About the Project

The Old City District (OCD), in partnership with the Elfreth’s Alley Association and with support from the Old City Community Fund (OCCF), is leading the effort to create Dolly Ottey Park, a re-imagined public space located at Elfreth’s Alley and N. 2^nd Street. This interim project will transform an underused parcel into an aesthetically pleasing space by adding planters, trees, and crushed stones, in advance of a permanent project to follow. The project will:

Create a passive public space for residents and visitors, especially as the neighborhood prepares for 2026 celebrations.
Enhance the streetscape and complement ongoing neighborhood improvements.
Honor the legacy of Dolly Ottey, a leader in the preservation efforts of Elfreth’s Alley in the 1930s and a resident of the Alley herself.

Why It Matters

Old City has one of the highest densities of residents and visitors in Philadelphia, but some of the smallest amounts of public space outside of the National Park. Every year, more than 380,000 people from across the globe visit Elfreth’s Alley, which is the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the United States. The Elfreth’s Alley Association anticipates that 2026 will draw its largest crowds ever.

Dolly Ottey Park is a vital part of any visit to Elfreth’s Alley because it provides an opportunity for education and reflection to visitors, while also creating a community space for Old City residents and stakeholders. Dolly Ottey Park will:

Create a much-needed neighborhood green space that offers residents and visitors a usable, inviting place to gather and strengthens the sense of community in the vicinity of Elfreth’s Alley.
Provide an attractive and welcoming entrance that complements and enhances the Alley’s historic character.
Offer flexible space for historic programming and community events that connect directly to Elfreth's Alley and the entire neighborhood.

Why Now

With the nation’s Semiquincentennial quickly approaching in 2026, millions of people will gather in Old City to celebrate America’s 250^th anniversary. The Old City District, Elfreth’s Alley Association and the Old City Community Fund see an urgent need to transform this underused parcel, next to one of Philadelphia’s most iconic historic sites, into an attractive and functional public space.

This temporary park design activates the site now and allows stakeholders to gather valuable insights and community feedback that will shape the permanent project ahead.

Project Timing

The goal is to raise sufficient funds to allow construction to begin in February and achieve completion in March.

Our Goal

The goal is to raise $60,000 to fund installation, landscaping, and infrastructure improvements. Your support will help bring this green space to life.

All donations to the Old City Community Fund are tax deductible. The official registration and financial information of the Old City Community Fund may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State 18 by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1 (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.