Apple Studios has been filming scenes for the upcoming season of their television show, Catamount (a limited-run crime drama) in the Spruce Hill neighborhood since February. Filming is mostly taking place in the area of 44th/45th and Spruce and on 46th Street between Pine and Spruce, but more areas may be affected as well.

As the scenes involve the production crew working with equipment on the street, there are intermittent road closures and parking restrictions in the areas of filming. Residents are asked to move their vehicles prior to the crew’s arrival. Any vehicles not moved will be relocated to another street in the neighborhood by the Philadelphia Police Department.

Here are the dates and times of the no parking zones for the neighborhood from Sunday, March 19 through Friday, March 24. Continue Reading

For some folks living in the Spruce Hill neighborhood, which borders Penn’s campus, the time when students move out in May and leave tons of unwanted stuff behind is considered “Penn Christmas.” One can find gently used furniture, designer clothes and shoes and even a high-end surfboard or two.

For others, it’s a trash – plain and simple.

The Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) has been working with the University of Pennsylvania to help improve the Penn community’s response to the excessive trash left behind on streets and sidewalks in the neighborhood when students move out.

SHCA prepared a short online survey to help guide these discussions with the University, which may lead to “real improvements.” Residents are asked to complete a short online survey so your their can be considered. The results will be shared with Penn partners who are working to solve these issues.

The survey can be accessed via this link.

The deadline to apply for the Neighborhood Slow Zone Program has been extended to February 15. The program, run by the Philadelphia Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (OTIS), invites neighbors to apply for traffic calming in an entire zone of residential streets. The City will work with successful applicants to bring traffic calming to an entire “Slow Zone,” which will include:

• Developing a plan for traffic calming that responds to critical safety issues;

• Lowering speed limits to 20MPH;

• Installing traffic calming tools, like speed cushions, and more. Continue Reading

The annual Spruce Hill May Fair is set to to return to Clark Park after a two-year hiatus. The popular outdoor event will be held Saturday, May 7, from 12 – 6 p.m. at the park located at 43rd and Chester.

The longtime organizers, Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA), are currently seeking vendors – local artisans, community groups and organizations who are interested in doing outreach and promotion at this event are invited to submit an application.

Space is limited and priority will be given to local community organizations and artisans. Vendor fees are affordable ($40 or less for the day), reflecting SHCA’s mission to connect the neighborhood with local groups and artisans. Continue Reading

The Spruce Hill Community Association is inviting families to kick off their trick-or-treating festivities at Clark Park, where the annual Halloween Tot Parade will be held this year. The decision to move the parade, which traditionally kicks off at 45th and Baltimore and proceeds down 45th St. to Osage Ave., was made because of COVID safety precautions.

The 2021 parade will take place around Clark Park and will not culminate in the traditional Osage Ave. block party, according to the organizers. Gathering begins at 4 p.m. at 43rd and Baltimore and the parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. The Penn Drum Line will participate in the event, and there will be treats and other fun activities.

The organizers are asking attendees to wear masks – the scary kind and the COVID-safe kind – and to follow social distancing guidelines.

The next Spruce Hill Community Association’s Zoning Committee meeting will take place Thursday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. (see more details below). The meeting will focus on several development projects proposed along Chestnut Street – from 40th to 46th Street:

4519-45 Chestnut Street: Six-story residential development with 327 units is being proposed on an existing parking lot at West Catholic High School.

4145 Chestnut Street: A residential building with 136 units and ground floor commercial/retail;

4301-29 and 4331-37 Chestnut Street: A seven-story mixed use complex with 275 residential units. Continue Reading