The Trust for Public Land Appoints Owen Franklin Pennsylvania State Director

The Trust for Public Land today announced that Owen Franklin has joined the organization as Pennsylvania State Director. As head of the state office Owen will oversee a successful and growing program to create green parks, playgrounds, and schoolyards in underserved neighborhoods in Philadelphia. He will also guide work with donors, funders, public agencies, and community stakeholders to create parks and conserve land for public benefit and enjoyment across the Keystone State.

Owen most recently served with the City of Philadelphia as the director of the Promise Zone Initiative. This federally designated anti-poverty effort helped align cross-sector partners working in West Philadelphia neighborhoods with long-standing barriers to income and opportunity. This collaboration helped secure more than $40 million in federal, state, and philanthropic funding to support education, public safety, public health, and address other community-identified priorities. Previously, Owen was Director of Research and Planning at Portfolio Associates, a Philadelphia-based consulting firm specializing in participatory planning. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners with the American Planning Association.

“Working for the City, I heard from many neighborhood leaders that an investment in park space was a priority for their community. Parks give communities places to gather, recreate, exercise, and organize,” Owen said. “The Trust for Public Land is uniquely positioned to advance this important work, as it blends the reach and capacity of a national organization with the community knowledge and partnerships of a local organization.”

“The Trust for Public Land is fortunate to have found Owen Franklin to head up its work in Pennsylvania,” said Senior Vice President Jeff Danter. “Owen’s deep experience in planning, and his history of impact working with local partners make him the ideal leader to grow our Philadelphia program and enhance our conservation work statewide.”