Allentown has received $4 million from a Jeff Bezos-backed philanthropic initiative to transform a mostly vacant downtown block into a vibrant inner city park.

Franklin Park, a 1.1-acre space west of 14th Street between Chew and Turner streets, features a small playground, concrete pad and not much else. That will change thanks to the Amazon founder’s Bezos Earth Fund grant, which plans to invest $400 million toward improving urban green spaces across the United States.

According to a news release from the nonprofit Allentown Parknership, the money will fund a host of improvements to the park, including tree plantings, shade structures, play areas, a community garden, basketball court and water features.

The transformation plans follow a community-driven planning process and public meetings held earlier this year. A timeline for construction has not yet been set, and will be dependent on design and permits.

More specific details about the transformation plans will come following a community-driven planning process that will begin this year, according to the news release.

“The generosity of the Bezos Earth Fund will make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of Allentown families and give our neighbors access to a fully functional outdoor space that meets community needs,” said Allentown Parknership Executive Director Ruffian Tittmann in a written statement.

Allentown has already allocated up to $725,000 in federal funding toward design and construction improvements to the park, which was home to Franklin Elementary School until the late 1960s.

“Franklin Park spent decades off the radar as a patch of concrete in a rapidly changing Allentown,” Mayor Matt Tuerk said in a written statement. “When we started partnering with residents to make the improvements that they wanted, the excitement started to grow. We’re so grateful that the Bezos Earth Fund is helping accelerate the collaboration, showing residents what’s possible when a city listens and invests.”

According to the news release, this is the first project in Pennsylvania to receive funding from Bezos Earth Fund’s Greening America Cities initiative. Other cities to receive funding this round were Atlanta, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at Liweber@mcall.com.