LOVE Park, Philadelphia

LOVE Park, Philadelphia

LOVE Park, officially named John F. Kennedy Plaza, is a notable public park in Center City, Philadelphia. It is renowned for its reproduction of Robert Indiana's LOVE sculpture, which has become an iconic feature overlooking the plaza. The park's nickname, "LOVE Park," is derived from this sculpture.

The park's design was the brainchild of former Philadelphia city planner Edmund Bacon and architect Vincent G. Kling. It was established in 1965, covering an underground parking garage. The park's central attraction is a single-spout fountain, added in 1969, which quickly became its main feature.

Located directly across from the Philadelphia City Hall, LOVE Park serves as a visual terminus for the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. It was dedicated in 1967 as John F. Kennedy Plaza, and a plaque within the park commemorates this dedication.

LOVE Park is also significant in the skateboarding community. For many years, it was a popular skateboarding spot, contributing to its cultural significance.

The famous "LOVE" sculpture by Robert Indiana first graced the plaza in 1976 as part of the United States Bicentennial celebration. Initially, the sculpture was temporary and removed in 1978. However, thanks to the efforts of Fitz Eugene Dixon Jr., chairman of the Philadelphia Art Commission, the sculpture was purchased and permanently installed in the park that same year.

From 2016 to 2018, LOVE Park underwent a major makeover, turning the concrete-heavy plaza into a greener and friendlier space. The project added lawns, gardens, stormwater basins with diverse plants, new café areas, and recreational spaces, all while preserving the view of City Hall and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This transformation reflects modern urban park design trends, marking a new era for the park.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Philadelphia. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

LOVE Park on Map

Sight Name: LOVE Park
Sight Location: Philadelphia, USA (See walking tours in Philadelphia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Create Your Own Walk in Philadelphia

Create Your Own Walk in Philadelphia

Creating your own self-guided walk in Philadelphia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Fairmount Park Historical Houses Walking Tour

Fairmount Park Historical Houses Walking Tour

Fairmount Park, Philadelphia's oldest park, established since 1867, is also the city's largest municipal park, sprawling over 2,000 acres adjacent to the banks of the Schuylkill River. The park grew out of the Lemon Hill estate of Henry Pratt, whose land was originally owned by Robert Morris, signer of the Declaration of Independence.

In 1972, the park was placed on the National...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Philadelphia Old City Walking Tour

Philadelphia Old City Walking Tour

King Charles II of England owed a lot of money to Admiral Sir William Penn. He paid in 1681 by signing over lands in America to the Admiral's son, William Penn. Young William, a Quaker and a thorn in the side of the King, became landlord of present-day Pennsylvania and Delaware. William sailed up Delaware, laid out a grid, and founded Philadelphia.

The streets of the grid run east and west...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Philadelphia Introduction Walking Tour

Philadelphia Introduction Walking Tour

The sixth largest city in the United States and the largest in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is a dynamic city heaped with old-world charm and contemporary infrastructure. Notable for its rich history, primarily as the birthplace of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Often called Philly, Philadelphia is also known as the City of Brotherly Love – a...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Rocky Movie Sites Walking Tour

Rocky Movie Sites Walking Tour

There's hardly any other character, fictional or real, as iconically Philadelphian as Rocky. Indeed, this American sports drama franchise, centered on the boxing career of Rocky Balboa, released in 1976, has become synonymous with and arguably done more for the city of Philadelphia than anyone else since Ben Franklin.

The cultural phenomenon was created by Sylvester Stallone, who wrote,...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.3 Km or 3.9 Miles
Franklin Parkway Walking Tour

Franklin Parkway Walking Tour

Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a scenic boulevard running through the cultural heart of Philadelphia. Named for America's Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, this mile-long tree-lined parkway is lined with several notable sights and world-class museums.

At its heart lies Logan Circle, a charming green space centered around a picturesque fountain. This spot can provide a refreshing break on...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia

Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia

One of the most fascinating personalities in Revolutionary America, Benjamin Franklin, while still a teenager, left his Puritan family in Boston for Philadelphia to start a new life. Indeed, his life turned out to be quite remarkable. Franklin was a writer, a printer, a philosopher, a postmaster, a scientist, an inventor, a statesman, and a diplomat – the absolute purist version of the American...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Philadelphia Souvenirs: 13 Unique Gift Ideas from the City of Brotherly Love

Philadelphia Souvenirs: 13 Unique Gift Ideas from the City of Brotherly Love

Looking for a great gift while visiting Philadelphia? Famous for its history, arts and culture, championship sports teams, and award-winning food and drink, Philadelphia is a top-rated shopping destination. Here, you'll find an amazing selection of items to choose from - something uniquely...