REVIVING A PHILADELPHIA LANDMARK: THE TRANSFORMATION OF COBBS CREEK GOLF COURSE

ANGELINA PERRYMAN, VICE PRESIDENT | PERRYMAN CONSTRUCTION

JESSICA MATASE SLATTERY, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, MARKETING | LF DRISCOLL

The Cobbs Creek Foundation is leading a visionary restoration of the historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course in West Philadelphia—an ambitious effort to reimagine the 340-acre site as a dynamic center for recreation, education, and community connection. Once complete, the revitalized campus will include a fully restored 18-hole course, a redesigned nine-hole Karakung Course, short course, a youth education center, a two-story driving range complete with a restaurant, pro shop, event space, and club house.

LF Driscoll, in partnership with Perryman Construction, has played a pivotal role in the preconstruction and construction of the Smilow Woodland TGR Learning Lab and Lincoln Financial Center. The team spent nearly a year in detailed planning and value management sessions to align the project’s ambitious vision with budget goals without compromising quality, innovation, or efficiency.

Tackling Complex Construction Challenges

At the outset of the projects, extensive sitework and utility installations were required to prepare the former golf course for redevelopment. This included designing and installing a campus-wide underground electrical system strategically routed to avoid interference with the golf course greens. The LF Driscoll/Perryman team worked closely with PECO, civil engineers, and the design team to precisely map manholes, transformer vaults, and modules. Using drone technology, the team surveyed elevation changes and existing utilities to ensure accuracy and efficiency during installation.

Beyond the buildings themselves, the construction team collaborated with the Cobbs Creek Foundation to address additional infrastructure needs, including a private-cost sewer installation and the integration of a new force main.

The 30,000-square-foot Smilow Woodland TGR Learning Lab was the first structure to take shape and quickly became a bright spot in the community, offering free, year-round STEAM programming for students in grades 1 through 12. From site preparation to final finishes, the construction team worked with precision to deliver a space that supports hands-on learning in robotics, engineering, digital media, and more.

The construction of the Lincoln Financial Center, a twostory golf entertainment and practice center, introduced another layer of complexity with two distinct design teams—, one focused on the core and shell, and the other on the interior fit-out. Regular design charrettes and pull- planning sessions were instrumental in aligning efforts, resolving design conflicts, and maintaining project momentum. The Lincoln Financial Center’s expansive construction scope included excavation and grading, foundations, stormwater management, paving, sidewalks, landscaping, and site utilities. A defining feature of the work was the installation of a prefabricated pedestrian tunnel beneath Lansdowne Avenue, enhancing connectivity across the campus and linking key elements of the revitalized site.

Collaboration and Community Impact

The success of Cobbs Creek’s revitalization is rooted in collaboration between LF Driscoll/Perryman, the Cobbs Creek Foundation, and a network of skilled union trades and subcontractors. Together, we worked to ensure the project not only delivered technical excellence but also reflected community priorities and values.

Union labor played an essential role, with craftspeople delivering high-quality work across all trades, from concrete and steel to mechanical systems and interior finishes. The project also partnered with workforce development programs such as Everybody Builds and Women in NonTraditional Careers, providing Philadelphia residents with training opportunities and pathways to rewarding careers in construction.

The restoration of Cobbs Creek Golf Course stands as a testament to what’s possible when thoughtful design, strategic planning, and inclusive building practices converge. More than just a revitalization, it’s a reimagining of a historic landmark—one that will serve generations of golfers, students, and community members for years to come.