Pollinator Pathway
Center City West Philadelphia
Courtesy of the PHLCVB
Center City West encompasses the heart of Philadelphia’s business district as well as densely populated residential neighborhoods. Our pathway is a green patchwork of native plants that support and nourish birds, bees, butterflies and insects by providing nectar and pollen. Pollinators are in decline because of fragmented habitat and the use of nonnative plantings. Including native plantings on roof decks, in flower boxes, public parks and street trees are vital to pollinator survival.
Plant native. Together we can all make a difference.
Reach out to ccwpollinator@gmail.com for more information
Photo Credit: Karen Wolffe
Photo Credit: Karen Wolffe
Photo Credit: Karen Wolffe
Rittenhouse Square
1800 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19103
Rittenhouse Square, the fourth oldest park in the U.S., was planned in 1682 by William Penn and has served continuously as an urban retreat and third space since that time. Its shady green lawns and many benches are popular lunch-time destinations for residents and workers in Center City Philadelphia. Last summer, the Square committed space for beds of colorful native plants designed to attract and support pollinators. Favorites include Rudbeckia, Asclepia, and Echinacea.
Photo Credit: Loretta Dunn
Photo Credit: Loretta Dunn
Photo Credit: Loretta Dunn
Schuylkill River Park
300 S. 25th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
The Schuylkill River Park is the largest green space in Center City West and serves a wide variety of active and passive recreational needs. The park includes basketball courts, a playground, recreation center, community garden, tennis courts and outdoor pool. It also is a newly certified Level 1 Arboretum with over 50 different species of trees. The latest green addition is a large native perennial garden that hosted an enthusiastic array of pollinators in 2024, its first season. Mountain mint, asters, goldenrod and coneflowers were special favorites.
Email ccwpollinator@gmail.com for more information
Native Plant Resources
Bartram’s Garden - https://www.bartramsgarden.org/
Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education - https://schuylkillcenter.org/
LandHealth Institute - https://www.landhealthinstitute.org/overview
Germantown Kitchen Garden - https://www.germantownkitchengarden.com/plant-nursery