Center City District (CCD) dedicated the newest addition to the Sister Cities Park World Fountain, recognizing Frankfurt am Main, Germany, as Philadelphia’s newest Sister City, at Sister Cities Park, 18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Sister Cities Park was renovated by the CCD in 2012 and the World Fountain, a favorite with children, was created at that time, when Philadelphia had 10 Sister Cities.
On July 16, 2015, the City of Philadelphia signed a Sister City Agreement with Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Philadelphia is now officially linked with 11 Sister Cities. The Sister Cities Program is directed by Citizen Diplomacy International Philadelphia. Through the generous support of Johnson, Kendall & Johnson; PWC; and John and Gina Moore, the CCD was able to enhance the Sister Cities Fountain, which offers a unique representation of the world with Philadelphia at its center. The fountain now has 11 geyser-like spouts, each positioned to note the distance from Philadelphia of the partnership city. A delegation of officials from Frankfurt am Main, including the city’s Mayor Peter Feldmann, attended the ceremony.
Speaking at the dedication ceremony was Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney; Frankfurt am Main Mayor Peter Feldmann; Councilman Al Taubenberger; Philanthropist John Moore; Nancy A. Goldenberg, Executive Director, Center City District Foundation; and Paul R. Levy, President and CEO, CCD. The Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus offered a musical presentation.
In addition to Frankfurt am Main, Philadelphia’s other Sister Cities are Abruzzo, Italy; Aix-en-Provence, France; Douala, Cameroon; Florence, Italy; Incheon, Korea; Kobe, Japan; Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; Tel Aviv, Israel; Tianjin, China; and Torun, Poland.
