Welcome to Recharge Park: A New Destination for Community and Connection in KOP

What was once the site of both an abandoned electrical substation and an unused parcel originally designated for parking is now one of King of Prussia’s newest public spaces.

On June 4, King of Prussia District celebrated the grand opening of Recharge Park, a 1.1-acre park designed to bring people together through recreation, relaxation and community programming. Located at 680 Freedom Business Center Drive, along the western end of the First Avenue Linear Park between Topgolf and Valley Forge Casino Resort, Recharge Park transforms an underutilized site into a vibrant destination that reflects the District’s ongoing commitment to placemaking, sustainability and quality of life.

More than 100 community members, elected officials, business leaders and project partners gathered for the ribbon-cutting celebration. King of Prussia District President and CEO Eric Goldstein was joined by State Representative Tim Briggs; Jamila Winder, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners; and Tina Garzillo, chair of the Upper Merion Township Board of Supervisors. Together, they highlighted the partnerships and shared vision that transformed the site into a dynamic community asset.

The idea for Recharge Park emerged in April 2024 as King of Prussia District was nearing completion of the First Avenue Linear Park.

“After only 12 years of building the First Avenue Linear Park, we were looking for another challenge,” joked Goldstein during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

That challenge appeared in the form of a neglected parcel anchored by an abandoned electrical substation. Initially, the District envisioned repurposing the substation as a public art installation that would serve as a gateway into the park.

As planning progressed, the project evolved. The additional land, owned by American Baptist Churches USA and leased by Brandywine Realty Trust, had originally been designated for parking.

Today, visitors to Recharge Park will find a landscape that blends sustainability, creativity and playfulness. Designed by King of Prussia-based Stuart & Associates and constructed by local contractor Patriot Grounds & Site Services, the park features solar-powered lighting, outdoor solar-powered workstations, swings crafted from repurposed wind turbine blades, immersive native plantings, outdoor gathering areas and recreational amenities designed to encourage visitors to linger and connect.

Among the park’s most distinctive features are the custom swings, manufactured by Noblewins and adorned with murals by local artist Lindsay Archer. Archer’s artwork, titled Portals to Peace, invites visitors to pause, reflect and engage with the natural surroundings.

Visitors may notice one thing missing from the park’s story: the electrical substation that inspired its name.

“What you won’t see when you explore the park today is the electrical substation,” Goldstein noted. “While it was what first caught our eye and inspired the name of this park, as it turns out, there’s a lot to converting an old substation into an art piece.”

The park also includes a Zen garden dedicated to longtime King of Prussia District board member Richard Kubach, recognizing his years of service and contributions to the organization and community.

Recharge Park was made possible through an investment by King of Prussia District and a $200,000 Montco 2040 Implementation Grant from Montgomery County. The project also benefited from the support of numerous partners, including Upper Merion Township, which assisted with project coordination; Brandywine Realty Trust, which donated an indefinite lease for the property; American Baptist Churches USA, which removed the abandoned substation and approved the lease; the Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority, which provided environmental assessment services; and Valley Forge Casino Resort, which supports park operations and special events.

Recharge Park reflects King of Prussia District’s vision of creating vibrant public spaces that enhance quality of life, strengthen community connections and support economic vitality. As the newest addition to King of Prussia’s growing network of parks and gathering spaces, it will serve as a destination for community events, employee engagement programs, wellness activities and seasonal celebrations, while offering visitors a place to enjoy unique amenities, immerse themselves in native landscapes and do exactly what its name suggests: recharge.

Learn more about Recharge Park here.