Come to the Friends of Clark Park general membership meeting this coming Monday, 7/20, at 7 PM in Griffith Hall Lecture Hall A. Griffith is the big USciences building across from the park just north of Woodland.
We’ll talk about trash in the park, summer garden maintenance, and lots more exciting topics. You can join at the meeting if you’re not a member yet.
As spring fades into summer, Clark Park invites leisurely hanging out. It’s fun to enjoy the tranquility of the scene and to watch fellow West Philadelphians go about their pleasant (and sometimes colorful) ways.
But there are lively organized activities coming up soon as well.
This Saturday, may 30, the Philadelphia Pétanque Tournament will hold forth in the Central Plaza of the North Park from 10 am to 4 pm. Teams will compete all day long in this unique French bowling game, which involves tossing, not rolling, steel balls toward a puck. It’s easy to play — although hard to play well. And it can be mesmerizing to watch.
On Saturday, Jun 13, the Uhuru People’s Fleamarket will be held in the Middle Park, at 43rd & Chester. Browsers enjoy poking through its aisles looking for items that pique their ciuriosity or things they never knew they needed until that moment. The fleamarket runs from 9 am to 5 pm.
On saturday, Jun 20, the Clark Park Music & Arts Solstice Festival will continue its tradition of more than 40 years in the Bowl. A diverse cross-section of up-and-coming musical acts will show what the Philly music scene is capapble of! A wide variety of fine artists and craftsmen will display their wares.
How the beergarden works; if you are a new or renewing member who reups at the party, your first Dock Street beer is free; $3 thereafter. Nonmembers’ beer is $5. So you don’t have to join to enjoy!
Membership levels: Patron = $50 (2 votes/tickets), Household = $25 (2 votes/tickets), Individuals = $20, Student/Senior/Limited Income = $10.
The Philadelphia Cultural Alliance & Parks Alliance teamed to host a mayoral panel discussion at the Free Library last Monday. It was the best chance for park supporters to hear the candidates’ thoughts on parks.
Phila. Parks Alliance Exec. Dir. Lauren Bornfriend introduces mayoral panel on parks & culture at Central Free Library. Jim Kenney, Tony Williams, Lynne Abraham & Melissa Bailey were on stage then; Nelson Díaz & Doug Oliver arrived shortly thereafter.
Lynne Abraham pressed her fondness for Independence Mall as the ideal park. She hailed the influx of private-charity money from the Knight Foundation & the William Penn Foundation as the best way to fund park improvements. Current PPR Deputy Mayor Mike DiBerardinis is “a keeper,” in her words, whom she would seek to retain as Mayor.
Melissa Bailey, the Republican candidate, runs her 4-year-old child in Starr Garden’s youth-soccer program. She insisted that education comes first in the City budget but said the PPR budget could be increased.
Nelson Díaz is drawn to the Forbidden Drive, where he ran for many years. He deplored the dilapidation of too many rec centers & vowed he would increase the PPR budget by 10%.
Jim Kenney said his dream park is Franklin Square, which he called “the best children’s park in the USA.” He called Rec workers “heroes” who had inspired him as a youth. He thought advertising & other marketing opportunities could boost revenue for parks.
Doug Oliver grew up in Germantown & vividly recalls hitting home runs in Vernon Park. He insisted that Philadelphia’s top budget priority is schools but stated that PPR’s physical training was an essential complement to the School District’s academics.
Tony Williams grew up across from Cobbs Creek Park & still lives in that house. His mother, a science teacher, founded an environmental center in that park. He would increase the PPR budget by $1 million. Like Kenney he advocated private-sector funding opportunities such as branding, & tapping famous Philadelphians to give back to their city.
There are more meetings to attend on 4224 Baltimore! Going to meetings is our best means of showing our support for U3’s exciting mixed-use development project in the vacant lot at 43rd and Baltimore.
First is a City Planning Commission hearing, Tuesday, April 28th,1 PM to 4 PM, 1515 Arch Street, room 18-029.
The most important meeting, the meeting to attend if you’re only going to attend one, is with the Zoning Board, the body that will actually decide whether the project can happen. It’s Wednesday, April 29th, 4 PM, 1515 Arch Street, room 18-002.
See you there!
Don’t forget to come to the Friends of Clark Park general meeting this coming Monday, 4/20, at 7 PM in Griffith Hall, Lecture Hall A. It’s the big USciences building on the east side of 43rd Street just above Woodland. We’ll talk about upcoming climactic zoning hearings on 4224 Baltimore, and volunteer opportunities for our Party in Clark Park beer garden on May 16th, and so much more.
Our friends at U3 Ventures are formally applying for their zoning variance to build the exciting mixed-use project at 4224 Baltimore Ave. They’ve held many community meetings and adapted their plans for our feedback, and now they’re making their case at a Civic Design Review on Tuesday, 4/7, at 1 PM.
Come show your support! We think a building project with locally-oriented storefronts, a nice gym, ample parking, and a sponsor who cares about our neighborhood would be a great addition. The meeting is open to the public, and attending is the best way to show the review board that we want this project to happen.
Clark Park Soccer’s spring season got off to a great (but chilly!) start last Saturday. There are still a few spaces in all age groups; we’ll continue taking new registrations where there is space through Saturday April 4th. If you’d like to register a child between ages 5 and 11, please contact clarkparksoccer@yahoo.com, or see our Soccer page for more information.
Come to Rosenberger Hall (43rd Street just south of the basketball courts) on Saturday, March 28th, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm for walk-in registration, or register now online and avoid the line on Saturday! Ages 5-11, season runs from March 28th through May 16th.
The spring season of Clark Park Youth Soccer will begin on Saturday, March 28th. Registration has begun for children ages 5 to 11. Visit our Soccer webpage to register by mail or online.
We’re still looking for volunteer coaches for the spring season. You don’t have to be a soccer superstar — if you enjoy working with kids and know the basic skills of the game, we can use your help! Interested? Contact us at clarkparksoccer@gmail.com for more info.