The Discovery Center
Revealing and restoring a hidden urban oasis.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Client: Outward Bound Philadelphia / Audubon Mid-Atlantic
Size: 3.5 acres
Project status: Construction complete 2018
Project team: Ground Reconsidered, DIGSAU (Project Prime), Aegis Property Group, CVM, Duffield Associates, Hillworks: Landscape + Architecture, Urban Technology, Inc., Entre-prises USA
The Discovery Center is within a world-class education and research facility in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park. The landscape design reflects the site’s unique successional ecology as it has become an important stopping point for migrating birds since the reservoir was closed to the public in the 1970s. The arrival sequence commences with the path from the Strawberry Mansion Neighborhood to the top of the reservoir. There, the Discovery Center frames the first expansive view of the secluded lake. Ground Reconsidered developed a plant palette to increase ecological functionality. This includes multiple types of milkweed, the sole food source for monarch caterpillars, selected for the site in efforts to restore their habitat and ultimately increase their population. A mixture of coir logs and compost socks filled with native seed mix and planted with native plugs help stabilize the slope into the water, while providing additional education opportunities. The site design accommodates the expansive programming requirements, providing visitor and fleet parking, bike parking, Outward Bound storage and pack-out areas, an exploration trail, a challenge course, bird blinds and an outdoor classroom, while considering the need for secured access around the perimeter.
The project was recognized with a 2020 Honor Award in General Design from the Pennsylvania-Delaware ASLA chapter, as well as a 2021 ULI Award for Excellence.
