Eakins Oval

The Eakins Oval is a circular plaza at the northwest end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, where pedestrian paths loop around a tall fountain system and the Washington Monument rising behind it. Planted beds line the inner circle while open lawn areas along the edges offer space for sitting and resting.

The fountain and plaza took shape in the early 20th century as part of the broader redesign of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, which aimed to create a new connection between downtown Philadelphia and Fairmount Park. The monument was moved to its present spot in 1928 after standing elsewhere in the city.

The plaza becomes a meeting point for neighbors and visitors during summer months, when families spread blankets on the grass and office workers stop by on their lunch breaks to sit near the fountains. On warm evenings, the green space around the monument fills with people heading to nearby museums or simply relaxing after work in the open air.

The plaza is open to visitors every day and lies at the end of the wide parkway that runs uphill from City Hall, passing several major museums along the way. During summer afternoons the area can get crowded, so mornings or late afternoons offer a quieter experience when the sun is less strong.

Two stacked tunnels run beneath the plaza, carrying cars and freight trains so that through traffic does not cross the park surface. The upper tube once carried streetcars before being converted for vehicle use.