Our Initiatives
Community Planning
Swarthmore Veterans Memorial
The Swarthmore War Memorial has long stood as a place of remembrance for those from our community who served their country. Now, more than a century after its creation, we are working with the Borough and other local community partners to repair its physical condition, create a welcoming and accessible public space, and rename it as the Swarthmore Veterans Memorial in honor of all who have served.
Town Center & Community Visioning
Engaging with experts, community leaders, and most importantly our neighbors, we have led a series of planning projects—beginning in 2017 and continuing today—that strive to bring together diverse voices and perspectives to help build a vision for our future.
Scholarships and Awards
Edmund Jones Scholarship
The Swarthmore Centennial Foundation awards the Edmund Jones Scholarship to an outstanding high school senior who resides in Swarthmore. Mr. Jones, former Mayor of Swarthmore, was a founding member and chair of the Centennial Foundation from 1993-2012. He created this $6,000 scholarship that has been awarded to a high school senior every year since 1993. The scholarship is paid in $1,500 increments every year for four years of college.
Shine A Light Award
This award recognizes a person or organization who has made Swarthmore a more diverse, inclusive and equitable place to work, learn, do business, or live.
Local Artist Series
Robert Bohné Limited Edition Print
We are pleased to offer the first edition of an annual series of collectible, heirloom-quality giclée canvas prints of iconic Swarthmore scenes. We commissioned renowned landscape artist Robert Bohné to paint a Swarthmore scene you will want to hang in your home or office and pass down to the next generation as a lasting reminder of your time in Swarthmore.
Revitalization & Beautification Projects
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![Mural on the side of a building, featuring a blue background with colorful flowers on the left and a larger-than-life stack of books on the right with two children sitting on top.]()
Celia Building Mural
In 2025, the Celia Bookshop commissioned a mural supported in part by the Centennial Foundation. Italian artist Pepe Gaka’s mural complements the bookshop with vibrant images of native flowers, local children, and a stack of books honoring original building owner Joseph Celia.
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![A colorful mural on side of a long one-story building, featuring larger-than-life images of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and insects against lush green grasses and plants.]()
Swarthmore CO-OP Mural
Local artists Beth Clevenstine and Paul Santoleri created this mural in 2025, supported in part by the Centennial Foundation, to celebrate the CO-OP’s mission with images of local foods, flora, and fauna. Community members helped create the mosaics embedded into the mural.
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![A street with strings of warmly lit light bulbs hung from streetlights along both sides of the street]()
Town Center Lighting
In 2024, the Centennial Foundation helped support the development of a Town Center lighting plan and installation of commercial grade LED string lighting, improving both vibrancy and safety in the heart of our community.
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![People doing yoga in the Great Hall of the Park Avenue Community Center]()
Park Avenue Community Center
In 2022, the Centennial Foundation supported capital improvements for usability, accessibility, and technical capabilities to the Park Avenue Community Center. The Great Hall and other spaces now support a variety of inclusive community programs and rental events.
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![A bench located in front of a tree trunk in an open park area with woods and a gazebo in the distance]()
Little Crum Creek Park
As part of a longer term plan to improve the ecological health and community resources of Little Crum Creek Park, in 2021 the Centennial Foundation helped support the installation of new benches, along with a notice board and development of outdoor education programs.
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![Swarthmore Central Park]()
Central Park & Amphitheatre
Completed in 2016, Swarthmore’s Central Park plaza and amphitheatre serves as the heartbeat of the community. In addition to improved parking, it’s home to the Swarthmore Farmers Market, events, performances and gatherings.
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![Swarthmore train station clock]()
Train Station Clock
Installed in 2007, the traditional clock installed at the SEPTA train station is accented with a pair of benches and a garden, maintained by the Swarthmore Horticultural Society.
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![Swarthmore Gateway Park]()
Gateway Park
Created in 2002, Gateway Park provides a welcoming entryway into the borough. The Centennial Foundation remains a consistent benefactor to the park and its plantings, with ongoing assistance from the Swarthmore Horticultural Society.
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Borough Hall Bell Canopy
A canopy was installed in 1996 at the entrance of Borough Hall to house a bell (purchased in 1910 by the Fire Association for $290) that was later rescued from a 1950 fire that destroyed Borough Hall. It is rung each Independence Day and at other special events.
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Centennial Park
Unveiled in 1993 — Swarthmore’s centennial — Centennial Park, funded by the newly established Centennial Foundation and designed by Ed Dunning, was dedicated with a re-enactment of the first borough council meeting.
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Public Restroom in Little Crum Creek Park
In 2026, working with Swarthmore Borough and the Friends of Little Crum Creek Park, the Centennial Foundation funded the installation of a public restroom to improve the usability and accessibility of the park.
