This year’s LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day, an event organized by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12.

Hundreds of volunteers will step out to clean up their neighborhood parks and help prepare them for winter. We’re happy to let you know that West Philly’s Malcolm X Park, located at 52nd and Pine, will be this year’s signature “LOVE Your Park” site.

Mayor Kenney and other dignitaries will be present at the park on Saturday to show support to the volunteers, including Gregorio Cojulun Jr., the President of the Malcolm X Park Friends group.

Gregorio has been a member of the Malcolm X Park Friends since 1996, and has been its president since 1997. He is credited with helping to rid the park of crime and bring it back to life through his ability to motivate neighbors to get involved in the programming and stewardship of the park.  Continue Reading

The “Love Your Park” week kicks off tomorrow in Philadelphia and everyone is encouraged to participate in cleaning, greening and celebrating neighborhood parks. Some fun events, as well as park clean-up and beautification projects will be happening in some West Philly neighborhoods, too. In addition, the Spruce Hill Community Association is organizing the annual May Fair at Clark Park this Saturday, so we hope many of our readers will stick around and join their friends and neighbors at this annual celebration of the Spruce Hill community. Guests are welcome!

Details for local events in the next few days are below. More great events are scheduled for next weekend (stay tuned). NOTE: Volunteers are wanted for some of tomorrow’s projects.

Spruce Hill May Fair, Clark Park (43rd and Chester)

Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The annual Spruce Hill May Fair features live music from local bands, food from some of the best trucks, and a raffle with terrific prizes. There will also be many local artists and craftspeople with gifts for graduations and Mother’s Day, plants on sale by the UC Garden Club, used books for $1 each, and groups and organizations offering information about their causes. Kids can enjoy a big inflated obstacle course, a bounce house and other games. Raffle items include gift cards from local cafes and restaurants, a 60″ Samsung Plasma TV, a free weekend night at Homewood Suites, free yoga classes and more! For more information and schedule for the music groups, click here.

Planting Extravaganza!, Cedar Park (49th and Baltimore)

Saturday, May 10, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Volunteers are needed for planting trees, perennials and annuals throughout the park. The tools will be provided. The garden beds are composted and mulched so all is ready to go. If you can lend a hand for an hour or so, please RSPV:  tatemch@aol.com

Work Day at Clark Park (45th and Regent)

Saturday, May 10, 9:00 a.m.

Help is needed with spreading some mulch and other work. And you can spend the rest of the day at the Spruce Hill Community Association’s Mayfair. Meet at 9 a.m. by the shed, on 45th St where Regent Street ends, south of Chester. Snacks will be served. The event is organized by Friends of Clark Park.

Art in the Park, Malcolm X Memorial Park (52nd & Pine)

Monday, May 12, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

The Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation presents Art in the Park, a FREE arts and crafts traveling class. All ages are welcome! For more information, visit: www.philavisualarts.wix.com/camp

This weekend there’s an opportunity to show your love for your local parks as many events are scheduled in the area as part of the “Love Your Park” week held citywide. Here are some details:

The Porch Beer Garden (The Porch at 30th Street Station)

Thursday & Friday (May 16 & 17), 3 – 8 p.m.

The Porch at 30th Street Station is hosting a two-day beer garden this Thursday and Friday. There will be live music by Perseverance Jazz Band (May 16), The Red Hot Ramblers (May 16), and Polkadelphia (May 17). Beer will be served by Bridgewater’s Pub and the following gourmet food trucks will show up at the event: The Cow and The Curd (battered fried cheese curds), Local 215 (locally sourced seasonal foods), and Sum Pig (gourmet comfort food). For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.

Picnic in Cedar Park (50th & Baltimore)

Friday, May 17, 6 – 8 p.m.

Cedar Park is celebrating “Love Your Park” week with a community picnic. You can bring your own food or pick up a coupon for a “picnic special” you can redeem at Cedar Park area businesses, including The Gold Standard Cafe, Dock Street Brewery, Hibiscus Cafe, Little Baby’s Ice Cream and more. Click here for more details.

Barkan Park Clean-up (50th & Spruce)

Saturday, May 18, 2 – 4 p.m.

Show your love for Barkan Park this Saturday and help with clean-up, weeding, and planting. Tools and refreshments will be provided. For more information call Mark at 215-476-2983.

Party in Clark Park (43rd & Baltimore)

Saturday, May 18, 4 – 8 p.m.
The Friends of Clark Park are hosting a party in Clark Park in observance of “Love Your Park” week and everyone is invited. This free community event will include food, music, games and the park’s first Beer Garden. At the party enjoy performances by West Philly based Pakistani musician Umer Piracha, The Philadelphia Women’s Slavic Ensemble and On The Water. And here are the food vendors at the party: MiniTrini (gourmet Trinidadian food), The Cow and the Curd, Taco Angeleno (new West Philly based taco truck), and Lil’ Pop Shop. Beer will be served by Dock Street and actually will cost $5, but if you join The Friends of Clark Park at the event you will receive a free beer ticket and can buy the next beers for $3.

By the way, also on Saturday Clark Park “B” at 43rd and Chester will be hosting Uhuru Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so you can spend the whole day at the park, especially since the weather is expected to be nice and sunny.