When the Friends of Schuylkill River Park formed ten years ago, members had their eyes only on gaining access to a newly opened recreation area, but with that victory in their pocket they refocused their vision to put out the word of their success so that other groups could learn from it.
The fruit of that effort is a documentary film that was screened Thursday, July 17, in the Academy of Natural Science auditorium. A discussion of the community activism that the fight followed the screening.
"Free the River Park" tells the story of how citizens worked to create and preserve at-grade access to the then-newly-opened exercise trail along the Schuylkill River despite strong objections from CSX railroad, which owns the rail lines that separate the park from the trail.
But more than providing a slice of history and community activism, the documentary looks at the modern and political strategies that the community used to eventually reach its goal. [more...]
Philadelphia, an avid, raging, tempestuous, and sometimes vengeful sports town, has buried more than its share of legendary sports stadiums: Frankford Stadium, National League Park, and Shibe Park aka Connie Mack Stadium, and in recent years, JFK Stadium and the Vet. Soon, following in 2008-2009 hockey and soccer seasons, the Spectrum, that venerable old carouser, that patriarch of sport, that iconic edifice with a rich entertainment heritage, will join the brethren in that big sports graveyard in the sky.
Now, even months before its burial, the talk show hosts, newspaper columnists, and bloggers are delivering eulogies. And why not! The Spectrum has housed so many spectacular sporting and entertainment events that thousands, with many claiming it, will attend its funeral well before its time. [more...]
By Richard Carreńo | Special to the Weekly Press | 23.JUL.08
To his credit, Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey says he wants revive the Police Department’s moribund mounted unit. But in the next breath he pulls up the reins, sits deep in the saddle, and, in so many words, says, ‘Whoa, Nelly, not so fast!’
First, the new horse unit -- the old one was put down by former Mayor John F. Street in 2005 in one of his classic hissy fits over expenses -- wouldn’t be tacked up until year’s end, at best. The problem (make that problems), according to Ramsey, are the acquisition of mounts, stabling, and -- hark, shades of Street -- funding.
Actually, maintaining the mounted unit has never been about money. [more...]
Mayor Nutter made these announcements at two consecutive press conferences at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and at Hawthorne Park. He was joined by:Governor Edward G. Rendell, Mark Focht (Fairmount Park), Don Kimelman (Pew), Paul Levy (Parkway Council), Blaine Bonham (Pennsylvania Horticultural Society), and Gail Harrity (Art Museum).
By Haywood Brewster | 17.JUL.08 Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced today that a total of $19.25 million will be invested in reinvigorating the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and in developing Hawthorne Park, a community green space at 12th and Catharine.
“A revitalized Parkway with new art, lighting, street improvements and enhanced green spaces will be a huge asset for both Philadelphians and visitors to our city,” said Mayor Nutter. “Today we are also demonstrating our commitment to community development with the announcement of funding and a development plan for Hawthorne Park at 12th and Catharine, a neighborhood green space that will now move forward after years of planning and [more...]
