Linda K. Harris
lharris@centercityphila.org
215.440.5546
PHILADELPHIA (January 12, 2017) – Dilworth Park at City Hall welcomed record-breaking weekend crowds during December when the park, now in its third winter season, hosted the Rothman Institute Ice Rink, Rothman Cabin, the City’s Christmas tree, the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market and the park’s newest attraction, America’s Garden Capital Maze. An average of 36,000 people each day passed through the park during December, with crowds on weekends surpassing 37,500 visitors daily, making it the second busiest outdoor location in Center City, behind only the intersection of 16th and Chestnut Streets. Weekend visitors in December equaled the peak weekday crowds of July, when Philadelphia hosted the Democratic National Convention, highlighting Dilworth Park’s expanding role as a leisure and entertainment destination during the holiday season.
By the end of December, the number of skaters enjoying the Rothman Institute Ice Rink had already exceeded last year’s season total of 47,000 skaters, with six weeks still remaining in the skating season.
America’s Garden Capital Maze, made possible by the William Penn Foundation, debuted this year on the Greenfield Lawn on the south end of Dilworth Park and was enjoyed by an average of 6,000 people per day on the weekends, with some Saturdays attracting almost twice as many visitors, and peaking at 12,000 on the last Saturday in November when the City of Philadelphia celebrated a tree-lighting ceremony at the edge of Dilworth Park. The Maze will remain open through February 26. America’s Garden Capital, an affiliation representing over 30 public gardens in the region, partnered with the CCD to help create the Maze and is also presenting gardening classes and demonstrations in the Rothman Cabin, also through February 26.
Since the CCD first opened the park in 2014, new attractions have steadily been added to the park for the winter season. In 2014, the park only had an ice rink. In 2015, the Rothman Cabin and holiday markets were added. For 2016, the Cabin area was expanded and the Maze and the City’s Christmas tree were added, enhancing the attractiveness of the park.
The Rothman Institute Ice Rink and the Rothman Cabin will remain open until February 26, with special activities, music and happy hours. The Winter Season at Dilworth Park is presented by Rothman Institute, William Penn Foundation and through generous support from Subaru, Capital One, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Temple University and 6abc. For more information on the continuing activities at Dilworth Park, please go to dilworthpark.org.
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The Center City District, a private-sector organization dedicated to making Center City Philadelphia clean, safe and attractive, is committed to maintaining Center City’s competitive edge as a regional employment center, a quality place to live, and a premier regional destination for dining, shopping and cultural attractions. Find us at www.centercityphila.org and on Facebook and Twitter.