Southwest Philly Eastwick Community

Good Afternoon,

On Monday, June 29th, the Department of Streets will be hosting a trail walkthrough for the Cobb's Creek Trail extension. The route for this walkthrough will be the portion of the trail that runs along Island Avenue between Woodland Avenue and Glenmore Avenue. The walk will begin at the Blue Bell Tavern at 5:30 pm. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit the project page. There is a flyer attached to this message.

Reminders:

Flood Monitoring

The Philadelphia Flood Monitoring Technology System is live! This cutting-edge initiative allows users to view real-time water level monitoring on the City of Philadelphia's website. More information about this technology can be found in this blog post by the Office of Emergency Management.

Eastwick Flood Resilience Strategy

The Eastwick Flood Resilience Strategy has been released! This document outlines multiple measures that could be used to mitigate flooding in Eastwick. The suite of mitigation options presented in this strategy is the result of collaboration between many partners and community members over the course of nearly two years. The strategy can be viewed on the Office of Sustainability's page.

I am writing to report a serious environmental and public health concern behind the Penrose Plaza Shopping Center, specifically in the area where Wingstop and Popeyes are located.

A significant amount of cooking oil, reportedly originating from Wingstop, has been improperly dumped behind the property near the bushes. The odor is extremely strong and unpleasant, creating an unhealthy environment for nearby residents and visitors. More concerning, the oil appears to be flowing directly into a nearby storm drain, which raises the risk of environmental contamination.

This situation is unacceptable and requires immediate investigation. I request that the appropriate authorities thoroughly examine this matter, identify the responsible party, and take appropriate enforcement action, including fines if warranted.

This is a fenced-in lot that is being used for illegal dumping. The site continues to be used as an illegal dumpsite, and the accumulated waste has not been removed for more than a year.

Good Afternoon,

There are two community meetings to look forward to this week:

Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition Virtual Public Meeting

EFNC will be hosting a virtual public meeting tonight beginning at 6:00 pm to discuss pressing community issues and provide updates on the organization's ongoing efforts. Topics will include drinking water, strategies to combat illegal dumping, maintenance concerns, and more! Click here to join the meeting. Meeting ID: 230 735 093 096 183 Password: PJ7rg2aR

Eastwick Community Conversation

The office of State Senator Anthony H. Williams is hosting a meeting on Saturday, May 30th from 12:00-2:00 pm at the Eastwick Recreation Center located at S. 80th Street and Mars Place. This will be a chance to hear from local elected officials and representatives from City agencies that are working in your neighborhood. There is a flyer attached to this message.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Taylor Quinland & Korin Tangtrakul

Place-Based Initiatives Team

Good Afternoon,

We are just three weeks away from Eastwick Community Day! Join us on Saturday, May 9th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Eastwick Regional Playground located at S. 80th Street and Mars Place. 

Join us for the fourth year in a row at this family friendly event and resource fair where you will have the opportunity to speak with many of the agencies and organizations working in the area. There will be food, music, and games for everyone! Registration can be found here. This free event does not require registration, but registering helps us keep you informed about changes to the event, such as adjustments for inclement weather.

Community Day will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling the Philadelphia Flood Monitoring Technology Systems. This cutting-edge initiative exemplifies the City's commitment to enhancing flood preparedness by enabling real-time water level monitoring and faster, more effective alerts for residents. The event will include inspiring remarks from Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, underscoring the City’s dedication to innovation and community resilience.

If you would like to have a table to bring information or resources to the event, there is still time to sign up by filling out this form. We are also still looking for volunteers to help before, during, and after the event. If you are interested in volunteering at Eastwick Community Day, click here.

We can't wait to share another day of fun in the sun with the Eastwick Community!

Taylor Quinland & Korin Tangtrakul

Insurance Survey

At the end of the December town hall meeting, residents were encouraged to take a survey that will help Insurance for Good understand the needs and preferences of Eastwick. This information will be used to inform the exploration of possible innovative flood insurance products. To begin the survey, click here.

Eastwick United is Hiring

Eastwick United CDC is looking to fill two paid positions to support the organization's work. EU is looking to hire an Environmental Program Manager to lead initiatives and represent the organization in stakeholder discussions as well as a Grant Manager to identify, track, and manage funding opportunities. More information can be found on the flyer attached to this email. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions. 

Community Rating System

The City of Philadelphia has joined FEMA's Community Rating System! Through this program, Philadelphia residents who hold flood insurance policies via the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will be eligible for a 15 percent discount.The Community Rating System is a voluntary FEMA program that recognizes and rewards communities that take action to reduce flood risk and strengthen floodplain management beyond federal minimum standards. The 15 percent discount will automatically apply to new and renewed NFIP policies written on or after April 1, 2026, with no additional action required from policyholders. Click here to learn more.

Diabetes Management Workshop

The Eastwick Recreation Center will be hosting a free 6-week workshop on diabetes management for individuals with diabetes and their carers. This workshop will be held on Thursdays from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm beginning January 15th. These workshops will include topics like how to address symptoms, improving strength and endurance, eating and meal planning, sugar management, and more!  See the attached flyer for more details and contact Natalie DiDonato at (215) 685-4193 to register.

Toddler Story Time

The Eastwick Recreation Center will be hosting Toddler Story Time on the second Tuesday of the month from 10:30 am to 11:00 am beginning this coming Tuesday, January 13th. See the attached flyer for more details and contact Natalie DiDonato at (215) 685-4193 to register.

This is a reminder that the next Eastwick: From Recovery to Resilience Town Hall meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, December 9th from 6:00-8:00 pm. We will be meeting in person at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge located at 8601 Lindbergh Blvd.

This meeting will be cohosted by Eastwick United, Insurance for Good, and The Office of Sustainability. The evening's topics will include:

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program

Private insurance options

FEMA’s Community Rating System

Potential alternative insurance options

To register for this event, please click here. As usual, registration is not mandatory, but it does help us plan ahead, as dinner will be served.

About a month ago, PGW performed work on Mario Lanza Boulevard, in front of the International City Apartments located behind the Penrose Plaza Shopping Center. During this work, the sidewalk commonly used by individuals with disabilities, including wheelchair users, was damaged. After completing their project, PGW left the sidewalk uneven, inaccessible, and partially blocked by signage during construction hours.

As a result, wheelchair users, seniors who rely on walkers, and other pedestrians are forced to use the street, which poses a serious safety risk.

On behalf of the community, we respectfully request that the city address this issue as soon as possible. We ask that the sidewalk be properly repaired to ensure safe access for people with disabilities, and that PGW be held accountable for removing any remaining construction equipment instead of leaving it scattered on site.

We hope this matter is resolved quickly and that the report is not closed without corrective action. Thank you.

Starting on August 25, 2025, some SEPTA riders will have to find another way to get around as the mass transit agency’s cuts take effect.

Good Afternoon,

Last Saturday we were able to celebrate Eastwick Community Day at the Eastwick Recreation Center with residents and community partners. Community members braved the weather and enjoyed an afternoon of resources and resilience conversations in addition to food, arts and crafts, games, and a special performance from the Eastwick Commandoes! If you have any questions or would like our help connecting you with any of the resources you heard about at Community Day, feel free to reach out via this email address.

Additionally, The Heinz National Wildlife Refuge and Office of Sustainability are co-hosting an Open House at John Heinz National Wildlife refuge to discuss nature-based solutions and the Eastwick Flood Resilience Strategy on Wednesday, July 9th from 5:00-8:00 pm. Eastwick residents are encouraged to share their perspectives and preferences through interactive displays. It will be Open House style, so you can come and go as you please. There will also be a shuttle leaving from the Eastwick Recreation Center to the event every half hour. See the attached flyer for more details!

 Enjoy your weekend!

Best,

Taylor Quinland & Korin Tangtrakul

Place-Based Initiatives Team

Philadelphia Office of Sustainability

The street sign located at the intersection of Lindbergh Boulevard and Eastwick Avenue, which displays the name "Eastwick," is significantly faded and no longer legible. It is recommended that the sign be replaced with a new one.

Mark your calendars for Eastwick Community Day coming up on Saturday, June 7th! Eastwick Community Day will be returning for the third year in a row. Join us for a family friendly event and resource fair where you will have the opportunity to speak with many of the agencies working in the area. There will be food, music, and games for everyone! There is more information on the flyer, and a registration link can be found here. This free event does not require registration, but registering helps us keep you informed about changes to the event, such as adjustments for inclement weather.