What’s Going on with Green City, Clean Waters in South Philly West of Broad?

Point Breeze residents attend a Rain Check workshop and learn about local Green City, Clean Waters projects on Aug. 24, 2016.

Last night, we highlighted some of our local Green City, Clean Waters projects at a Rain Check workshop in Point Breeze. Residents were able to sign up for a free rain barrel or take steps to get reduced-cost green tools for their home, including downspout planters and rain-absorbing pavement.

Amanda Krakovitz, a member of the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) program who is working with Philadelphia Water to engage communities around Green City, Clean Waters investments, provided information about area projects designed to improve local streets and parks while managing stormwater runoff.

For those who missed the meeting but want to learn about some of the local Green City, Clean Waters projects proposed or in the works, we’re providing a quick look at our South Philly projects west of Broad Street below.
You can also register for upcoming Rain Check workshops here.

Green City, Clean Waters projects in the works or proposed for South Philly west of Broad Street:

1900 Point Breeze Avenue and 1703 Ringgold Street
Rain gardens are proposed for these vacant lot sites, with potential construction 1-2 years away. We plan to host a community meeting about the proposed gardens this fall.

Wharton Square Park (23rd and Wharton)
A series of rain gardens are proposed for the edges of the park. Philadelphia Water has had one community meeting, and a follow up meeting is in the works. Efforts have been made to ensure that the gardens will not take up parts of the park people use now.

Ralph Brooks Park (20th and Tasker)
Philadelphia Water installed a rain garden at the site to complement other exciting improvements including a community garden, a new playground and a new basketball court. Many partners came together to complete this project in August 2015. More info here.

Lanier Playground (29th and Tasker)
Philadelphia Water is in the process of finishing work on a large underground basin to manage stormwater and will reseed the entire field at this three-acre park. We will be providing a new backstop and bleachers as a part of the project, and the Trust for Public Land will build a new playground and walking trail at Lanier in spring 2017.

Smith Playground (24th and Snyder)
We installed stormwater tree trenches a few years ago on 24th and Wolf Streets. Now Philadelphia Water is working with Urban Roots, Parks and Recreation and the Make the World Better Foundation to improve this park. Green stormwater tools planned for the site include a rain garden and several underground storage systems.
Our partners renovated the rec center and are planning to build a brand-new artificial turf football field, walking track, exercise equipment and improved basketball courts.
See photos from the ground breaking.

Warriner Post Park (24th and Ritner)
This triangle-shaped park near Smith Playground could host a new rain garden and tree trench. Philadelphia Water is working with the West Passyunk Civic Association to identify other ways to improve the park. We plan to hold a second meeting with neighbors this fall.

Girard Estate Neighborhood
Several bumpouts are planned for the streets around Girard Park, and other street projects (planters, stormwater tree trenches) will improve streets and stormwater management in the neighborhood. This project has two phases: phase one will begin construction in about a year, and the second phase is at least two years away.

If you are interested in attending any future meetings, add your email to our list here. You can also contact Maggie Dunn at Maggie.Dunn@Phila.gov to learn more about these projects.