Following our move to the Globe Dye Works, we wanted to meet new neighbors around each of the new Parks and Recreation Gateways at Tacony Creek Park. What better way than to have a series of block parties? Every Wednesday in July, our Tacony Creek Park neighbors joined us for fun, family-friendly block parties at each new gateway — I St. and Ramona Ave., Fishers Lane and Ramona Ave., Whitaker Ave. and Loudon St., and Rorer St. and Roosevelt Blvd.
To spread the word, we enlisted the help of the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and the Scattergood Foundation to distribute 3,500 (recyclable!) door hangers to the neighborhoods surrounding Tacony Creek Park. Our outreach efforts paid off — almost 500 new friends attended our 4 block parties! We were very excited and honored to have special guest Deputy Mayor of Environmental and Community Resources, Michael DeBerardinis, at our first party!
Partygoers enjoyed free soft pretzels, water ice, giveaways, and community information. Children played with sidewalk chalk, rode their bikes and did arts and crafts. We distributed 150 recycling bins, signed people up for Recycling Rewards, and listened to residents’ ideas and concerns. Our Educator Molly Finch even guided people on park walks exploring the creek and trail.
View more party pictures here.
We want to thank our partners in this effort: Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Philadelphia Water Department, The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, Philadelphia Streets Department, Recycling Rewards, The Juniata Action Committee, Bethel Chapel Church, The Scattergood Foundation, The Student Conservation Association, Keep Philadelphia Beautiful, Fairmount Park Conservancy, Dottie Baumgarten, Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee, New Life Church, Olney Christian School, and our interns who helped prepare for and staff these events!
These parties were important because they not only introduced the neighborhood to their park, but they also gave us insight into the activities and improvements community members want to see. With these responses, we will work to provide just that — a safe, clean park for families to enjoy for years to come.
This is just the beginning of a long relationship with our Tacony Creek Park neighbors. If you’re interested in knowing about our upcoming work and events, please sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, The Source. We’re always sharing news and events with our online community, so be sure to follow us on Twitter, “Like” us on Facebook, and connect with us on LinkedIn.
