If you want to dispose of your Christmas tree responsibly, here’s a great opportunity. The annual Tree-Cycling event organized by University City District and UC Green will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11 at two neighborhood parks: Clark Park (43rd and Chester) and Malcolm X. Park (51st and Pine).

Tree-Cycling at Clark Park will run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and at Malcolm X. Park from 12:30 to 3 p.m. A $5-$20 suggested donation is requested at both events.

After you drop off your tree you can watch it being mulched by staff and volunteers from UC Green and Bartlett Tree Experts. The mulch from the trees will be used at local parks and your donation will support UC Green community greening services and programming.  Continue Reading

The slowly crumbling sidewalks around the perimeter of Clark Park will be replaced thanks to a grant secured by State Rep. Jim Roebuck, according to an announcement by his office.

Roebuck announced that $110,000 in state funding has been awarded to the University of the Sciences, which is across the street from the park, for its sidewalk improvements.

“These funds should help bring pedestrian safety improvements and make the area more accessible for everyone in the community,” Roebuck said in a statement. “I am pleased that this grant money was awarded so that more residents can take advantage of the outdoor spaces at Clark Park.”  Continue Reading

Neighbors have a chance to get updates on all things Clark Park at a Fall public meeting organized by Friends of Clark Park. The meeting is Monday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. at Rosenberger Hall (Room 102) on the University of the Sciences campus (600 S 43rd St).

The annual meeting is always a great time to discuss ongoing issues with the park and learn about some of the latest events and upcoming changes.

Friends of Clark Park will also be holding the annual election for the board of directors. If you would like to get involved in the Friends of Clark Park work or are just curious about the latest happenings in the park you are welcome to attend the meeting.

For more information about Friends of Clark Park and their work, visit: www.friendsofclarkpark.org.

Photo from the Woodlands Facebook page.

Here’s great news for the Woodlands cemetery’s numerous visitors: The Woodlands has now brand-new restroom facilities – in the Carriage House (Stable) building, located next to the Community Garden (see map here).

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facilities will take place this Saturday, Sept. 28 at 11:30 a.m. The bathrooms will be open for all events at the Woodlands, and whenever there is staff on-site.

Funding for the new restrooms came largely from the William Penn Foundation.  Continue Reading

A participant in the gathering at Malcolm X. Park that resulted in several dozen police officers clearing the park out Saturday night told CBS3 that the event was peaceful and that cops overreacted.

Joseph Clifton says in a video posted on CBS3’s website (see below) that people gathered for a video shoot and cookout. He said the city had issued a permit for 300 people.

Clifton said as many as 30 police officers initially responded to ask organizers to turn music down. Soon after, more police arrived and cleared the park. Cell phone video that Clifton shot shows police lined up shoulder to shoulder with batons drawn, walking through the park. Several blocks around the park were closed and a police helicopter circled the park for about an hour.  Continue Reading

Bartram’s Garden has a chance to get awarded $200,000 after it was selected as a finalist for the Philadelphia Foundation’s Key to Community grant. The historic garden and arboretum located at 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. in Southwest Philadelphia is competing in the Community & Civic Engagement Category with their project titled “Reclaiming Local History and Championing an Inclusive Future in Southwest Philly.”

The grant will be used to directly support the neighborhood residents within the following initiatives:  Continue Reading