Over 65 parks across Philadelphia will host volunteer clean-up events on Saturday, Nov. 14 as part of the bi-annual “Love Your Park” Service Day.

Residents are encouraged to join local Park Friends groups and help them clean up parks after a busy summer season, collect leaves for compost, plant trees and flower bulbs, and more.

Clean up events are being organized at many West Philly and Southwest Philly parks as well, including Clark Park (43rd and Baltimore), Cedar Park (49th and Baltimore), Malcolm X. Park (51st and Pine), Barkan Park (50th and Spruce), Carroll Park (58th and Girard), Cobbs Creek Park (Cobbs Creek Pkwy and Whitby), Bartram’s Garden (54th and Lindbergh) and more.  Continue Reading

Hundreds of residents gathered in Clark Park on Saturday to protest a rally planned in the park by far-right group “Proud Boys,” which never materialized. People held “Black Lives Matter,” “Fascists Go Home!” and other signs. Instead of confrontation, a peaceful pro-diversity rally ensued that included participation of local community leaders and West Philly-elected officials.

“These people came here to divide us, but look what they have done,” City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier said during the rally.  Continue Reading

The Food Trust, the organization that hosts Clark Park Farmers Markets, has adjusted hours of operation for this week’s market due to a rally planned at the park by the far-right group “Proud Boys.” The market will be held this Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Due to the shortened duration of the market, The Food Trust will not have their usual designated shopping hours for senior and immunocompromised residents. Additional details about vendor participation and pre-orders can be found here. Market operations will return to normal hours on Saturday, Sept. 26: from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  Continue Reading

West Philly is preparing to a gathering/rally of neo-fascist group “Proud Boys” in Clark Park reportedly happening this Saturday.

Due to the planned gathering and anticipated response from residents and local anti-fascist groups, City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) has issued a statement where she denounces the event “being promoted by a known white nationalist group” that have “selected a highly visible location and time for the event in order to maximize tensions and create a spectacle.”

“Let us be perfectly clear: our community is purposely being targeted for this event because of our diversity and our progressive values,” the statement reads. “The rally and the views this group espouse run counter to everything we stand for… I think I speak for all of us when I say: Go home. You are unwelcome, and we don’t want you here.”  Continue Reading

West Philly Local readers came across two mysterious “installations” in the northern section of Clark Park (Clark Park “A”) near 43rd and Baltimore. The first one appeared in the last couple of days and is apparently growing with new items being added. It looks like someone was moving and decided to bring their unwanted stuff to the park, but it’s kinda organized to resemble a room or a part of a house. Check it out:

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April is the month when many folks start visiting local garden centers to buy plants for their gardens. Many plant sales are also held in April or early May. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, all physical plant sales have been cancelled and garden centers have been closed unless they’re a part of a larger store, like Lowe’s. So what can you do? Here are a few options where you can order plants and pick them up locally.

Since the annual Spruce Hill May Fair has been cancelled, the University City Garden Club is holding an online plant sale (until 11 a.m. on Monday, April 20). There is a large selection of annuals and perennials, and herb and vegetable plants. Orders will be available for pickup on Saturday, May 2 on Woodland Terrace near the 40th Street Trolley Portal. Go here for more info and to shop.  Continue Reading