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It's here. The much-anticipated opening of Penn Park — the centerpiece of Penn Connects­ — is scheduled for next week with a Grand Opening Picnic on Thursday, September 15 hosted by Penn President Amy Gutmann and Trustee Chair David L. Cohen. (Images courtesy the University of Pennsylvania)

If you’ve passed over the Walnut or South Street bridges recently, you’re bound to have noticed a brand new green space coming to life on the west side of the Schuylkill River.

It’s Penn Park, a brand new 24-acre park and green space on the eastern edge of Penn’s campus.

What was once a desolate strip of asphalt, concrete, and parking lots has been converted into an environmentally sustainable park that will help connect the University of Pennsylvania with the city.

Stretching along the West Bank of the Schuylkill, the 24 acres of Penn Park is composed of footpaths, picnic spots, playing fields, tennis courts, sunny lawns and shady groves. Formal and informal athletic areas are framed and subdivided by beautiful canopy trees and recreation areas.

There are two acres of open spaces not specified for athletic use including Highline Green, a grassy area along the elevated rail line, South Lawn, and the Picnic Grove.

Three footbridges, including one at 30th and Walnut, provide access to the site. With the city skyline as a grand backdrop, pedestrians will have access to walkways and inviting green space along the river.

The University of Pennsylvania is building the park as part of its plans to better connect the eastern edge of its campus with Center City. The park will bring a whopping 20% more green space to the university’s already green urban campus.

Some cool numbers: Penn Park is projected annually to collect an average of 2,000,000 gallons of storm water a year in its underground cisterns to be reused; it will save 300,000 watts of energy per hour through a state-of-the-art green lighting system; and it contains 250,000 square feet of synthetic athletic fields, 250,000 square feet of sod, and 157,000 square feet of meadow grass.

And it’s all set to officially open with a grand opening celebration next Thursday, September 15.

The event, 5-7:30 p.m., is to include picnic food, live entertainment, club sports field activities and — what no grand opening is complete without — fireworks.

Also mark your calendar for a special Field Day event at Penn Park, Saturday, September 17 from 4-6 p.m.: sport team clinics, tug of war, human chess, inflatable games and refreshments with a Penn Football game at 6 p.m. and more fireworks to follow the game.

We can’t wait for the debut of this latest green venture, a coup for both Penn and Philadelphia at large.

Penn Park Grand Opening Weekend
When: September 15 & 17; fireworks around 7:30 p.m. on September 15
Where: Penn Park, 31st between Walnut and South Streets
Cost: Free
More info: www.upenn.edu

Previously: Coming Attraction: Penn Park, A Beautiful New 24-Acre Green Space Coming To University City This Fall With Bike Trails, Walkways, Native Trees, Gorgeous Skyline Views And More

A few more park images, including a map, below.

A rendering of the entrance to Penn Park from the north along Walnut Street. (Image courtesy the University of Pennsylvania)

Penn Park is 24 acres of continuous open space that includes athletic and recreational facilities; This new sustainable park, bordered on the north by Walnut Street, the east by Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor rail line, the west by SEPTA’s Regional rail line, and to the south by South Street, is connected to 10 acres of pre-existing Penn athletic facilities. (Image courtesy the University of Pennsylvania)