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Barbara Capozzi can’t say enough about FDR Park. As secretary on the park’s Friends of FDR Park board, she gushed about Frederick Law Olmstead’s creation, a 350-acre parcel of natural beauty that she calls “heavenly.”
“I can guarantee you when you go down there, when you leave you’ll be happier, calmer, refreshed and renewed,” the resident of the 1900 block of South Hartranft Street said.
Every time Capozzi goes to New York City she forces her husband to drive through Central Park, another Olmstead creation.
“It’s the most beautiful place on Earth,” she opined.
One could say the Packer Park realtor appreciates a well-designed public space, ideal for a stroll or bike ride or leisurely afternoon with a book and blanket.
She says the park’s full of features that are desirable for South Philadelphians from Queen Village to Whitman to Grays Ferry.
“We have a world-famous skate park. We have the only fishable lake in Philadelphia. We have tennis courts. We have a beautiful Swedish Museum that’s been there since before the park opened,” she said.
The park’s also recently welcomed fishing advocates, Bass Anglers, and golf enthusiasts, The First Tee of Greater Philadelphia, which “teaches life lessons like responsibility and self-respect.”
And there’s much more on the horizon. She said they’ve raised money to hire a scientist who’s tackling an algae build-up, and they’ll be installing a fountain. A dog park could be coming too, but not without volunteerism and funding.
“We’re trying very hard to get a dog park, which is very complex,” Capozzi said.
She’d also like to add a Central Park-like boathouse with a restaurant and a wedding reception destination.
“I wish that I could work full-time on the park, I would be thrilled,” she gushed.
Capozzi encourages area residents and fans of the park to sign up for e-blasts at FDRPark.org.
“That’s what we want to see the most, people using the park,” the 2014 South Philly Review difference maker said. “The more people down there, the more resrouces the Parks department can give us.”
The Schuylkill River trail and The Philadelphia Navy Yard made a strong showing, too, finishing in second and third.
Staff Writer Bill Chenevert at bchenevert@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
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