WHAT:

A groundbreaking at the University of Pennsylvania for its 24-acre, $46 million Penn Park that features pedestrian walks, three athletic fields and a 12-court outdoor tennis facility and will bring 20 percent more open space to the campus.

The park is made up of 14 acres of land Penn purchased from the U.S. Postal Service in 2007 as well as 10 acres the University already owned around South Street.

WHO:

Penn President Amy Gutmann, outgoing Board of Trustees Chairman James Riepe, incoming Trustees Chairman David Cohen and other dignitaries will offer brief remarks.

WHEN:

1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 6

WHERE:

The parcel is located south of Walnut Street, with Amtrak rail lines to the east and the SEPTA rail corridor to the west. Entrance for the event is from Chestnut Street, turning right onto 31st Street, another right onto Walnut Street, lower level, then left on to the access road to the event site.

DETAILS:

The project, designed by a team led by landscape-architecture firm Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates of Cambridge, Mass., features:

· Sculptural landforms, planted with a variety of trees and native grasses, defining the playing fields and supporting the pedestrian walkways.

· A storm-water management system will capture and divert rainwater into underground cells to supply the site’s irrigation system.

· With completion scheduled by 2011, Penn Park is the centerpiece of Penn Connects, the University’s 30-year master plan.

· Additional information about Penn Park and Penn Connects is available at www.pennconnects.upenn.edu.

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