TTF staff attended a Greenworks 2012 Update and Progress Report [.pdf] at the new, environmentally-friendly Sister Cities Park in Center City, Philadelphia.
Green Roof above Milk & Honey at Sister Cities Park.
The event featured Mayor Michael Nutter; Katherine Gajewski, Director, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability; Mark Focht, Executive Director, Fairmount Park Commission; Paul Levy, President, Center City District; and Philadelphia City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown.
Mayor Nutter addresses the crowd.
Mayor Nutter called attention to Philadelphia’s great work in exceeding two goals in particular: diverting solid waste from landfills and increasing access to parks. He was met with cheers from the crowd when he remarked, “Philadelphia is fast becoming the greenest city in America.”
Mark Focht noted that since the plan’s implementation, over 65,000 new trees have been planted in Philadelphia. (Learn more about TTF’s role in planting trees here.)
This report marks the halfway point in the Greenworks plan’s implementation and includes metrics for each target. Of course, at TTF we are especially interested in Target 8: Managing Stormwater to Meet Federal Standards. Here are just a few highlights of the City’s achievements in this area:
- PWD has constructed 27 demonstration projects and 32 green street projects citywide and will start construction on an additional 215 blocks in 2012.
- PWD distributed 480 free rain barrels last year, bringing the total to 2,200 rain barrels distributed.
- PWD has approved 135 porous pavement projects, totaling 59.4 acres.
- 15 new green roofs have been constructed, bringing the current total to 67. Another 43 are currently planned or under construction throughout the city.
TTF is proud to be a partner with PWD in the Green Cities, Clean Waters program, and we’re excited to see the City of Philadelphia make so many great strides towards sustainability. Be sure to read the whole report here [.pdf]!
