Since opening its doors in 1976 as the first museum in the nation designed specifically for children ages seven and under, the Please Touch Museum has served as a cornerstone of early childhood education and interactive play in Philadelphia. Now housed in Fairmount Park’s historic Memorial Hall, the beloved institution is kicking off a yearlong 50th birthday celebration this October to honor half a century of sparking curiosity, creativity, and discovery across generations.

The milestone anniversary will feature free community events, new interactive exhibits, and special celebrations for local families.

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The end-of-summer tradition is back: the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll returns this Thursday, Sept. 3, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., bringing $1, $3, and $5 deals from dozens of local businesses and neighborhood festivities to Baltimore Avenue between 40th and 51st Streets.

Organized by University City District in partnership with local businesses and organizations, this edition features more local vendors, music, and community block parties spread out along the corridor.

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City officials and Kingsessing community members gathered on Tuesday, Aug. 25, to celebrate the grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting of the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center located at 58th and Kingsessing. Following a comprehensive $27 million renovation, the 148-year-old Southwest Philadelphia facility has been completely transformed into a modern, fully accessible hub for neighborhood residents.

The extensive overhaul preserved the historic integrity of the original 1878 structure while completely reimagining its interior and exterior footprint. The expanded facility now features:

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Following months of community rallies and sustained advocacy from grassroots organizers, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, and other local elected officials, Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration has officially announced a commitment to help save 925 affordable rental units across West and Southwest Philadelphia.

In a formal statement released on Tuesday, Aug. 11, Mayor Parker confirmed that the City of Philadelphia will allocate funding and work alongside housing leaders to preserve the Neighborhood Restorations portfolio, whose expiring tax-credit subsidies had threatened to displace up to 3,000 residents.

The release coincided with a demonstration outside City Hall organized by the OnePA Neighborhood Restorations Tenant Committee, residents, and local elected officials pushing for city intervention.

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The Friends of Clark Park and their partners are continuing the park’s playground redesign process, which kicked off earlier this year. This project marks Phase 1 of the park’s broader Master Plan, shaped by extensive community feedback. Supported by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and University City District, the initiative aims to create a modernized, accessible space with an emphasis on nature-based and inclusive design for neighborhood families.

This Monday, Aug. 10, community members are invited to join an online meeting to learn about the project’s progress and review an initial conceptual design from design firms Hinge Collective and Studio Ludo.

The meeting will take place via Zoom from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. See the attached flyer for registration and details.

This August, West Philadelphia will honor a vital piece of local civil rights history as Freedom Now Fest returns to Lancaster Avenue. The festival commemorates the 61st anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic Freedom Now Rally speech, delivered at 40th and Lancaster in 1965.

On Sunday afternoon, Lancaster Avenue will transform into a lively block festival connecting Dr. King’s enduring legacy with neighborhood culture and community empowerment. This free event will feature:

• Live Performances & Art: Live music, spoken word, public art installations, and wellness experiences.
• Family & Youth Activities: Interactive programming including the Dream Builders Kids Zone.
• Film & Tradition: The return of the popular “King on the Avenue” film screening alongside the Lancaster Avenue Living Legacy Bell, featured as part of the statewide America250PA initiative.
• Local Economy & Culture: Food vendors, local artists, community organizations, and Black-owned businesses lining the corridor.

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