by Navy Yard
June 30, 2020

Five years ago today, we celebrated the grand opening of Central Green. Half a decade later, Central Green has become a treasured space for many in Philadelphia – from its design, amenities, programming, and awards, you can’t help but fall in love with Central Green.

Here are five facts you may not know about Central Green.

1. It was designed by James Corner Field Operations.

From the designers of NYC’s High Line and Philly’s beloved Race Street Pier, James Corner Field Operations designed Central Green as a 5-acre park in the heart the Corporate Center in Navy Yard Philadelphia

 

2. The park is rich with a lush & diverse landscaping that supports stormwater management

Historically marked by wetlands, meadows, and bird habitat, Central Green has grown into Philadelphia’s most innovative and progressive neighborhood. The design unites the cutting-edge urban potential with its native habitat, resulting in a new type of environment that is sustainable, green, and natural.

3. Central Green is packed with physical activities & social features

  A 1/5 mile Social Track organizes the park’s circulation and frames a unique, immersive interior park featuring flowering meadows, a hammock grove, an outdoor amphitheater, bocce courts, and fitness stations. To complement these features, the park offers free Wi-Fi for when you want to take the office outdoors!

4. Central Green has received prestigious awards!

Since its completion, honors for excellence in design and development were received from ArchDaily, Architizer, and ULI Philadelphia.

• Urban Land Institute Philadelphia’s third annual Awards for Excellence (honoring the legacy of Willard G. “Bill” Rouse III) recognizes top projects completed within the last five years throughout Eastern and Central Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware. Central Green received one of the sought-after 2016 ULI Philadelphia Awards for Excellence by demonstrating quality planning and design, incorporating elements that build healthy places, promoting environmental sustainability, and meeting community needs.

• ArchDaily, which included Central Green in its “100 Top Projects” list. This list in the “American Architecture Projects” category highlights “the 100 most visited works of architecture in the US, turning them into case studies and references for millions of architects, students and journalists that seek the most important, inspiring works of American architecture”.
• Architizer, which conducted its fourth annual A+ Awards. These were grouped into 113 categories and voted on both by a select panel and more than 400,000 members of the public. Central Green was recognized as the Popular Choice Winner: Landscaping & Public Planning – Public Park.

5. Central Green is home to the Annual Navy Yard 5k!

Every year, the Navy Yard puts a pause on regular operations and welcomes hundred of Navy Yard employees to come together for a lunchtime race, starting and finishing in Central Green. After the race, we celebrate in Central Green with awards, music, refreshments, and Health + Wellness Expo, where Navy Yard tenants and partners educate employees on all aspects of workplace health, wellness, nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle.

The next time you’re at the Navy Yard, visit Central Green.

While the open areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy under the Navy Yard’s normal opening schedule, a return to full operations will continue to be phased, and services are limited (including restroom access, and no hammocks, and table tennis and bocce equipment).

Even though Philadelphia is currently in the yellow phase, we are still Safer at Home. On Friday, June 26, the Navy Yard will extend its hours and be open to the public from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM and reopen its parks while keeping social distancing guidelines in place. This may change with limited to no notice, in response to the current COVID-19 situation and operational requirements of the Navy Yard.

The Navy Yard will strictly adhere to the City of Philadelphia’s COVID-19 Rules and Guidelines. Please review the latest details as they contain important information about Social Distancing Rules and provide detailed information for people and businesses in the City of Philadelphia.