Our Gorgeous Gazebo

What’s the history, and why is it important?

While it may appear to the naked eye to simply be a striking focal point and a lovely fixture in which to take photos, the Robinson Park gazebo has been an ongoing inspiration for and symbol of activism in Wyncote for over 100 years.

Preface

A major part of our mission is to educate neighbors and interested parties on subject matter that is of specific concern to Robinson Park and the proposed “Wetland Enhancement Project.”  We are committed to providing you with independent, expert third-party guidance from reputable sources, and we share these resources along with our interpretation to support your self-education in determining how these matters will impact your lifestyle, property values, children, and pets as you enjoy the Park.

We hope that you will feel free to forward this article to your friends and neighbors who may similarly benefit from this information and invite them to join our mailing list.

In today’s article, we’d like to focus a bit on the history of The Friends of Robinson Park, the beautiful Gazebo, and the robust history of activism in our community that has protected this valued resource.  It was written by Alex Gilliam, the Vice President and Secretary of The Friends of Robinson Park and a 26-year resident of Bend Terrace (the house just up the hill from the Park).

The Robinson Park Gazebo: Early History

H.K. Walt, the original owner of Bend Terrace and the plot of land on which Robinson Park is built, originally constructed a gazebo atop the historic grotto that is still present by the side of the pond.  It was a shaded vantage point where the family was able to sit and enjoy each other’s company while watching their children play and splash around in what was, at that point, their private pool.  Beloved by the family, it became a backdrop for numerous family photos.

Members of the family play by the pool (photo ca. 1950s)

When the Park was acquired by Cheltenham in 1996, it also became a highly sought-after and much-enjoyed setting for countless wedding and life event photos for many who celebrated these occasions at All Hallows Church and Calvary.  Having grown up in Bend Terrace myself, I can recall countless spring and summer days as I sat on our veranda and watched as the brides and their bridal parties made their way across the street from the churches amid sprays of flowers and throngs of happy family members to have their photos taken.  The natural setting and serene environment was lauded for its innate beauty.

Turning Point: 1999

In 1999, a few years following the Park’s acquisition by the Township in 1996, a faction of concerned neighbors led by the BHAR (Board of Historical & Architectural Review) were able to secure a commitment from Township Staff that the Gazebo would be restored.  Upon learning of this commitment, numerous neighbors stepped up and volunteered their time and expertise to assist with the restoration.

However, without notice, the gazebo was deemed “unsafe” by the Township and razed to the tremendous shock of the community.  The neighbors on the front lines of the preservation project were horrified, and many brides – who had been planning to have their wedding photos taken there for months at that point – knocked on our door at Bend Terrace to ask about the fate of the beloved focal point of the Park.  In response to this blatant desecration of our small local landmark, The Friends of Robinson Park was officially christened.

While we were, at that point, just a ragtag group of concerned individuals and not the registered 501(c)3 and organized community advocacy group that we have grown to become, The Friends of Robinson Park were determined to prevail.  They shifted their focus to securing another commitment from the Township to replace the gazebo that was removed.  This resulted in an, ahem, energetic conversation during which the Friends were told by Staff that they could “go pound sand” if they thought that the gazebo would be rebuilt in any capacity.

As one can imagine, this did not sit well.  The Friends then pivoted and initiated a door-knocking campaign to invite interested parties to attend a meeting at Bend Terrace to discuss the situation.  While still just a small child of four, I remember sitting in the back of a teal wagon holding onto stacks of flyers as my mother canvassed the neighborhood and passionately advocated to anyone who would listen about why that gazebo was important.  

Staff and Commissioners were also invited, and the meeting was a tremendous success: 80+ neighbors came out in force, and the nursing home, now Phoebe Wyncote, actually bussed residents over to participate due to the overwhelming interest.  Because of the way that this community rallied to support our Park, the Commissioners – surprisingly – approved and instructed Staff to replace the gazebo.

Members of the original Friends of Robinson Park gather at Bend Terrace

A Triumphant Return

Overjoyed by the victory, the Friends and the BHAR were instrumental in identifying two vendors who submitted designs and construction estimate.  Ultimately, an architectural firm named “Romancing the Woods” was selected, as their design most closely matched the original.  A few months later, they installed the gazebo that exists in the park today.

The gazebo continues to be enjoyed by neighbors who love to rest in the shade and take in the vista that Robinson Park provides.  Weddings continue to flock in droves to have their photos taken inside of it.  Even my own prom photos were taken there, along with multiple other groups of teens per year.  We’ve been told that their reasons for doing so relate to the fact that their parents had their own prom photos taken in the original gazebo – a meaningful way of bringing a teenage milestone full circle for families.

Alex and date Max headed to their Junior Prom in 2010.  (Ugh, so grainy…! Thanks, Dad.)

But what of The Friends of Robinson Park?

Upon achieving their triumph in 1999, The Friends of Robinson Park were able to rest on their laurels and fell dormant for the years immediately following.  However, when this recent opportunity arose to support not just a fixture within this Park but the Park itself, we knew that it was time to once again take up the mantle with a re-energized focus to save Robinson Park as a recreational haven for all who visit it.  This year, we celebrate 25 years of activism and advocacy, and we are excited and grateful to have you along with us on this journey.

While this anecdote may be just a small footnote in the history of Cheltenham Township, we hope its message will serve as a distinct reminder of the longstanding impact that a small group of people can have through grit and determination.  The gazebo stands as a symbol of the original Friends group and the power of united community voices.  This is why we’ve chosen it as the centerpiece of our logo, and we welcome your voice in collectively speaking to the importance of the Park in our daily lives.

Further, because of the gazebo’s enduring symbolism as a rallying cry for Historic Wyncote, it has been chosen by The Robinson Park Partners, another community advocacy group with which we’ve allied to support our collective mission, as a component of their campaign.  It is our hope that the gazebo will continue to embody an emblem that unites our neighbors once again and uplifts our efforts to protect our beautiful Park.

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