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Controversy About Hedge Street Park Proposal

A proposal for upgraded facilities at Hedge Street Park, (Hedge and Orthodox Sts.) is receiving push back from a community group called the Concerned Citizens for a Better Frankford.

A suggestion to create a skate park at Hedge Street park, already the site of basketball court, was announced at the Frankford Parks meeting on August hedge street park27th according to Nashib Edwards, CEO of the group.  While they are pleased that improvements are being considered, the group believes that a skate park in not something the community wants.  There is an existing skate park at Torresdale Ave. and Wakeling Street in use now.  A survey of the neighbors which the Parks Group had said was to be made has not been done.

The group has circulated a petition to protest the skate park which has been signed by 98% of the neighbors.  It is the preference of the group, and apparently the majority of the local neighbors, to refurbish the already existing basketball court along with adding a playground and a workout area for adults.

A Frankford Parks Group representative has stated that the proposal was just in the early stages and that there are no firm plans for the skate park.  Funding improvements of this kind is difficult under the current fiscal climate in the city.  The skate park concept was made with the thinking that private funds might be available for that kind project.

 

 

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Record Turnout at PSA1 Residents Organize for Action

Record numbers turned out on Thursday night, September 26th for the PSA1 meeting.  Unfortunately the police representatives were busy with a crime event elsewhere so Pete Specos had to conduct the meeting on their behalf.  Attendance was unusually high as a result of the Town Hall meeting on September 19th, on the subject of drug recovery/boarding houses in Frankford where people were told about the PSA meetings.  Many Frankford residents are still unaware that you can meet with the police directly once a month to talk about your specific problems.

Residents from Worth, Ditman, Kinsey, Griscom and Penn Streets actively discussed the problems that beset their areas and resolved to work together to demand solutions.  The end result was to organize neighbors to attend the Frankford Civic Association meeting on October 3rd as a show of solidarity.

If you want to make progress on these issues in your area, you are urged to attend the Frankford Civic Association meeting at 7PM at Aria Hospital on October 3rd.

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Nominations for Board Members at Northwood Civic

At the September meeting of the Northwood Civic Association, President Joe Krause announced that nominations for new board members will be accepted at the October meeting.   The civic needs board members to do the work that needs to be done in the community.  This is your chance to contribute and help out the neighborhood.

Other news at the September meeting:

  • The Treasurer was absent so no treasurer’s report was available.
  • It was announced that the Bridge (a residential substance abuse treatment center for adolescent males), now under construction, would be opening in January of 2014 at 1100 Adams Avenue.  The Northwood Civic supported their zoning application to occupy the building.  The group is moving from their present location on Pine Road.
  • Tom McAvoy, President of Northwood Town Watch, says truck parking is now pretty much under control.
  • There are several houses being rehabbed in the Northwood deed restricted area.  When the civic becomes aware of that situation, they send a notice to the real estate agent or owner to remind them of the deed restriction.  This lets them know that what they can and cannot do.
  • The Bromley Mansion Y building is stiill in need of someone to step up with financing for anything to move forward.
  • State Representative James Clay discussed a bill he is cosponsoring that will tax lottery winnings to finance education.  The details of the bill will be worked out in the next session of the congress.
  • Jason Dawkins, for Councilwoman Sanchez, talked about legislation she has pushed through that will exempt $50,000 of revenue for new businesses from the gross receipts tax for the first year of operation.  Another bill would provide free business licenses for 2014.  Both pieces of legislation are aimed at encouraging new start up businesses.

The next meeting of the Northwood Civic Association will be held on October 15th at 7PM at St. James Lutheran Church at Pratt St. and Castor Avenue.

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Overington Park to Receive Community Greening Award

Overington Park, located at Leiper and Orthodox Streets, has been named a recipient of the Community Greening Award by the Pennsylvania Horticultural park award webSociety.  Evaluators from the PHS visited 89 gardens statewide evaluating sites based on plant variety, design, use of space, and horticultural practices..  There will be a reception on December 10th at the Governor’s residence hosted by Mrs. Corbett, the First Lady, for the winners.

Congratulations to the Friends of Overington Park on the honor and thanks to all of you for your hard work that brought this honor home to Frankford.