Love Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John F. Kennedy Plaza |
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| LOVE Park | |
August 2010 view of LOVE Park, with the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the distant background
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Created | 1965 |
| Operated by | Philadelphia Parks & Recreation |
| Status | Open |
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LOVE Park, officially known as John F. Kennedy Plaza, is a famous public park in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. People call it LOVE Park because of the well-known LOVE sculpture by Robert Indiana that stands there. This sculpture looks out over the park.
Contents
History of LOVE Park
How the Park Was Designed
The original LOVE Park was planned by former Philadelphia city planner Edmund Bacon and architect Vincent G. Kling. The park is located right across from the Philadelphia City Hall. It helps create a beautiful view at the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
When the Park Was Built
LOVE Park was built in 1965. It was actually built on top of an underground parking garage! In 1969, a special fountain with a single spout was added to the center of the park. The city's visitor center, which was built in 1960, reopened in 2006 as The Fairmount Park Welcome Center.
Naming the Park
The park was officially named John F. Kennedy Plaza in 1967. This was done to honor President John F. Kennedy. A special plaque at the park tells about this dedication.
The Famous LOVE Sculpture
The well-known LOVE sculpture, created by Robert Indiana, first came to the park in 1976. It was part of the United States Bicentennial celebration. After the celebration ended, the sculpture was taken away in 1978. However, Fitz Eugene Dixon Jr., who was in charge of the Philadelphia Art Commission, bought the sculpture. He made sure it was placed back in the park permanently that same year.
Modern Changes to the Park
From 2016 to 2018, LOVE Park went through a big redesign. Before, it had a lot of hard surfaces like pavement. Now, it has more green spaces, including large and small grassy areas. There are also two gardens with plants native to the area. The new design offers clear views of City Hall and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. New places to sit, new paths, and public restrooms were also added. The fountain was also redesigned. It now has a huge main water jet and many smaller jets that can be lit up at night.
