Friends of Fitler Square Park

Friends of Fitler Square Park* preserves, protects, and beautifies Fitler Square Park, leading all efforts for major improvements to and continual maintenance of the park. *Formerly Fitler Square Park Association (FSIA)*

Incorporated in 1962, the group grew out of the efforts of many individual residents in the area working independently to improve the neighborhood park.

The founder of FSIA, Marie Wilson, tirelessly took on the responsibility for the major overhaul that was needed. New walkways replaced the cracked – and in many areas missing – cement. Trees and sod suddenly appeared where only bare earth had existed. Shrubs and flowers bloomed in beds that had formerly been home to broken bottles and accumulated trash. And the park began to change into a pleasant oasis where residents could enjoy a unique garden area in the heart of an urban neighborhood.

Fitler Square Park is maintained as a public private partnership between the Friends of Fitler Square Park and the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation.

Fitler Square Neighborhood

Fitler Square is named after Edwin H. Fitler, a well-regarded 19th-century mayor of Philadelphia. The Square was dedicated to his memory shortly after his death in 1896.

Among his many accomplishments, Edwin H. Fitler was the Republican Presidential elector for Pennsylvania in 1876, vice-president of the Manufacturer’s Club (then located at 1407 Walnut Street) an active member of the Philadelphia Club (then located at 1301 Walnut Street), and an active member of the Art Club of Philadelphia (then located at 222 South Broad Street).

Descendants of Edwin H. Fitler continue to remain involved with and add their support to the efforts to maintain and improve the Square. Learn more about the Fitler Square neighborhood.