Philadelphia, PA--It is difficult to believe that it is once again time for the beloved Best Square Contest of Philadelphia, an event held every six years to determine the City's most favorite original park square. Though the original five squares have been reduced to three, there is much excitement and high anticipation every half dozen trips around the sun during the final weeks of May.Residents and park enthusiasts can vote by using the ballot boxes stationed conveniently in each square. If voting on-site, fill out the three page form completely, fold the 8.5"X11" paper into sixteenths and drip hot wax (candles will be provided) to make a final seal on the ballot or your vote will not be counted. The other option is to simply vote online, with three simple clicks of the mouse, or via text message.
Washington Square is the reigning champion after judges were in awe over how park officials adjusted the center fountain to shoot two feet higher--to a total height of nine feet--in 2004. "We didn't make a lot of changes to the park six years ago," said Donna Fitzsimmos, president of Good Buddies of Washington Square. "But, we thought slightly increasing the fountain height would go a long way. And it worked. Boy oh boy, did it work."
Franklin Square was given a major makeover in 2006, one year after the most recent contest ended, and hopes to make a strong showing with it's newly-added carousel, miniature golf course and outdoor eateries.
Rittenhouse, often considered the king of the original five squares, finished a disappointing third in 2005, but has captured 22 of the 47 titles awarded since the contest began in 1723.
"Let's face it," said one official who only went by the name Park Bench, "Rittenhouse is the park to beat most years."
Center Square's eligibility ended in 1871 when the site was chosen as the new home for City Hall. Center Square won several Best Square awards over the decades prior to its bowing to progress. For years, volunteer groups that help in maintaining Dilworth Plaza--on the same block and just to the west of the tallest free-standing masonry building in the world--made valiant efforts to have the small park become eligible for the contest. However, it never was approved by the Best Square Contest board.
"Yes, Dilworth Plaza is a park. And, yes, Dilworth Plaza is on the site of one of the original five squares. But, c'mon," explained Daffney Bullard, a board member of the popular contest. "It's just not ... it's ... Oh, I can't even remember what I was going to say."
Logan Circle, remade in 2005, has been disqualified every year since 1925, when it was transformed from a square to a circle, and, despite this shape, enters the contest every year.
"Contest rules require us to permit Logan Square into the competition each time around," said Bullard. "They were an original, but we use helicopters and satellite photos to confirm their circularness and, ultimately, their disqualification."
Despite the politics involved in the contest, every resident of the city and surrounding counties has a favorite square and will be waiting eagerly for the competition's results.
"This is like if Restaurant Week was held every five years," said Sarah Telford, lead organizer of the Best Square Contest 2011. "This is all I do for six years, so I'm pretty excited. It's exciting. We're all excited."
Above: Franklin Square, no kite flying.
Above: Rittenhouse Square--no longer Segway-free.
Above: Logan Circle, it's a circle, so ...
Above: Washington Square with a new, impressive fountain water height.
Cast your vote today!
Franklin Square was given a major makeover in 2006, one year after the most recent contest ended, and hopes to make a strong showing with it's newly-added carousel, miniature golf course and outdoor eateries.
Rittenhouse, often considered the king of the original five squares, finished a disappointing third in 2005, but has captured 22 of the 47 titles awarded since the contest began in 1723.
"Let's face it," said one official who only went by the name Park Bench, "Rittenhouse is the park to beat most years."
Center Square's eligibility ended in 1871 when the site was chosen as the new home for City Hall. Center Square won several Best Square awards over the decades prior to its bowing to progress. For years, volunteer groups that help in maintaining Dilworth Plaza--on the same block and just to the west of the tallest free-standing masonry building in the world--made valiant efforts to have the small park become eligible for the contest. However, it never was approved by the Best Square Contest board.
"Yes, Dilworth Plaza is a park. And, yes, Dilworth Plaza is on the site of one of the original five squares. But, c'mon," explained Daffney Bullard, a board member of the popular contest. "It's just not ... it's ... Oh, I can't even remember what I was going to say."
Logan Circle, remade in 2005, has been disqualified every year since 1925, when it was transformed from a square to a circle, and, despite this shape, enters the contest every year.
"Contest rules require us to permit Logan Square into the competition each time around," said Bullard. "They were an original, but we use helicopters and satellite photos to confirm their circularness and, ultimately, their disqualification."
Despite the politics involved in the contest, every resident of the city and surrounding counties has a favorite square and will be waiting eagerly for the competition's results.
"This is like if Restaurant Week was held every five years," said Sarah Telford, lead organizer of the Best Square Contest 2011. "This is all I do for six years, so I'm pretty excited. It's exciting. We're all excited."
Above: Franklin Square, no kite flying.
Above: Rittenhouse Square--no longer Segway-free.
Above: Logan Circle, it's a circle, so ...
Above: Washington Square with a new, impressive fountain water height.Cast your vote today!
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