For a better experience, click the Compatibility Mode icon above to turn off Compatibility Mode, which is only for viewing older websites.

Where Philly Meets the World: The Power of Public Spaces

Featuring Kathryn Ott Lovell and Patrick Morgan

Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA

Urban Strategy in the Present Tense is a conversation series featuring notable urbanists discussing their frontline work in urban resilience, as well as sharing their insights about public policymaking, urban problem solving, and life in Philadelphia.

This installment of our conversation series featured Kathryn Ott Lovell and Patrick Morgan in conversation about Philadelphia's public parks and spaces. Read more about them below.

The series is produced by the Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation at Drexel University in partnership with the Urban Strategy Masters Program in Drexel's Westphal College of Media, Arts & Design.

Kathryn Ott Lovell is the President and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation, a role she assumed in 2023. In her first year, she launched innovative initiatives to engage Philadelphians and visitors, including the Rocky Shop at the Parkway Visitor Center, a partnership with Art Star for locally made gifts, and the Liberty Garden beer garden on Independence Mall. These efforts aim to reconnect Philadelphians with iconic spaces and prepare for a landmark year in 2026, when the city will host FIFA World Cup matches, the MLB All-Star Game, and semiquincentennial celebrations.

From 2016 to 2023, Ott Lovell served as Commissioner of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) where she instituted the department’s first strategic plan and led transformative projects like the master-planned overhaul of FDR Park in South Philadelphia and the reimagining of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. She also introduced programs that reactivated public spaces and fostered community connections, including Enhanced PlayStreets, Swim Philly, The Oval+, Parks on Tap, and the Philadelphia International Unity Cup soccer tournament.

Before joining PPR, Ott Lovell was executive director of the Fairmount Park Conservancy, where she elevated the organization’s profile, launched high-impact projects, and secured significant local and national funding. Earlier, as chief advancement officer for Mural Arts Philadelphia, she played a key role in the organization’s growth and programmatic expansion.


Patrick Morgan serves as a Distinguished Resident Fellow for Civic Design at the Lindy Institute overseeing civic design projects, community-centered planning efforts, and research initiatives. Currently he is also an Adjunct Professor with Drexel’s Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. Previously he served as the 1st Deputy Commissioner, Strategy & Engagement with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR) providing leadership for various public-facing units within the department. Morgan helped to oversee the implementation of PPR’s first Strategic Plan, the plan called for resident-centered reforms in support of high-quality relevant programs accessible to all and care of the built and natural environment. He also played a key role in major citywide initiatives, including the Reimagining of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Urban Agriculture, Racial Equity, and Greenworks 2.0.

Previously, Morgan was the Philadelphia based Program Director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. He led Knight’s investment strategy in Philadelphia managing a portfolio of community-focused grants totaling over $26 million. Through this work Knight invested in revitalizing and connecting public spaces to help foster more informed and engaged communities. Prior to joining Knight, Morgan held leadership positions in Mayor Nutter’s administration, including Chief of Staff to the Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources and Assistant Managing Director.