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Letters: Festival takes fun out of Franklin Square

ISSUE | PARK ACCESS Festival takes fun out of Franklin Square The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square is disruptive ("Square is open, kind of," Thursday). I work in the area, and the black-cloth-covered chain-link fence, maybe 8 feet tall, looming as you approach looks ugly.

ISSUE | PARK ACCESS

Festival takes fun out of Franklin Square

The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square is disruptive ("Square is open, kind of," Thursday). I work in the area, and the black-cloth-covered chain-link fence, maybe 8 feet tall, looming as you approach looks ugly.

Proponents of the festival act as though the only difference inside the square is that it is used at night. But the huge, brightly colored figures that virtually cover the square, though pretty, obliterate the quiet, restful, green, and natural park experience. It's like hanging out in an amusement park, which can be fun but is not what Franklin Square is. It is unfortunate that the lovely square has been put to this use for two months, during probably the prettiest time of the year.

|Paul Mack, Philadelphia