Schauffele Plaza in Ardmore undergoes renovation, benefiting from tactical urbanism strategies.

In recent months, a collaborative effort has transformed Schauffele Plaza in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, from an unremarkable concrete slab into a vibrant community space. Spearheaded by the Friends of Schauffele Plaza, a community advocacy group, this initiative has successfully modified the previously mundane square into a lively gathering area, featuring a striking mural inspired by migratory birds, inviting benches, tables, and an array of native plants.

The redevelopment project, which centered on creating high-quality public spaces in the downtown area, utilized a framework known as “tactical urbanism.” This approach encourages low-cost and low-risk interventions as a means to enhance community areas while allowing for experimental projects before launching larger, more expensive initiatives.

The project was made possible through a unique collaboration of multiple community organizations, including the Lower Merion Conservancy and the Ardmore Initiative, as well as local businesses like Tired Hands Brewing Co. and Bella Italia Pizza. A pivotal ,500 grant provided by the Better Block Foundation, a Dallas-based non-profit focused on fostering vibrant neighborhoods, funded the project without resorting to taxpayer dollars.

Project leader Craig Timberlake, a resident of Ardmore, identified a strong demand for communal outdoor spaces, evidenced by the popularity of nearby Suburban Square, which attracts diverse groups of people regularly. This spring, Timberlake undertook training with the Better Block Foundation to conceptualize a tactical urbanism project and chose Schauffele Plaza as the focal point.

To gauge community desire for public amenities, Timberlake consulted local residents who expressed a strong interest in art, greenery, seating areas, farmers’ markets, and live performances. This feedback ultimately led to the inclusion of a mural, which was created in partnership with Deirdre Murphy, a local artist and professor at Lehigh University. Her large-scale mural, titled “Birdsong,” depicts the migratory paths of songbirds along the Atlantic Flyway and is designed to blend aesthetics with environmental education, subtly prompting viewers to consider their ecological impact.

Murphy, alongside colleagues and volunteers, painted the mural over two days, using 18 gallons of paint to ensure a vibrant representation. The redesign of the plaza not only features the mural but also incorporates native plants sourced and funded through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant, further emphasizing the project’s commitment to environmental resilience.

While the immediate goal of the project is to establish Schauffele Plaza as a communal gathering point, organizers are concurrently advocating for future development of Lot 6, a nearby parking area earmarked by Lower Merion Township for potential conversion into a flexible public space. Township officials are actively reexamining plans for Lot 6 to accommodate parking concerns while developing the area to foster community engagement.

The revitalization of Schauffele Plaza is set to be celebrated with an official unveiling and a community gathering scheduled for Saturday, offering local residents a preview of their transformed neighborhood space, ensuring they play an active role in shaping communal life in Ardmore.