The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of August 12th

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.

Welcome to this week's edition of The Eastwick Bulletin!

As summer winds down and we prepare for the back-to-school season, our community is seeing significant investments in our natural spaces and grappling with ongoing challenges regarding flood mitigation and public safety. This week, we celebrate a major funding milestone for the restoration of Cobbs Creek, address urgent community concerns about flood protection priorities and recent neighborhood safety incidents, and share a comprehensive list of back-to-school events and resources for Eastwick families.

🌟 POSITIVE UPDATE: $2 Million State Grant Advances Cobbs Creek Restoration

We are thrilled to share that the Cobbs Creek Foundation has been awarded a $2 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant from the state of Pennsylvania. Announced by State Representative Morgan Cephas, this significant funding will support the multi-phase redevelopment project to restore and reimagine the historic Cobbs Creek site as a premier hub for community, education, and recreation in West and Southwest Philadelphia.

The comprehensive restoration project, which began in May 2025, is scheduled for completion by summer 2027. The initiative goes far beyond revitalizing the historic 18-hole Olde Course and the 9-hole Karakung Course. It includes the vital ecological restoration of three miles of Cobbs Creek and the addition of more than 25 acres of wetlands. These environmental improvements will help manage stormwater and improve water quality, directly benefiting downstream communities like Eastwick.

Furthermore, the project emphasizes community accessibility and education. Funds generated from recreational amenities will funnel directly back into the Smilow Woodland TGR Learning Lab, which already serves thousands of local students annually. This $2 million state investment represents a powerful commitment to environmental stewardship, youth education, and community green space that will benefit our region for generations to come.

🚨 URGENT COMMUNITY CONCERN: Flood Protection Priorities and Public Safety

The Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition Inc. continues to advocate for comprehensive, permanent solutions to the flooding and safety challenges that disproportionately impact our neighborhood. This week, we are highlighting two critical areas of concern that require immediate attention from city and federal officials.

The Demand for Permanent Flood Protection:

As recent heavy rains and flood watches have once again threatened our basements and properties, community frustration is growing over the pace and scale of flood mitigation efforts. While we acknowledge the recent $1.38 million federal grant for temporary flood barriers (with design starting next spring), residents are rightly asking when permanent solutions will be implemented. The ongoing pattern of studies and temporary fixes is insufficient for a community built on filled marshland adjacent to a Superfund site. Because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has determined that a levee project will not advance because of downstream effects, EFNC continues to demand a permanent solution to flooding, holds polluters accountable, and calls for rigorous evaluation of the flood impact of any new development permits issued in Eastwick.

Recent Public Safety Incident:

In addition to environmental safety, physical safety remains a top priority. Early Monday morning, August 10, an off-duty Philadelphia police officer fired shots during an attempted car theft near South 70th Street and Waxwing Place in Eastwick. While the officer was uninjured and the suspects fled without the targeted vehicle, incidents like this underscore the need for comprehensive community safety strategies. EFNC encourages residents to remain vigilant, participate in local Town Watch programs, and attend the upcoming 12th District Police Community Meetings to voice concerns and collaborate on neighborhood safety solutions.

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS

🎒 Book Bag Giveaway - Saturday, August 22

The 12th District Community Relations is presenting a FREE Book Bag Giveaway to help students prepare for the upcoming school year!

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026

Time: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: 12th Police District, 65th & Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA

In addition to free book bags, the event will feature free snacks, free haircuts, and free braiding, all while supplies last. This is a fantastic opportunity for families to get their children ready for back-to-school season. Come out and connect with your community!

👮 Coffee with Cops at McDonald's

Join your neighborhood Philadelphia Police officers for coffee, conversation, and community connection every last Tuesday of the month at McDonald's, 60th & Woodland Avenue, at 9:30 AM.

The next upcoming date is Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Remaining 2026 dates include September 29, October 27, November 24, and December 29. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet your local officers in a relaxed, friendly setting. For more information, call 215-686-3122.

🚔 12th District Police Community Meetings: July - December 2026

The Philadelphia Police Department's 12th District invites all residents to attend their regular Police Community Meetings, held throughout the district at multiple locations. All meetings begin at 6:00 PM.

Upcoming August meetings are as follows:

These meetings are your opportunity to voice concerns, learn about public safety initiatives, and connect directly with the officers who serve our neighborhoods. For more information, call 215-686-3122 or scan the QR code on the flyer to find your PSA.

💡COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Philly 311 Non-Emergency Services Report illegal dumping, abandoned vehicles, overgrown vacant lots, and other neighborhood concerns through the Philly 311 system. Use the mobile app, online portal, or call 3-1-1 to submit service requests

Heat Relief Resources During extreme heat events, access cooling centers throughout Philadelphia by calling 311 or visiting ReadyPhiladelphia.org. The Clean Air Council's Flooding and Heat Resilience Toolkit provides comprehensive information about heat preparedness and resources.

Eastwick Library Summer Programs The Free Library of Philadelphia's Eastwick branch offers free summer programs for youth and families, including video games, arts and crafts, educational activities, and more. Call (215) 685-4193 for more information.

📸 SEND US YOUR PHOTOS

We love seeing Eastwick through your eyes! Whether it is a beautiful sunset over the refuge, a community gathering, or your thriving garden, please share your photos with us. Selected images will be featured in upcoming newsletters and on our social media pages. Email your photos to [email protected] with a brief description and photo credit.

🗣️ FUTURE TOPICS: WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

We want to hear from you! What issues, events, or stories would you like to see covered in future editions of The Eastwick Bulletin? Your input ensures that this newsletter remains a valuable resource for our community. Send your suggestions to[email protected].

🤝 ABOUT EFNC AND JOIN OUR BOARD

The Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition Inc. (EFNC) is dedicated to environmental justice, community advocacy, and sustainable development in Eastwick. We are currently seeking passionate community members to join our Board of Directors. If you have skills in community organizing, communications, grant writing, or simply a deep love for our neighborhood, we want to hear from you. Visit our website at eastwickfnc.org to learn more and apply.

📢 SHARE THE WORD

Please forward this newsletter to your neighbors, friends, and family in Eastwick. Encourage them to subscribe so we can continue to build a strong, informed, and connected community. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Until next time,
The EFNC Team