Last week the University announced that Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates will design Penn Park, the 24-acre park and athletic facility that will run along 31st Street between Walnut and South streets.
The park is being partially built on the 14 acres of the postal lands the University purchased last year.
Valkenburgh is an award-winning design firm with experience in recreational spaces for higher education institutions.
The park is considered the crown jewel for Penn Connects, the University's initiative to integrate itself with Center City.
"It is the symbolic heart of the Penn Connects plan, and its network of green spaces, pocket parks and recreation and athletics facilities will benefit both the campus and the city," said Penn President Amy Gutmann said in a press release.
The park will bolster Penn's athletics department by adding a softball stadium, tennis center, and sprint turf fields.
"Penn Park will become a gathering place for students, athletes, and community members in an environmentally sustainable and vibrant atmosphere," Gutmann added.
University officials say they hope the project will be completed by 2010. The first phase of the project is estimated to cost $36 million.
