to lighten traffic and enlarge walkways.

It is appropriate that the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel (named for sponsor Philadelphia Park racetrack) is a major feature. Philadelphia once was the carousel-making capital of the world and in the mid-19th century was home to America’s first carousel, now relocated to an Ohio amusement park.

The Franklin Square carousel is 36 feet in diameter, painted with Philadelphia scenes and topped with a lighted finial. Its 30 carved figures include horses, a sea dragon and an African elephant.

On the miniature golf course, players will stroke their way through replicas of Philadelphia landmarks.

“You can putt over the Ben Franklin Bridge and try not to get into the Delaware River,” Needle said.

On the 18th hole, Needle said, “You’re putting your ball through the crack in the Liberty Bell. It rolls down and winds up in front of Independence Hall.”

The park will be open daily through Oct. 31. Food vendors will sell snacks, including Philadelphia soft pretzels (but not cheesteak sandwiches), and there will be crafts demonstrations by artisans in Colonial garb. Once Upon a Nation storytellers will staff storytelling benches, where visitors may sit and listen to 300 years of history retold where it was made. Private, public, foundation and grant money funded the renovation.

Park admission is free. The carousel is $3 for adults and $2 for children, the miniature golf $8 for adults and $6 for kids. Info: www.onceuponanation.org.