Clean Air Council is again partnering with community stakeholders, Tiny WPA, Amber Art and Design, and Parks and Recreation to create Little Nature Playgrounds at Cobbs Creek Park entrances. In 2025, Cobbs Creek Park received four Little Nature Playgrounds installations along Cobbs Creek Trail – at Cedar Ave, 61st St, Thomas Ave, and Florence Ave – and this new project will add three more locations.

Years of community concerns and advocacy surrounding road safety and barriers to park access have inspired the project. Family friendly entrances will include both an asphalt mural, a little playground, and park maps to draw residents into the park at safe crossing locations. The goal is to provide learning, wellness, and play spaces that connect residents to the physical, social, and mental health benefits of green space.

Continue Reading

Christopher Castagna as Hansel and Maddie Gillespie as Gretel (Photo/Curio Theatre Company)

During this holiday season, Curio Theatre Company is inviting families to their new Make/Partake theatre experience based on a popular children’s tale. Hansel & Gretel opens this Friday at the theatre located at the Calvary Center at 48th and Baltimore, with previews on Wednesday and Thursday.

Curio is bringing another Make/Partake experience following the great success of Jack and the Beanstalk and The Three Little Pigs. It is an immersive experience from the moment it starts. Audience members don’t just watch the show, they take part in the action: making props, sound effects, and shadow puppets and even controlling the weather. This event is fun for the whole family and people of all ages (3 and up) are invited.

The show is written by Curio’s artistic director Paul Kuhn and directed by Mya Flood. It features Philadelphia actors Maddie Gillespie, Christopher Castagna, and Aetna Gallagher.

Hansel & Gretel opens Friday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. and runs December 20th to 31st (11 a.m. and 3 p.m.). Previews are December 17-18 at 6 p.m.

Tickets are available here.

The annual 3rd District Toy Drive is underway and this is a great opportunity to make holidays brighter for local families and children in need. The Office of Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who represents the 3rd District, is accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys through Thursday, Dec. 18. Here’s how you can participate in the drive:

• Bring your donation to the 3rd District Office located at 606 S. 52nd St. or Room 316 at City Hall. Donations are accepted Monday through Thursday during office hours.

• Contribute online via one of the wishlists.

Toy giveaway will take place on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the 3rd District Office (606 S. 52nd St) and families are asked to register by Dec. 19, 12 p.m.. Check out the flyer below for more details.

Continue Reading

Halloween is in two days and if you’re planning to walk around the neighborhood with your kids, family or friends, check out the first-ever West Philly Fright Registry created by a West Philly resident, Dyresha Harris.

Dozens of West Philly residents and some organizations have registered their address for various spooky season happenings or activities since our first post about it in early October. You can browse the database or use the map (see the screenshot above), just enter your zip code in the search window, to find out what your neighbors are up to on Halloween – from giving out candy, to decorations, to events.

More information on how to use the Registry is available here. And to find out how Dyresha came up with this “spooktacular” idea, click here.

Also, don’t forget about the annual Spruce Hill Halloween Tot Parade (more info is here).

The 2024 Spruce Hill Halloween Tot Parade (Photo by West Philly Local)

The annual Spruce Hill Halloween Parade is back on October 31 (for the 27th time!) and we can’t wait to see our little neighbors showing off their creative spooky/funny/cute costumes. If you haven’t participated in this event before or need a reminder, here are some details:

The gathering for the parade begins at 45th and Larchwood at 4 p.m. The parade will kick off at 4:30 p.m. and head east on Larchwood. The parade concludes with a party at “Little Osage” (42nd and Osage) where participants are treated with cider and baked goods provided by local businesses and neighbors.

The long-time organizer, the Spruce Hill Community Association, is inviting “little tots” (6 and under) and their parents or guardians to join them at the parade and party. This year’s event is supported by such local businesses as Lil’ Pop Shop, Dotties Donuts, Loco Pez, Cleo Bagels, Knockbox Cafe, and more.

After the event, if you’re taking your kids trick-or-treating or looking for some entertainment for yourself, check out the West Philly Fright Registry created by a local Halloween enthusiast.

Photo by Berri Wilmore for UCD

On Monday, local stakeholders, elected officials, and neighbors gathered at 47th and Sansom to celebrate an official groundbreaking for improvements coming to the Walnut Hill Playground.

The improvements are the result of a collaborative effort between University City District’s Green City Works landscaping team, the Walnut Hill Community Association, and local non-profit Do Moore Good to secure a $75,000 investment from the Target Foundation.

Continue Reading