Walnut Hill Community Playground. (Photos by Selah Lynch / West Philly Local)

At the corner of Sansom and 47th sits Walnut Hill Community Playground, a park with a long and varied history. It was built in the 1970s and used for decades, but in early 2009 an inspector declared it unsafe and recommended it be closed. In response, residents organized a complete rebuild. This culminated on August 6th 2009 when 373 volunteers came together for one day to finish the park. Today the park is home to playground equipment, including a spiral slide, monkey bars and swings. It is surrounded by benches and picnic tables and shaded by mature Japanese Pagoda trees. One patron, Jacki, whose three kids were playing in the park said, “I’m so grateful for this place. I live in the projects but I like to take my kids down here where it is safe.”

While many residents are thrilled about the park, some residents have been confused about the hours. According to the Walnut Hill Community Association (WHCA), which maintains the playground, they adhere to the following hours: M-F 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat-Sun 9 a.m.-8 p.m. But local mom, Maggie Gummere said, “I’ve walked by a few times on a Saturday or a Sunday and the park has been closed.” This disappoints her because, as she adds, “It looks like so much fun.” Another mother blogs, the hours are “marked ‘9 a.m.-8 p.m. seven days,’ but it’s been closed several Sunday mornings.”

The WHCA says that they lock the playground outside of daylight hours to maintain a safe and healthy atmosphere. Currently, responsibility for the park falls on the shoulders of very few. Walnut Hill residents Lydia Connolly and Teresa Leedie lock, unlock and monitor the park. Resident Horace Patterson, WHCA President, takes responsibility for cleaning and emptying the trash.

Lorna Peterson, a Walnut Hill resident for 24 years and WHCA vice president, says that one thing parents can do for the park is simply to use it and help maintain a positive adult presence. She also adds, “anyone who is interested in using, maintaining or chaperoning the park, we encourage them to join the community association.” The next meeting is at 6 p.m. on September 25th at the Enterprise Center at 4548 Market Street. Alternatively, people can contact the association at 215-472-1381 or walnuthillevents [at] gmail.com.

– Selah Lynch

 
The Walnut Hill Community Association threw itself a 50th birthday block party Saturday complete with face painting, a moon bounce, free hot dogs and a check-bearing politician.

The party took place along 50th Street between Locust and Walnut, just in front of two vacant lots that WHCA recently turned into community gardens with the help of a grant from the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia.

Special party guests included State Senator Vincent Hughes, who presented a check for $1,000 to WHCA President Horace Patterson to help WHCA’s efforts, and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell.

Hughes, who grew up a block away from the celebration on St. Bernard St., also announced a partnership between WHCA and his office to further help victims of the Windermere Apartments fire.

The Association also bid farewell to Imanni Wilkes Burg from The Enterprise Center, an important community partner. She is going to live temporarily in Russia.

Now is a good time to join the Association, which coveres an area roughly from 45th to 52nd Streets and Market to Spruce Streets, as new memberships begin in July and cost just $10.

Check out the slideshow:

This year Walnut Hill Community Association (WHCA) turns 50 and its annual Community Day will be a great way to mark the anniversary. All neighbors are invited to join the celebrations this Saturday, July 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 50th and Locust Streets. There will be live music, free food, moon bounce, raffles, and other fun stuff. See the poster for more details.

The Walnut Hill Community Association is sponsoring a benefit for the Windermere fire victims on March 5 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Monumental Baptist Church at 50th and Locust. All proceeds will be donated to a fund that the community association has set up for the victims. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers are scheduled to be in attendance.

Here is a flier for the event (click to enlarge):