Chinese Lantern Festival draws 90,000 despite complaints it took over Franklin Square
Organizers of the Chinese Lantern Festival, which dominated and blocked off Franklin Square from April 22 to June 12, say the profit-making venture drew more than 90,000 visitors during its seven-week run.
Organizers of the Chinese Lantern Festival, which dominated and blocked off Franklin Square from April 22 to June 12, say the profit-making venture drew more than 90,000 visitors during its seven-week run.
The festival, presented by an American unit of a Chinese company based in Zigong, Sichuan province, attracted criticism because cyclone construction fences draped with opaque black cloth was erected around the park to restrict access at night. Some area residents also criticized the lengthy private use of public space and complained about the formidable fencing.
Amy Needle, president and chief executive of Historic Philadelphia, a private nonprofit that leases Franklin Square from the city and operates the park, said that the festival attracted visitors from all 50 states and more than 10 countries.
"Many [visitors] had never been to the square before," she said. "It was obvious."
Historic Philadelphia maintains the square on an annual budget of about $850,000. All funds are raised privately.
No estimate of total revenues from the festival is available yet, said Needle. Earlier she said Historic Philadelphia anticipated about $220,000 from the festival. The bulk of the gate revenue went to the for-profit Chinese operator.
The 90,000-visitor figure represents paid attendees, Needle said - $17 for adults and $12 for children.
Needle said Historic Philadelphia, which operates a carousel and other concessions in the square, had never before charged for a special public event at Franklin Square.
She said that while the nighttime festival required tickets, the square was free and accessible through two open gates during the day, and its playground was free and available at all times throughout the festival run.
Historic Philadelphia, widely seen as responsible for resurrecting once-dilapidated Franklin Square, took over operations a decade ago.
"We were looking for something that would kick off this 10th birthday - that was one of the main reasons we thought [the festival] would be a great thing," Needle said. "But obviously, in order to run this park, it was a great opportunity for us to have increased revenue."
Asked about the private for-profit use of public parkland over such an extended period, Kathryn Ott Lovell, commissioner of the city Department of Parks and Recreation, said the festival added "value" in her view, drawing paying customers at night.
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