Walnut Hill Community Association » 2011 grant projects

In spring and summer 2011, we worked on 3 projects that were awarded grant funds from NeighborWorks America and Preservation Alliance. If you would like more information on any of the grant projects or have new ideas for grant projects, please contact Walnut Hill Community Association at walnuthillevents@gmail.com. We would be happy to share what we’ve done (including some lessons learned) or for you to share your ideas with us.

Garden projects – Preservation Alliance Vital Neighborhoods Initiative large grant project
The Vital Neighborhoods large grant was to develop 3 lots in Walnut Hill into thriving community gardens. We transformed 2 lots on 50th Street, 208 and 214, in spring and summer. We have submitted an application to purchase the 3rd lot at 219 S 49th Street in August 2011 and are currently waiting on a decision by the Office of Real Estate Development, Philadelphia Department of Public Property.

With input from neighbors and residents in May, we designed the gardens to have communal plantings as well as individual garden plots for individual gardeners to use. The arrival of the raised bed planters allowed gardeners to put in their plantings before the hot weather started. Click on the tab “50th St grant-funded garden project” on the left for pictures of this summer’s bounty.

The two lots were cleared on May 7 and on May 21 we planted a weeping willow, azaleas, blueberry bushes, ilexes, rose of sharon and gladiolas in both. There are also new herb plantings in the bench planters. We held an herb gardening workshop in October following the fall clean-up of the gardens and workshop attendees harvested quantities of sage, thyme, parsley, and basil.

Membershipr drive – NeighborWorks America CLI project
The NeighborWorks America CLI grant provided funding for membership drives held on block clean-up days in the spring targeting blocks that have at least 1 WHCA member or a participating block captain. Funds were also utilized to supply the membership table at this year’s Community Day on July 16.

Banners for Walnut Hill – Preservation Alliance Vital Neighborhoods Initiative small grant project>
The goal of this project is to strengthen community unity in Walnut Hill. WHCA installed banners identifying the Walnut Hill neighborhood, in key locations throughout the community. The banners are one way to increase awareness of the neighborhood and promote Walnut Hill. These banners have been installed at streets corners that include key transportation hubs, historical cultural site, and important education and recreation hubs. They include:
 Farragut & Market, Farragut & Chestnut – El Stop at 46th & Market
 Farragut & Walnut, 46th & Walnut – transfer point for bus routes 21, 31, 64; retail including gas station, neighborhood bar, mom & pop grocery store, Laundromat, child care center
 47th & Locust – Lea Elementary School
 50th between Chancellor & Locust – 50th St gardens
 49th & Chestnut – new West Philadelphia High School
 47th & Sansom – Walnut Hill playground rebuilt with support from Walnut Hill Community Association
These locations have been selected for their vital functions (e.g. transportation, retail, education, and play) thus allowing us to take advantage of the high pedestrian traffic volume that these locations generate. As some of these sites are “everyday” places, we hope to build neighborhood identifications amongst Walnut Hill residents who take the El or bus everyday, go to school everyday or enjoy the playground everyday