Rittenhouse Square to Get New Lighting. Now About Those Rats…
The Friends of Rittenhouse Square have been on an improvement tear. Last summer, Friends President Betsy Hummel announced Phase One of the group’s lighting project–including LED lights and surveillance cameras–which is meant to prevent vandalism and increased graffiti. In the Summer 2012 newsletter, Hummel wrote:
Although most visitors treat Rittenhouse Square respectfully and appropriately, the park has unfortunately suffered from increased graffiti and vandalism in recent years. In collaboration with our partners at Philadel- phia Parks & Recreation, it was agreed that improving lighting and security in the Square were critically important steps to addressing this misbehavior.
The Friends group and the Dept. of Parks and Recreation are investing a total of $1 million for continued improvements. This week they met with the Philadelphia Art Commission to get approval for their lighting plan, which was described by PlanPhilly:
The architectural lighting presented today is designed by 521 Atelier of Bryn Mawr, and serves to brighten corners and sections of the park that remain dim, Hummel explained. They include five focal points: the fountain, the guard house at the center of the square, the stone balustrade that rings the center, the historic gardener’s shed, and the iconic lion sculpture.
The lighting will be in warm tones. Now if the Friends could just take care of the rodent problem without replaying the Great Squirrel Kill-off, we’ll be in business.
Art Commission approves Rittenhouse Square, Zoo improvements [PlanPhilly]
