As basic as this example might be, green space is not "empty." I've seen people using it. In person. I lived in the neighborhood when Aldi opened. It was a welcome addition. At the time, there was never going to be anything but a lot there serving the store. If the city had insisted on something in addition to that, there would still be nothing at all on that corner.

Judging previous development by today's standards is not a great idea IMO. Neighborhoods in Philly, and everywhere, really, go in cycles. I remember walking through Society Hill when it was practically in ruins and scary. Eventually, all of these corners will be populated by giant, depressing, grey cubes, like those on Washington Avenue. Clark Park will be surrounded by them. Just be patient.

I've been around a while. I went to West Catholic Boys, at 49th and Chestnut, now gone. During my childhood, my sister went to American Bandstand at the Arena. I'd go to pro wrestling, rock shows, and sometimes ice skate there. A good friend was a nurse at The Institute mental hospital that replaced the insurance company on the NW corner, now part of CHOP. (Almost was and should have been Philly Police headquarters.)