In the past decade, Schuylkill Center has expanded its programs and educational offerings. It is home to an established nature-based preschool, regularly continuing education seminars, and classes as well as large-scale public events and festivals.

As the Center grows more ambitious in its reach and programming scope, competition for space has also increased, revealing that some parts of the campus become easily congested, and aren’t well-designed to host multiple groups graciously, despite ample space. Meanwhile, other important ecological and historical assets such as Brolo Farm, the former Urban Farm, and Weil House lay fallow, lacking a clear vision for their future. In addition, the Center could be better connected to both its neighbors and to itself. Missed path connections, steep or overgrown trails, spotty signage, and minimal ADA accessible walking surfaces all limit access to some of the Center’s most magical spots.

The new masterplan responds to the increased need for strategic and thoughtful spatial organization of its most well-used parts, better trail system legibility, increased connection to the surrounding neighborhood, and a programming vision for some of the Center’s most under-used yet important assets. The plan builds on previous planning efforts, elaborating on some of the ideas that continue to have traction, while also threading new directions and emphasis that respond to today’s challenges.