Palumbo Park

A Neighborhood Location

Situated on Catharine Street in Bella Vista, Palumbo Park is one of those little green sanctuaries that makes Philadelphia special. This pocket park sits quietly between the Fleisher Art Memorial and the Da Vinci Art Alliance, offering a village-like setting in the heart of South Philly where neighbors connect and visitors can relax.

Fresh Face, Same Heart

In Fall 2016, Palumbo Park emerged from a thoughtful makeover led by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. The renovation brought some welcome updates: a more spacious, ADA-accessible entrance, comfortable new seating options, improved ground surfaces, and additional greenery. These changes have improved the space while maintaining its intimate character.

Natural Beauty in the City

Despite its compact size, this park contains a variety of plants. Stroll through and you'll spot Hummingbird Summersweet, delicate Christmas and Southern Wood Fern, Dwarf Fetterbush, and the always impressive Oakleaf Hydrangea.

The park's Sycamore trees have distinctive mottled bark and provide welcome shade on sunny days.

You'll discover comfortable benches well-suited for people-watching, sturdy metal picnic tables that weather the seasons, and enough trash cans to keep the park notably tidy. The Little Free Library box, adorned with artwork by local teens, adds a touch of community spirit to the space.

Art Inside and Out

The park is framed by David Guin's Summer murals from his Mural Arts Seasons Series, bringing splashes of color to the landscape. With Fleisher Art School right next door, it's not unusual to see outdoor art classes making use of this inspiring setting.

The space is sometimes used for intimate wedding ceremonies and neighborhood celebrations.

People Powered

Behind every great community space are dedicated volunteers, and Palumbo Park has the Friends of Palumbo Park to thank for its continued care. This registered community group organizes regular clean-ups, plantings, and events that bring neighbors together.

They're also the ones writing grants, raising funds, and advocating for improvements to ensure the park thrives for years to come. Their commitment shows in every corner of this well-maintained space, where everyone from morning joggers to afternoon dog walkers finds a moment of green tranquility in the city.