For years people in West Philly have walked past Squirrel Hill Falls Park on the northwest corner of 48th and Chester and wondered what had happened.

The former vacant lot, which was transformed into a neighborhood gem complete with a mural, solar-powered waterfall, seating, lighting and sound system 15 years ago, is now just a dressed-up, locked-down vacant lot again. But the park’s controversial history will take a turn for the better this week when a group of volunteers will meet there on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to clean the lot up and try to make it a park again.

The park was the brainchild of West Philly artist Danielle Rousseau Hunter, whose name is still emblazoned in large letters on the park’s grand metal entrance gate. Hunter raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from a fairly astonishing list of donors (see the full story here and here) to design and build the park, which includes a three-story waterfall mural on the side of an apartment building.

The park opened with a black tie ceremony in September 1996. Since then many residents say Hunter has treated it like her fiefdom, locking it and only allowing visitors to enter under her supervision. But for many years the park has not been used and is now littered with trash and debris and overgrown with weeds. A bicycle cable lock still keeps the front gate closed.

But contrary to popular belief, Hunter does not own the land, the Friends Rehabilitation Program Inc., an affordable housing provider located at 247 S. 48th St., does. One or two people there have taken a renewed interest in the park and have been able to get insurance to again allow limited access. There are no plans for an official “opening” of the park, although if there is community interest more access could be possible in the future.

The first step is Sunday’s clean-up. Volunteers and some equipment, particularly garbage bags and garden disposal bag (the big paper ones) are still needed. There is no need to RSVP or anything. Just show up. They could use the help.

Plainclothes police arrested two youths who attempted to rob two pedestrians at gunpoint in quick succession near 47th and Warrington and 48th and Springfield late Wednesday night.

A 59-year-old man was walking his dog at about 11 p.m. on the 4700 block of Warrington when a young man, who police later identified as a 17-year-old, jumped out of the bushes and tried to rob him, police said. The man turned to run but was met by another 17-year-old who swung at him. The older man blocked the punch, hit the young man in the face and fled. Both youths chased the man, who managed to attract the attention of several more pedestrians who came to help him. The two youths fled.

About 10 minutes later a 31-year-old male was walking near 48th and Springfield when he was tapped on the shoulder. He turned around to see a young man pointing a gun at him. The male, who police say was also involved in the first robbery, demanded that he empty his pockets. When the man said he had nothing in his pockets the young man struck him in the face with the gun and rifled through his pockets before fleeing on foot. The victim suffered a broken nose.

Plainclothes police who had been alerted to the first robbery observed the second and caught one suspect after a brief pursuit. The second suspect fled down Springfield Avenue and was caught near an alley where police also recovered a BB gun pistol.

Both defendants, whose names were not released because they are juveniles, were charged with the robberies and police say they are investigating their possible involvement in other robberies in the area involving youths in recent weeks.
 

There is a dangerous sinkhole on the 4800 block of Baltimore Avenue. A reader Joe described it as about two feet deep and stretching at least a couple feet in either direction. It is in the middle of the bike lane on the north side of the 4800 block, in front of 4827/29.

“Don’t let its demure appearance fool you. It wants to eat you and your bike,” Joe warns.
 

Today’s dog is Petunia, an adult female pit bull terrier mix with dark “chocolately”-black fur.

Petunia currently resides at PSPCA’s Animal Care & Control Team (ACCT). She came in as a stray.

Little Petunia is a sweet and extremely affectionate dog. She is gentle and calm and wants nothing more than to climb on your lap. Petunia really could use some TLC so she can bloom into a beautiful flower.

Petunia does well with her dog meets and in fact doesn’t show much interest in the other dogs but instead wants to be pet and get loving by her human friends. Although she doesn’t show much interest in cats, she has some scratches on her face that are consistent with cat scratches so it may be better for Petunia to live in a house without cats.

She is a very calm dog and would make a wonderful cuddle buddy. Whether you are watching TV or taking a stroll to the ice cream parlor – Petunia makes a great companion. She is a medium to low energy dog. Because she is past the puppy stage, she isn’t jumpy or mouthy and would probably be great with children.

If you are interested in Petunia and have dogs of your own, please bring at least one of them to make sure there is no major personality clash. Please also bring proof that you are allowed to have dogs/cats at your home if you rent or be prepared that the adoption staff will call your landlord before approving your application.

If you would like to adopt or foster Petunia or need more information please call 267-385-3800 or stop by ACCT (111 W. Hunting Park Avenue).
 

A German Shepherd/Pit Bull mix has been missing for some time in the West Philadelphia/University City area.

The dog is very friendly, will answer to Peaches. She has a red collar with a green tag.

If you see her, please call 267-303-9096 or 215-391-7397. A $50 reward is offered to anyone who finds her.

A 36-year-old man was mugged by 10-12 young males on the 4600 block of Chester Avenue on Monday night, police said.

Police say the youths punched the man, who was a house guest at a nearby residence, and stole his cell phone and laptop at about 11 p.m. He refused medical attention. The youths were not armed and no arrests have so far been made.

The West Philly resident with whom the man is staying wrote us that:

“It seems like there has been an uptick in muggings in the “triangle” between Baltimore and Woodland and 40th and the Kingsessing rec center which is usually pretty quiet compared to the main East-West streets (Walnut, Spruce).”