Schuylkill Banks attracts over one million users a year. At the edge of Center City, the land between the railroad tracks and river was too narrow to continue the Schuylkill River Trail, so a 2,000’ long concrete boardwalk was constructed in the river. A 460’ long ramp now links the boardwalk to the South Street Bridge and city grid. The walkway features solar powered lighting, overlooks, seating and trellises, with unprecedented views of the river and city. The structure also accommodates emergency and maintenance vehicles.

URS
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Schuylkill River Development Corporation

2014

The first totally new park built in Philadelphia in over 20 years, Hawthorne Park fulfills a long-promised commitment to create a versatile neighborhood amenity. The park’s sustainable and visually dynamic design features topographic changes to create distinct use areas, a raised performance space, a multi-purpose open lawn, new trees and tough low-maintenance plants, a high-efficiency irrigation system and permeable paving with planting areas that disconnect the park from the City’s aging stormwater system.

Ground Reconsidered
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
PA Horticultural Society

2012

[Green2015: An Action Plan for the First 500 Acres]

The stately Rodin Museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway contains the second largest collection of the works of Auguste Rodin in the world. Opened in 1929 and designed by architect Paul Cret and landscape architect Jacques Greber, the garden and surrounding park were redesigned by OLIN as part of the Parkway’s public realm improvements. The new design enhances the original vision while focusing on the relationship of the museum to the Parkway.

OLIN
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Philadelphia Museum of Art

2011

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 16th Street and Eakins Oval is now more visitor friendly thanks to pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular circulation improvements. New curb extensions decease pedestrian crossing distances. A widened central median was created through strategic parking and traffic lane configurations. Cyclists can enjoy clearly marked bike lanes. New granite curbs, brick details, exposed concrete paving and furnishings were based on The Benjamin Franklin Parkway Design Guidelines for Public Environs. 

Cope Linder Associates
Ground Reconsidered
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
PennDOT

2010-2017

As part of Green2015, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is working with non-profit and community partners to improve neighborhood parks, schoolyards and recreation centers. Using robust engagement, unique designs, high-quality materials and innovative storm water management, sites are receiving new play features and safety surfaces, upgraded spray parks and new site furnishings. Paved areas are being replaced with plants to manage stormwater, enhance aesthetics and improve air quality. The improvements are intended to foster greater use and stewardship.

Sikora Wells Appel
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
PA Horticultural Society
The Trust for Public Land

2014-Present

[Green2015: An Action Plan for the First 500 Acres]

More Park, Less Way recommends a series of actions to shape evolution of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Through a comprehensive civic engagement process, the plan recommends designing high-quality urban parks on overlooked parkland, reconsidering how the community accesses the Parkway, programming the Parkway’s public space in creative and consistent ways, and developing a structure for ongoing management of the Parkway as a special district within the city. 
[Download More Park, Less Way Plan]

PennPraxis, School of Design, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

2013

The New Fairmount Park draws from voices of more than 1,000 Philadelphians. Stretching over 2,050 verdant acres along the Schuylkill River, the plan addresses central questions. How might the park be reinvigorated for the 21st century? How can we ensure its viability for the next 150 years? What investments are required to bolster its uses and enable more people to use the park? What role can the park play in meeting the sustainability goals of the City of Philadelphia?
[Download The New Fairmount Park Plan]

PennPraxis, School of Design, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Fairmount Park Conservancy

2014

Green2015 seeks to unite city government and neighborhood residents to transform empty or underused land in Philadelphia into parks for neighbors to enjoy. The plan results from a thoughtful approach to identifying 500 acres. Turning land into new parks helps remove blight, provides children and families with safe places to play, reduces flooding and raises property values. Connecting Philadelphians to parks is the path to a healthier and more competitive city. 
[Download Green2015 Plan]

PennPraxis, School of Design, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

2013

Mark A. Focht, PLA FASLA, is a licensed landscape architect with over 30 years experience in the private, public, non-profit and academic areas of practice. Mark has the unusual distinction of planning, designing and administering parks, which gives him a first-hand understanding of their challenges and opportunities. Mark served as First Deputy Commissioner of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, with responsibility for over 10,000 acres of parks, playgrounds, swimming pools and. recreation centers.

Mark also served as Director of Capital Projects for the Center City District, a private sector BID (business improvement district) in Philadelphia. Additionally, Mark has over ten years experience with two multi-disciplinary design firms and was an adjunct professor in Temple University’s Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture.

Mark holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in landscape architecture from Pennsylvania State University and the University of Massachusetts, respectively. He has been honored by his alma maters as well as the American Society of Landscape Architects, for which he recently served as president.

[Download a complete CV here]