Girard Fountain Park is a 0.15-acre pocket park in the Old City neighborhood at 325 Arch Street. Fourth Street Garden runs along the western edge of the Fourth & Arch Streets firehouse.

Girard Fountain Park a.k.a. Firehouse Park & Grounds is a truly successful Old City Green (OCG) venture. Two of the current OCG board members, who remain very much involved today, independently launched this project in 2006 with the goal of restoring the garden area surrounding the firehouse and improving the park facilities such that it could, once again, be open to the public.

The park and fountain, originally dedicated in 1976, had fallen into disrepair and, consequently, long locked to the public. The garden area along the Fourth Street edge of the firehouse had also suffered neglect and was past due for restoration.

The work first done to the garden area along the Fourth Street edge of the firehouse netted the confidence of the Fire Department Commissioner to grant the volunteers permission to attempt the restoration of the park and fountain. That work started in earnest in late 2006 and by spring of 2007, the park area was deemed adequately improved and safe for public use. Restoration work continued and the fountain was restored to operational condition in 2008.

Still, there were many, many improvements pending and work has been ongoing through the past eighteen years that the original volunteers, and now OCG volunteers, have continued to both improve and maintain all the grounds surrounding the firehouse.

As with all OCG projects, the initial project goal and build out is only the beginning: ongoing daily maintenance is the key to success in public space management.

Girard Fountain Park & Garden Major Improvements Timeline

2023-2024

Fountain Infrastructure Improvements - In the off-season between 2023 and 2024, Old City Green funded and managed the complete fountain pump system upgrade: replacement of the fountain pump, motor, plumbing connections, and electrical sub panel, replacing the original hardware installed in 1976.

2023

Fourth Street Garden Improvements - In 2023, Old City Green designed, funded, fabricated and installed five new benches at the Fourth Street garden area and replaced two overgrown shrubs with more appropriately scaled plant material.

2020

Arch Street Sidewalk Benches - In 2020, Old City Green procured and installed four new benches along the Arch Street edge of the firehouse grounds, providing the public opportunities to sit and enjoy a respite while visiting the historic district.

2019

Mural Installed - In 2019, a mural, depicting the history of organized firefighting in Philadelphia and the founding of the Philadelphia Fire Department and subsequent supporting organizations, was installed on the east wall of the park. The mural, designed by Eric Okdeh, was a partnership project of Mural Arts Philadlephia, the Philadlephia Fire Department, the PFD Family Association, and Wawa.

2019

Redesign of the Park Garden - In 2019, Old City Green proposed, funded, and executed a redesign of the north section of the park, including: expanding the garden perimeter, installing a custom central raised-planter feature, three new bench locations, replaced the lawn with a deep-bed crushed brick surface, and new supplemental lighting.

2016

Replacement of all Furniture and Seating Area Surface - In 2016, with principal financial assistance provided by Old City District, Old City Green replaced all the aging park furniture and seating area pavers, upgraded the fountain filtration and chlorination systems, lowered the walls bordering the entrance, and removed the original gates to present a more welcoming appearance.

2007-2008

Restoration of the Fountain - The work began in June 2007 and the fountain was restored to operation in August of 2008.[2] The Philadelphia Fire Department formally returned the fountain to service in a Nov. 1 ceremony.[10] Kalter and Schiavo, now incorporated as Old City Green, have continued to propose and execute minor and major improvement projects for all the public space surrounding the firehouse.

2007

Keys To Community Installed - James Peniston was commissioned to sculpt a bust of Franklin in bronze and covered it with casts of 1,000 keys collected from local schoolchildren. Titled Keys To Community, the one-ton sculpture alloy also contains several brass nameplates representing Philadelphia firefighters fallen in the line of duty over four centuries. The sculpture was partially funded by the Philadlephia Fire Department and by more than 1.5 million pennies donated by schoolchildren in 500 area schools. It was unveiled and dedicated on October 5, 2007.

2006

Fire Department Commissioner Ayers grants the original volunteers, Kalter and Schiavo, permission to attempt the restoration of the park and fountain. That work started in earnest in late 2006 and by spring of 2007, the park area was deemed adequately improved and safe for public use.