News

Construction on Shoemaker Green, an $8.5 million open space project off 33rd Street between Franklin Field and the Palestra that connects the central campus to the University's new Penn Park on the eastern side, is complete. The 2.75-acre site was the former home to a tennis court complex, which has been relocated to Penn Park.

Sustainable design aspects highlight the project, created by the landscape architectural firm of Andropogon Associates of Philadelphia. A rain garden, porous pavers, a cistern for rainwater reuse, and other green elements support Penn’s Climate Action Plan, which calls for increasing campus green space and improving storm-water management for the campus and the city.

Shoemaker Green was chosen as one of more than 150 pilot projects around the globe to test a new Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) rating system for landscapes, anticipated to be analogous to the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Green Building ratings.

As a new public commons area, the open lawn area is designed to accommodate large groups for special events, as well as cater to smaller audiences like an outdoor class or individuals for a lunchtime respite.  If you are interested in reserving Shoemaker Green for an event, please read our policies and fill out the reservation form located here.