Philadelphia

A Chance Encounter
This is a tale of frustration followed by great joy. On my way home from the Atlantic City Pool & Spa Show last month, I paused in Philadelphia to spend three days visiting with two of my daughters. Beyond catching up with them, I had a mission: I wanted to see the remodeled fountain in Franklin Square. It was under construction the last time I visited, and my understanding is that it is now
2020/2.2, February 19 — Natural Persuasion, Working Wisdom, History’s Neighborhood and more
THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS February 19, 2020 www.watershapes.com FEATURE ARTICLE…
Roundabout Ingenuity
My recent time in Philadelphia was actually a return after a long break: When my brother lived there in the 1970s and '80s, I would frequently extend business trips when I was in the area to spend time with him in what became one of my favorite cities. I haven't done much more than pass through since he moved away, but my daughter lives there now and has given me a great reason to renew my acquaintance with the place. Among the coolest things
2018/4.2, April 18 — Rapid Results, Street-Level Beauty, Fountain Grandeur and more
THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS April 18, 2018 www.watershapes.com FEATURE ARTICLE…
2017/2.1, February 8 — Mosaic Artistry, Pond-Size Wisdom, Plaster Pigments and more
THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS February 8, 2017 www.watershapes.com FEATURE ARTICLE…
2012/9.2, September 19 — Cima del Mundo, Pond Revisions, Dancing Water Wall and more
  SEPTEMBER 19,  2012 www.watershapes.com ESSENTIAL A Classic Crescendo   For the best part of…
Encircled Perfection
As I’ve mentioned before in these Travelogues, I have strong ties to Pennsylvania and have spent a considerable amount of time exploring all it has to offer visitors, from the basic touristy stuff to some wonderfully off-the-beaten-path sorts of experiences.   My brother Tom lived in Philadelphia through most of the 1980s, and both work and pleasure led me to visit him on so many occasions that I came to know the city quite well.  The waterfront is amazing, and so is the historic district 
Historic Treatments
Local historians claim that the image of Philadelphia's Fairmount Water Works was the most reproduced of any industrial site in the United States through the first half of the 19th Century - and for good reason.  At that time, the facility represented the absolute state of the art and served as a major point of pride for local residents as well as a source of fascination to visitors from near and far.     Throughout its long history, the facility was indeed at the leading edge of water-delivery technology and is now the ideal place to capture and tell the story of the development of environmentalism in the 19th and 20th centuries. The story begins