Groundbreaking Marks New Chapter for Walnut Hill Playground

Improvements will add a retaining wall to the beloved community space with hopes for more on the way.

On the morning of Monday, April 28, 2025, local stakeholders, elected officials, and neighbors gathered at 47^th and Spruce Streets in West Philadelphia to celebrate an official groundbreaking for upcoming improvements to the Walnut Hill Playground. The improvements are the result of a collaborative effort between University City District’s Green City Works landscaping team, the Walnut Hill Community Association, and local non-profit Do Moore Good to secure a $75,000 investment from the Target Foundation.

Using input from a community survey and multiple community meetings, the first phase of the project will focus on replacing the existing play surface with new rubber tiles and installing a new retaining wall with built-in seating. The project partners are actively pursuing additional funding to support future phases, including shade structures, new play equipment, exercise stations, and other community-requested amenities.

Pictured left to right: Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, State Representative Rick Krajewski and WHCA President Margaret Livingston — Pictured left to right: *State Representative Rick Krajewski*, *Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, and WHCA President Margaret Livingston*

Among the attendees for the groundbreaking were City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, State Representative Rick Krajewski, Walnut Hill Community Association (WHCA) President Margaret Livingston, Shuja Moore, who serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator for WHCA and heads the Do Moore Good non-profit, Morgan Rogers Burns, VP of Advancement for UCD , and Brian English, Green City Works Vice President.

The local stakeholders and community leaders gathered to officially kick off construction by members of Green City Works this spring. Speakers at the event took turns highlighting the importance of public spaces and playgrounds to the local community and of the long history of the Walnut Hill Playground. The partners also spoke to the power of collaboration that helped put these needed improvements forward. While the event unfolded, children from a nearby daycare filled the space with laughter as they used the playground, which had last been updated 15 years ago in 2010.

For ongoing updates, project renderings, and ways to get involved — including a volunteer day planned in May — residents are encouraged to visit UCD’s project webpage.

Event photos by Berri Wilmore for University City District.

A rendering of a new retaining wall with built-in seating at the Walnut Hill Community Playground — A rendering of what a new retaining wall with built-in seating could look like.

An overhead rendering of a concept for a refresh of the Walnut Hill Community Playground at 4700 Sansom. — A rendering of what a new retaining wall with built-in seating could look like.