The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of April 1st

Serving the residents and neighbors of Eastwick, Southwest Philadelphia, since our founding. The Eastwick Bulletin is published weekly to keep our community informed, connected, and empowered.

A Message from the Coalition

Happy April, Eastwick! Spring has officially arrived, and with it comes a season full of community programs, garden events, and important news that affects our neighborhood. This week, we are sharing a significant update on the federal levee proposal that has been at the center of Eastwick's flood resilience planning for years, along with a preview of the City's upcoming Flood Resilience Strategy. We also have a full calendar of spring events to help you get outside, connect with neighbors, and enjoy everything our community has to offer. Thank you for reading and for staying engaged.

MAJOR UPDATE: Federal Levee Plan Significantly Scaled Back

This week, WHYY News reported a major development in Eastwick's long-running flood protection effort: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has officially scrapped its original plan to build a 15-foot earthen levee along Cobbs Creek. The Corps is now investigating a new design that would stand just 8 feet above ground level, roughly half the height of the original proposal.

Why was the original plan changed?

The original 15-foot levee, unveiled in 2023 after years of study, was designed to dramatically reduce the impact of a 100-year storm and would have prevented an estimated $4 million in flood damage per year. However, Army Corps modeling found that the levee would push water up and downstream, causing additional flooding for up to 328 structures in neighboring Delaware County. Despite years of effort, engineers were unable to find a way to eliminate this problem, leading to the decision to explore a lower design.

What does the new 8-foot design mean for Eastwick?

The shorter levee would still provide some protection, particularly against smaller, more frequent floods such as the one caused by Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020. However, it would not protect against the larger 100-year storms that have historically caused the most damage in Eastwick, including floods similar to those brought by Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and Hurricane Irene in 2011. In short, major storm events would still overtop the new design.

Korin Tangtrakul, Senior Manager of Place-Based Initiatives with the City's Office of Sustainability, acknowledged the challenge directly: "That lower levee height means it's playing less of an effective role in addressing the major source of flooding. So it really makes the other measures in the flood-resilience strategy all that more important, because we're going to need redundancy. We're going to need backup solutions if there's an event that comes through and the levee overtops."

Even the lower 8-foot design may cause some additional flooding in nearby areas. The Army Corps is still analyzing whether that is the case, and the earliest construction could begin is 2030. The project would also need to compete for federal funding, and the City would need to raise its share, approximately 35% of the total cost.

What comes next?

The City of Philadelphia's Office of Sustainability expects to release the Eastwick Flood Resilience Strategy in the coming weeks. This seven-point plan brings together a range of solutions, including the revised levee proposal, voluntary home buyouts, and nature-based stormwater management projects. The strategy is the result of a FEMA-funded planning effort involving the City, a council of Eastwick residents, and the engineering firm Arcadis.

The Coalition and its partner, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, will continue to monitor this process closely and ensure community voices are part of every step. We encourage all residents to attend the upcoming Virtual Town Hall (details below) to hear directly from City officials and ask questions.

LOOKING AHEAD: Voluntary Home Buyouts Under Consideration

As part of the upcoming Flood Resilience Strategy, the City is also exploring voluntary home buyouts as an option for residents who wish to leave the floodplain. City officials have emphasized that participation would be entirely voluntary.

"We don't want people to feel trapped in Eastwick," said Korin Tangtrakul. "If they want to leave, we want to give them the ability to leave and not feel like they're passing that risk on to the next homeowner. We also want people to stay if they want to stay."

Several important questions remain unanswered. Because many Eastwick homes are attached rowhouses, the City must determine whether individual households can accept buyouts independently or whether an entire block would need to agree together. Federal rules generally require that bought-out properties be demolished and converted to open space, which raises structural concerns for attached homes. The City is also working to determine eligibility criteria and how much residents would be offered, potentially at pre-flood market value or with added incentives to remain within the neighborhood.

Officials are also exploring the possibility of developing new housing on publicly owned land outside the floodplain, giving residents a place to relocate within the community they love.

The Coalition will share more details as the Flood Resilience Strategy is released. Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact us directly or attend the March 26 Virtual Town Hall.

COBBS CREEK RESTORATION: Project Continues This Spring

While flood protection planning continues, the $9.1 million Cobbs Creek restoration project is moving forward on a separate but related track. The project, announced by Mayor Parker's administration in early March, will create 25 acres of new floodplain wetlands, plant 49,000 native trees and plants, and restore the historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course. Spring and summer 2026 will bring increased construction activity along the creek corridor.

The Coalition and its partner, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, continue to monitor the project closely to ensure community concerns are heard and that construction impacts are minimized. Residents who observe issues or have concerns are encouraged to report them to us at eastwickfnc.org, and we will pass them along to the appropriate city agencies.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: Eastwick Library Spring Events

Eastwick Library is welcoming spring with a full schedule of programs for children, teens, and adults. The library serves as a vital community hub, and its upcoming events offer something for every age group.

Please note: The library will have adjusted hours this week in observance of the Easter holiday. The library closes at 1:00 PM on Thursday, April 2, is closed on Good Friday, April 3, and is closed on Easter Sunday, April 5.

Social Services at the Library (Thursday, April 2, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM): A licensed social worker will be available for open office hours. No appointment is needed. Residents can receive free, confidential help finding, navigating, and connecting to community and government resources. Note the adjusted hours this week due to the holiday. For questions, email [email protected] or call (215) 814-4492.

Global Braid Club (Monday, April 6, 4:00 PM): Youth ages 10-18 are invited to learn about different parts of the world through the hands-on practice of braiding and art techniques. Participants will create art and style hair based on cultural hair traditions from around the globe. Registration is not required, and light refreshments will be provided.

Sand Art Craft (Tuesday, April 7, 4:30 PM): Children are invited to create art with sand and a bottle in this fun, hands-on craft program.

Po-Ke-No Game (Monday, April 13, 4:30 PM): Join the library and win prizes playing Po-Ke-No, a classic board game that combines elements of poker and keno. Open to all ages.

LEGOS (Saturday, April 25, 2:00 PM): Children ages 5 and up are invited to build and create with LEGO bricks.

Eastwick Library is located at 2851 Island Avenue (Island Ave. and Lindbergh Blvd.), Philadelphia, PA 19153. Phone: (215) 685-4170.

NATURE & COMMUNITY: Spring at Bartram's Garden

Bartram's Garden is bursting with spring activity this April, offering programs for families, gardeners, artists, and community advocates alike.

Little Explorers: Grow It! (Wednesday, April 1, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM): Toddlers and preschoolers ages 2-4 and their caregivers are invited to plant seeds to take home and watch them grow. This program runs on the first and third Wednesday of each month through November. Bring a snack!

Horticulture Volunteer Day (Saturday, April 12, 9:30 AM): Volunteers will support seasonal plantings, weeding, and invasive species removal. Registered volunteers meet at the Welcome Center promptly at 9:30 AM. Capacity is limited, so register in advance.

Sankofa Community Farm Volunteer Day (Saturday, April 12, 9:30 AM): Volunteers will work alongside Farm staff to support seasonal plantings, harvesting, weeding, and orchard support. Meet at the Sankofa Community Farm at 9:30 AM.

Photo Weaving Workshop (Saturday, April 12): Artist and educator Kara Mshinda will guide participants through photo weaving, a tactile technique that layers two photographs together using a basket weave pattern to create an entirely new image. A wonderful opportunity for creative expression.

SWWAG Workshop: Building Your Home Garden Bed (Saturday, April 12): This workshop for beginner gardeners covers the basics of raised bed agriculture, including planning, building, and sustaining a raised bed. Participants will also learn about using found and recycled materials.

Climate Resilience Plan Community Workshop (Saturday, April 12): Bartram's Garden and ACANA are hosting a community workshop in collaboration with the City of Philadelphia's Office of Sustainability. The workshop is designed around local experiences and asks: How is extreme weather affecting your daily life? What does your neighborhood need to be better prepared? This is a critical opportunity for Eastwick and Southwest Philadelphia residents to shape the City's climate resilience planning.

Little Explorers: What's Buzzing and Blooming? (Wednesday, April 15, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM): Another session of the beloved Little Explorers series for toddlers and preschoolers ages 2-4.

Spring Fest (Saturday, April 18, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM): Bartram's Garden's annual, rain-or-shine celebration of spring! This year's free, family-friendly event features a medicinal herbs plant walk (10-11 AM), a historic archives show and tell (10 AM-2 PM), a solo vibraphone performance, and more. A wonderful day to bring the whole family.

For more information and to register for events, visit bartramsgarden.org or call (215) 729-5281.

🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark Your Calendar

Here is a look at what is happening in and around Eastwick over the next two weeks:

COMING SOON

Eastwick Flood Resilience Strategy: The City of Philadelphia's Office of Sustainability is expected to release its comprehensive seven-point flood resilience plan for Eastwick in the coming weeks. The Coalition will share details as soon as they are available. Watch this newsletter for updates.

Eastwick Community Day (May 9, 2026): Mark your calendars for the annual Eastwick Community Day, taking place from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Eastwick Regional Playground. This free community celebration features food, activities, and connection. Interested in volunteering? Email [email protected].

LIBRARY HOLIDAY CLOSINGS: April Reminders

KNOW YOUR RESOURCES

Whether you need help with flooding, environmental concerns, or connecting to city services, these contacts are here for you:

ABOUT THE EASTWICK FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS COALITION

The Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition Inc (EFNC) brings together community stakeholders to plan and advocate for an environmentally, economically, and socially just Eastwick. We believe that every resident deserves a safe, healthy, and thriving neighborhood, and we work alongside our neighbors, partner organizations, and city agencies to make that vision a reality.

Until next time,
The EFNC Team