Logan Circle

Philadelphia, PA

Submitted by: Project for Public Spaces

Home to probably the best fountain in the United States, but very hard to reach, the major public institutions around the Circle have no presence in it.

Click on any image for slide show

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12/14/05 Keith Davis said:

As a student of Urban Planning, and a former Philadelphia resident, I would like to challenge this nomination for Logan Circle into the "Hall of Shame". The 6th picture in the slide show reveals the Circle's true function. I recommend observing the Circle from the Philadelphia Art Museum (end of the Boulevard, foreground of picture 6). Count how many tourists and residents run up the "Rocky" stairs, turn around, and marvel at the view corridor that connects the Museum with City Hall. This view reveals Philadelphia for what it really is, a big town. Regarding making the street more pedestrian oriented, the width and use of the Boulevard provides a necessary seem between Center City and North Philly. Plus, I think that the Boulevard as it stands is a perfect place to run. The openness of the area creates a nice integration between driver and runners (ok, you HAVE to run to survive -- I'll give you that) as it leads to popular Kelly Drive behind the Museum.

Logan Circle was originally used for executions. The Swann Memorial Fountain was an afterthought. Logan Circle is a glorified roundabout for drivers and a piece of the view corridor. For the smaller scale experience, let the pedestrians go to nearby Love Park, closer to the heart of the business district, and a special spot for business men and women, school kids, tourists, visitors to City Hall, and even pro skateboarders (who keep the park alive at night). Just because its a nice fountain with nice landscaping doesn't mean you have to touch it. In my opinion, the beauty of the fountain is that its an elegant refuge that defies the hectic street.

09/07/07 Tom Sennett said:

I didn't realize the shortcomings of this circle until I saw Trafalgar Square, which used to have a huge traffic circle that cut off the open space of the square from the surrounding museums, stores, restaurants, etc. I think Philly should find a way to do the same thing here. The traffic on the south side of the circle should be eliminated, but the continuous view line from the Art Museum down to City Hall must be maintained, and the the traffic artery between City Hall and the Art Museum must also be maintained. (They managed this at Trafalgar.) The two main institutions on the north of the square, the family court and the library, are already cut off by the Vine Street expressway, and most of the pedestrian traffic is on the south side - Franklin Institute, multiple hotels, the commercial buildings of West Market Street, and a large residential presence of some high rises and some other lower town home/row home types. Love Park is a good gathering spot, but it is hemmed in by a lot of tall buildings, and doesn't have the open feel of Logan Square. I think Trafalgar Square is now one of the premier public spaces in the world since the elimination of the traffic that cut it off from its surroundings. I think a similar solution could yield similar benefits for Logan Square. Does PPS take any action on these things? Thanks for the site.