Fermob tables and chairs similar to these will be installed in Clark Park’s revamped “A” section.
The northern section of Clark Park (Park A) will officially reopen June 16, according to the Friends of Clark Park website.
An opening ceremony is tentatively scheduled for the afternoon (after 3 p.m., though an exact time is not set) and will include representatives of state and local government, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, and cooperating partner organizations.
The park has been undergoing major renovations since September 2010, including the removal of several trees. Other changes include paved paths, lighting, drainage and resodding.
The central plaza area of the new “A” section will also include cafe style seating with small tables and chairs. We’re not sure how these are going to be secured. The tables and chairs were bought with a $3000 donation from Bryan and Lisa Hanes.
May 26th, 2011 at 9:56 am
Looks like they are not going to be secured at all? From the Friends of Clark Park site:
“PlanCom is focusing extra hard on the deployment of the many new movable tables and chairs in the new Central Plaza – a radical idea, at least in West Philadelphia. But it’s an affordable test, and it can also teach us about the best way to lay down future, more permanent design elements here.”
May 26th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Why would they remove trees from a park?! This is not an improvement, and it was supposed to be done in November!
May 26th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@CM – A lot of the trees were dead and they needed to be removed for safety reasons. Also, there was also a lot of damage after that huge storm we had last June. I, however, also wonder why it took SO long to complete the work.
The chairs aren’t going to be secured? – they will last about 15 minutes.
May 26th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
It’s hard to believe that they’ve done all this work without dealing with the sidewalk on 43rd. Even temporary pavers would have cut down on the mud we will all be walking though on Farmer’s Market days. As it is all that new grass will be ruined after the first couple of rainy Saturdays.
May 26th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
“The tables and chairs were bought with a $3000 donation from Bryan and Lisa Hanes.”
And they arent going to be secured? That will be $3000 down the drain by nighttime on the the first day.
May 26th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
I agree. I sure could make good use of that $3000 and would guarantee it wouldn’t be squandered in a few hours as surely this frivolous idea will be. Bryan and Lisa Hanes, are you reading this? Is it too late for you to get your money back? I can detail for you how I would put that money to good use! Give it to me!
May 26th, 2011 at 8:18 pm
I thought it was stated that some sort of permanent shed/roofing was going to be done on the Farmers’ Market side?
Those cute (unsecured) tables & chairs’ll look great in a dorm room…or wherever!
May 26th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
1) The tables and chairs will be secured. (We’d planned to leave them unsecured, to let people move them to suit themselves, but changed our minds– partly because of theft, but also because of strong winds.)
2) The delays are sort of a domino effect. The project was supposed to start in August. The city didn’t sign the contractor’s contracts, so it was delayed to September. This meant that the grass seed and sod couldn’t be put down in late October as planned, and had to be delayed until this Spring.
3) The 43rd street project didn’t get funded. We’re hoping to move on that project next year.
Keep up over at http://www.friendsofclarkpark.org.
May 26th, 2011 at 11:39 pm
My husband is a locksmith. Anything can be locked down and secured! It’s better to take preventative measures in security. Unfortunately, people don’t ever think it will happen to them (or their lawn furniture)!
May 27th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
The model for adding ‘unsecured’ tables and chairs was (according to this video on the Friends of Clark Park website: http://www.clarkpark.info/ParkA.htm ), is Bryant Park in Manhattan, which has a similar collection of moveable unsecured furniture. There was apparently an initial rash of theft of the furniture which soon tapered off to a manageable level. It is an experiment to be sure, but a bold and welcome one. Bryan and Lisa Haynes are obviously very dedicated to their project.
May 29th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Are the gates on Baltimore and Chester supposed to be open? Because they are and there were people (obviously not city workers) inside.
May 29th, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Nope, the place isn’t open yet. People shouldn’t be in there.