Mr. Bilsky, tear down this seasonal air structure!

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Today, in all its 66º glory, I went for a run through the wonderful Penn Park.

It's been called a "milestone for Philadelphia" and "healthy fun" (Amy Gutmann, September, 2011), an "Exclamation point" and "really fantastic" (Steve Bilsky, September, 2011), and "an urban oasis" (Me, right now). Penn park is all of these things. But since early November, its greenscape has been dominated by a white mass of canvas and cable — the seasonal air structure.

With temperatures projected to remain in the upper 60s for the next 10 days, and lows in the upper 40s, it's time for the bubble to go.

It has served the Penn athletic community well over the last four months. I thoroughly expect every spring varsity team to be at championship level this year after benefiting from the bubble's climate-controlled atmosphere this winter. But it's also kind of ugly. When the Park opened last September, Penn administrators made it clear that the park would be a vibrant, attractive eastern entrance to the university. Instead, the seasonal air structure makes Penn Park look like a campsite for the Michelin Man.

Back at the beginning of the fall semester, Athletic Director Bilsky said the bubble would be up from November to March. As it took several weeks to erect (in Bilsky's words, "It’s not like blowing up an air mattress. It’s a big time thing"), it will probably take some time to take down. Let's get that process started as soon as possible.

So, I turn to the words of a Real American Hero, our 40th president and Golden Globe winner, Ronald Reagan:

"We welcome change and openness … [Athletic Director Bilsky], if you seek prosperity for the [spring varsity] and [club sports teams], if you seek [aesthetically pleasing landscapes], come here to this [seasonal air structure]. Mr. [Bilsky], open this gate. Mr. [Bislky], Mr. [Bilsky], tear down this [seasonal air structure]!"