Renderings of Elmwood Park are pictured as Norristown council members hear a presentation on the draft master plan on June 17, 2025. (Image courtesy Municipality of Norristown)
Plans to overhaul Elmwood Park are in the works as elected officials and area residents caught a glimpse of concept renderings of the vision last week.
Peter Simone, president of the Norristown-based Simone Collins Landscape Architecture firm, addressed a crowd of people at the June 17 Norristown Municipal Council work session to offer a status report of a conceptualized vision for the green space along Harding Boulevard.
Simone outlined several priorities related to accessibility, safety and recreation. But he stressed it’ll take time and money for plans to be executed fully as he anticipated a $40.6 million price tag.
“This is a big project for any community,” Simone said.
The Elmwood Park Master Plan Draft has been in the works since September 2024, with four public meetings held to determine points of interest for area residents. Simone noted significant public interest with more than 90 people attending the last three meetings. Among the attendees was Norristown Municipal Council President Rebecca Smith.
“I am impressed that every time I see the designs back again you’ve incorporated something that somebody had said at the meeting,” Smith said.The plan aims to take a “comprehensive look at the park and the area surrounding it,” Simone said, emphasizing how the “acquisition of Roosevelt Field is a huge addition to the park.”
Simone stressed that “creating gateways” and “safer intersections” were top priorities. He identified that attention should be paid to the surrounding streets, access points to the park, parking, and general safety.
“Informed by public input, stakeholder engagement, and expert analysis, the draft provides a strategic framework that balances environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and modern recreational needs, serving as a blueprint for phased implementation over the coming years,” a description read in part on the Norristown Municipal Council’s agenda.
Proposed ideas included “new sidewalks along Harding Boulevard and Sterigere Street,” as well as installing bike lanes on a nearby bridge owned by Montgomery County.
Councilman Will McCoy queried about how signals or speed bumps could be implemented into the park’s master plan. Simone suggested that “raised pedestrian crossings” be installed.
“A lot of the residents complained about speeding along Harding Boulevard,” Simone said.
Simone proposed constructing a pavilion, replacing trees and building a new bathroom near the playground at Elmwood Park. A new community center was the crown jewel for municipal and planning officials as they stressed the importance of offering more recreational opportunities to residents.
With the community center being such a “big part of the project at Roosevelt Field,” Simone recommended taking a two-phased approach to construction and financing. Slated amenities included a pool, gymnasium, track, meeting room, and other multipurpose spaces.
Simone outlined varying costs for the projects for elected officials to digest, and suggested that municipal officials take a “phased, methodical approach.”
Projects focusing on streets, sideways and safety were expected to cost about $5.5 million, while park improvements could cost $4.9 million. Along with $4.6 million in costs related to Roosevelt Field, the community center undertaking was divided into two phases, with line items recording roughly $14.8 million for the first phase and around $10.8 million for the second phase.
A municipal spokesman said council will consider federal, state and local sources of funding as well as any other available funding sources to support the project.
“This is a 10, 15, 20-year plan. You’re not going to do this overnight,” Simone said.
Simone said he’ll return to present a final master plan for council to approve as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Council members appeared pleased with Simone’s efforts over the last year.
“The work that you’re doing is phenomenal,” McCoy said.
Smith agreed, crediting Simone with incorporating feedback from community members.
“I appreciate how thoughtfully you’re taking in the public input at these meetings,” Smith said.
“They’ve come up with the best ideas in this process,” Simone replied.
