Mifflin Square Park Reimagined: Community Hub Updated with Help from Trust for Public Land, SEAMAAC

Trust for Public Land (TPL), in partnership with SEAMAAC (Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Associations Coalition), is thrilled to announce the opening of Phase 1 of Mifflin Square Park, a vibrant space whose redesign is driven by community members and strong resident participation.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on November 20 at 9:30am, where local leaders, residents, and supporters will celebrate the transformation of this beloved neighborhood park into a flourishing hub for recreation, connection, and well-being.

Mifflin Square Park, a 3.5-acre park with a long-standing history in the neighborhood, has been reimagined through extensive community collaboration to better reflect the needs and aspirations of South Philadelphia's multicultural residents. The renovation, driven by partnerships between TPL, SEAMAAC, local organizations, and community members, focused on creating a welcoming, accessible environment with amenities that foster inclusivity, safety, and a sense of pride among all residents.

"For decades, Mifflin Square has been a place where Philadelphia's immigrant and refugee families gather and celebrate their shared community," said Owen Franklin, Vice President of the Great Lakes Region for Trust for Public Land. "Parks are vital to the health of our communities and working together with SEAMAAC and local leaders to revitalize this park has been a powerful reminder of what's possible when we build spaces that foster inclusivity, joy, and connection."

A Community-Centered Design

Through a series of community workshops and design sessions, local residents were directly involved in shaping the features of the park to better meet their needs.

The park's renovations include new playground equipment, picnic areas, enhanced lighting, and landscaping improvements that highlight the park's natural beauty while promoting safety and visibility. These upgrades also offer spaces for sports, relaxation, and community gatherings, which are essential to creating a sense of unity and belonging within Mifflin Square's community.

"Surrounded by one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Philadelphia, Mifflin Square Park serves families from more than 77 countries of origin, speaking 55 languages, SEAMAAC is proud to be part of the team that is making the collected vision of this community into reality," said Thoai Nguyen, CEO of SEAMAAC.

Creating Lasting Impact

Mifflin Square Park now stands as a model of what can be achieved through partnership and community-led development, embodying the spirit of collaboration and resilience that defines Philadelphia's neighborhoods.

This transformation of Mifflin Square Park would not have been possible without the generous support from The William Penn Foundation, the City of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program of the National Park Service. Numerous community leaders and residents provided feedback, inspiration, and guidance throughout the planning and design phases.

"We are excited to see the first phase of Mifflin Square Park's renovation completed thanks to the tireless efforts of many community partners," said Stuart Clarke, Environment and Public Space Program Director, William Penn Foundation. "To the Foundation, support for this project is about more than just renovating a park; it's an investment in the health and wellbeing of neighborhoods. All Philadelphians deserve to have a safe, welcoming, and environmentally resilient public space in their neighborhood. We're proud to be a part of making that a reality in South Philadelphia."

About Trust for Public Land

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,420 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $110 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 9.7 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.