Several Philadelphia’s cultural institutions and agencies, including the Academy of Natural Sciences, The Barnes Foundation and WHYY, are offering free summer learning opportunities for children ages 5 and under and their families.

A number of activities and programs have been scheduled at various locations in West Philadelphia through mid-August (for more locations, check out the Summer Pod Brochure 2022):

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Discover, Play, Share: Summer Family Fun

When: July 23 and August 6, 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.

Where: Mt. Vernon Park, 37th and Mt. Vernon St.

What: Outdoor storytimes, puppet shows, STEAM experiments, music, and movement. Take-home learn-and-play kits and snacks. Continue Reading

The Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival is returning Saturday, July 16 live and in-person! The 2022 Festival will be held at Saunders Park Greene (39th & Powelton) from Noon-7 p.m. and promises to be the best one yet.

The all-day event, which celebrates West Philadelphia and jazz musicians, is free and open to the public. It is organized by People’s Emergency Center (PEC), The Producer’s Guild of Philadelphia, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and a committee of community members, with technical assistance from Nu Millennium Media Productions.

The headliner this year is the Orrin Evans Quartet, performing from the TD Bank Main Stage. The Quartet is led by none other than pianist, composer, and independent recording artist Orrin Evans, gracing the Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival stage for the first time. Continue Reading

SEPTA’s Trolley Tunnel, which connects West Philly with Center City, will close for maintenance for more than two weeks starting at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 8. Trolley routes 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36 will not operate in the tunnel for the duration of this annual project titled “Trolley Tunnel Blitz”. Trolley service will begin/end at 40th and Market where riders may switch from/to the Market-Frankford Line.

During the 2022 Trolley Tunnel Blitz, SEPTA crews will conduct heavy cleaning and maintenance at all stations, replace worn track rail at various locations and four miles of overhead contact wire, as well as demolish and rebuild the full length of the eastbound 22nd Street platform.

The tunnel is expected to reopen for trolley service at 5 a.m. on Monday, July 25. For more information, check out this flyer.

Shakespeare in Clark Park

Friends of Clark Park (FCP), the non-profit organization that manages one of West Philly’s most popular public spaces, is already planning for the next year and currently seeking community input. FCP wants to know how and how often you use the park and whether you attend any events there among other things. Does the park need changes or improvements?

Clark Park hosts numerous events and sports activities throughout the year, such as Saturday Farmers Market, Uhuru Flea Market, Spruce Hill May Fair, Shakespeare in Clark Park, Youth Soccer League, Movies in Clark Park, Party in the Park, Woodland Avenue Reunion, and more. In recent years, even more events have launched at the park, such as cinéSPEAK’s outdoor independent film festival, Under the Stars at Clark Park.

Community members are invited to complete a short online survey (click here). The results of the survey will help the Friends of Clark Park to plan how to best utilize the park the space in the upcoming year.

Here’s a great chance to spend some time after dark at The Woodlands and learn more about one of nature’s magnificent creatures – the firefly! A popular summer event, Firefly Night, will return this Wednesday, June 29, from 6 – 9 p.m. to 40th and Woodland as part of the Nature Nights series.

At the event, guests can watch for fireflies in The Woodlands after dark, all while enjoying a sweet treat from the Popalong Truck. You can also learn about The Discovery Center and have fun with a nature activity. Tangle Movement Arts will present a firefly-inspired aerial performance. After the aerial performance, there will be a chance to explore the Philadelphia Orchard Project (POP) learning orchard located near Woodland Avenue.

Don’t forget to pack a picnic and a flashlight! Continue Reading

An artist’s rendering of an improved off-street trolley station planned by SEPTA.

SEPTA is working on a Trolley Modernization Project, a multi-year effort that includes the replacement of its entire fleet of trolleys with new, longer and more accessible light rail vehicles. The plan also includes the reconstruction of trolley stations to make the platforms more accessible, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A new trolley line will also be added in the Parkside area as part of this project.

Currently, SEPTA is gathering feedback from the community via an online survey. This short survey provides some additional information on the project and asks for your opinion on different elements, such as the design of the new vehicles and stations, trolley service, and more.

For more information about this project and to access the survey, go here.