Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Inc. (TTF)

OUR MISSION
TTF’s mission is to enhance the health and vitality of the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Creek and watershed, which includes neighborhoods in North, Northeast, and Northwest Philadelphia and Abington, Cheltenham, Jenkintown, Rockledge, and Springfield in Montgomery County. We initiate and support efforts to restore the watershed’s health and mobilize watershed stewards through community outreach, networking, educational programs, and projects.

Working with a variety of groups including residents, schools, community organizations, environmental advisory councils, businesses and policy makers, we build watershed awareness, participation, and stewardship through workshops, lessons, tours, field trips, volunteer activities, and restoration projects. All of our restoration projects serve as watershed classrooms, offering ongoing educational and stewardship opportunities.

CURRENT EFFORTS
Currently, TTF is working closely with key stakeholders including the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR), Cheltenham Township, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, and others to support overall green infrastructure and stream restoration initiatives in the region. We are proud to serve as the connector between these organizations and watershed neighbors, sharing information and on-the-ground education to assist with adoption of these measures.

Tacony Creek Park
In conjunction with the Philadelphia Water and Parks & Recreation departments, TTF is leading the engagement of watershed community members in educational and stewardship activities, raising awareness of watershed issues, and encouraging responsible, positive action in line with Philadelphia’s Tacony Creek trail, park and stream restoration efforts. During 2012, TTF will work with community organizations and residents to plan and install a series of rain gardens in the Tacony Creek park area. In addition, TTF will build upon the success of our fall 2011 Love Your Watershed events with exciting community watershed education events planned for the coming months. Find more information about these efforts here.

Trees
Because trees decrease stormwater runoff and pollutants, TTF embraces tree planting efforts across our watershed. This year, TTF is supporting tree planting and surveying initiatives led by PPR and PHS through the TreePhilly, Plant One Million, and Tree Tenders campaigns to increase trees and tree canopy in our region. We are assisting with tree surveying efforts in Frankford and West Oak Lane and are working with PHS to support and grow Tree Tender groups in our watershed. We continue to support the Wingohocking Tree Tenders, the street tree planting group we founded in Germantown.

Green City, Clean Waters – Rain barrels and more!
TTF is collaborating with PWD on outreach and monitoring for Raincheck, its residential landscaping improvement program in the neighborhoods of Germantown and Frankford. These projects will help manage rainwater and beautify homes. In addition, TTF works closely with other PWD partners, particularly the Energy Coordinating Agency and Rebuilding Together Philadelphia, to share information about the availability of free green infrastructure improvements including rain barrels and downspout planters. TTF will continue to work closely with PWD on its various Green City, Clean Waters implementation efforts.

Restoration Efforts
TTF works to create rain gardens, riparian buffers, and native plantings because these installations absorb and filter water and provide wildlife habitat. TTF has implemented the following restoration projects across our watershed:

  • Clearview Community Park: Transformation of a 5,000 square foot vacant lot in Philadelphia’s Germantown/East Mt. Airy neighborhood into a garden of native plants
  • Vernon Park: Installation of a rain garden and facilitation of community engagement efforts at Vernon Park, a neighborhood park in Germantown
  • Glenside Elementary School: Creation of a 10,000 square foot riparian buffer, outdoor classroom and native bird habitat in Cheltenham
  • Cedarbrook Middle School: Installation of a 15,000 riparian buffer and outdoor classroom along Rock Creek, a first order stream of the Tookany Creek located behind the school in Cheltenham

GET INVOLVED WITH TTF!
For more information about how you can work with us on our current efforts, visit Get Involved with TTF.

Not sure if you live in our watershed? Find your watershed here.

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