The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of July 15th

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 we move into mid-July, our neighborhood continues to thrive with vibrant community programs and services for families and residents of all ages. This week, we celebrate the excellent summer programming at Eastwick Regional Playground, share important updates on the future of flood mitigation in Eastwick, and highlight upcoming community events and opportunities.

🌟 POSITIVE UPDATE: Eastwick Regional Playground — A Hub of Summer Fun and Community Connection

As summer heats up, the Eastwick Regional Playground continues to be a vital community resource, offering comprehensive programs and activities that bring our neighborhood together. Located at 80th Street and Mars Place, this beloved recreation center is thriving with energy and opportunity.

Summer Day Camp in Full Swing

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation's summer day camp at Eastwick Regional Playground is now in full operation, running through August 14, 2026. The camp welcomes children ages 6-12 for Monday through Friday programming from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Campers enjoy a full range of activities including breakfast and lunch, swimming, sports, arts and crafts, educational activities, games, and exciting field trips.

We are encouraged that Philadelphia Parks & Recreation continues to invest in Eastwick's youth and families. The camp represents a commitment to providing safe, enriching summer experiences for our children during the school break. For families concerned about affordability, limited fee waivers are available. To register your child or learn more about available scholarships, call (215) 685-4193.

More Than Just Summer Camp

Beyond the summer camp, Eastwick Regional Playground serves as a year-round recreation hub offering sports facilities, open green spaces for community gatherings, and ongoing programs for residents of all ages. The playground features multiple tennis courts, basketball courts, and open fields—making it an ideal location for neighborhood events, family picnics, and community celebrations.

Whether you're looking for structured summer activities for your children or simply seeking a safe, welcoming space for outdoor recreation and community connection, Eastwick Regional Playground delivers. We encourage all Eastwick families to take advantage of these valuable resources right in our neighborhood.

⚠️ COMMUNITY CONCERN: Reevaluating Flood Mitigation Following Army Corps Decision

Eastwick residents have long awaited a comprehensive solution to the chronic flooding that has battered our neighborhood for decades. For over ten years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has studied the feasibility of constructing a levee along Cobbs Creek to protect our low-lying streets from devastating overflow during major storm events like Hurricane Floyd and Tropical Storm Isaias.

However, we recently received the disappointing news that the Army Corps has determined the proposed levee project is not viable. The agency concluded that even a scaled-back version of the earthen berm-style levee would likely induce flooding in nearby Delaware County communities. Recent federal court decisions regarding induced flooding have made this a significant legal hurdle for the Corps, leading to the cancellation of the Eastwick levee plan.

What EFNC is Doing:

While this setback is deeply frustrating, EFNC remains steadfast in our commitment to securing long-term flood resilience for Eastwick. Our board members continue to actively participate in the Philadelphia Office of Sustainability's Eastwick Flood Mitigation Brainstorming sessions. We are working collaboratively with city officials and environmental experts to evaluate alternative strategies.

These alternative approaches include exploring nature-based solutions such as extensive wetland restoration, advocating for upgraded stormwater infrastructure designed to move water more efficiently, and discussing the implementation of targeted buyout programs. We are also continuing our work with the Eastwick Flood Collaboration Project alongside Lutheran Congregational Services and Rutgers University to document recovery stories and identify ongoing community needs.

The City is currently working on the design of an interim flood barrier (a HESCO barrier) to provide temporary relief, and the new online flood monitoring system remains operational to provide early warnings. EFNC will not stop advocating until a permanent, equitable solution is secured for every resident of Eastwick.

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS

📸 NATURE IN FOCUS PHOTO COMPETITION FLYER

The Nature In Focus Photo Competition is accepting submissions through July 31, 2026. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just capturing moments with your smartphone, we encourage you to submit your best shots of the refuge. Visit fohrefuge.org/nature-in-focus-2026 for full details and to submit your photos.

📢 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY ACTION CENTER DISTRICT 2 GRAND OPENING

Join us on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM for the official grand opening celebration of NCAC District 2 at Dixon House (1920 S. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145). Mayor Cherelle L. Parker will be in attendance, along with city departments and community partners. Meet Matthew Cain, Community Organizer, and learn about the services available to Eastwick residents. Come see us for any city service that you need!

Contact: (267) 496-2311 or [email protected]

🏃 2026 PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT RUNWAY 5K

Mark your calendars! Registration is now open for the 2026 Philadelphia International Airport Runway 5K, scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026. This annual event benefits local charities including the Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition (EFNC), Eastwick United CDC, and March of Dimes.

Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the airport with a first-hand look at everything that keeps it running. As you make your way along the tarmac, you'll pass airport machinery, ground support equipment, and aircraft operations up close—including jets taking off and landing on adjacent runways beside the race course.

Designed for all ages! Bring the whole family. There are activities for everyone, including a FREE kids dash for children ages 1-5. All 5K participants receive finisher medals, a PHL5K run shirt, and post-race snacks.

Sign up today! As a thank you for your participation and continued support, you'll receive a cool PHL5K run shirt and post-race snacks. EFNC receives a financial award for our participation, and we also reimburse our registration fees.

💡COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Neighborhood Community Action Center (NCAC) District 2 — Your Neighborhood City HallThe Neighborhood Community Action Centers represent a new model of government service delivery, bringing city services directly to residents where they live. NCAC District 2 is now officially open at Dixon House (1920 S. 20th Street). Matthew Cain, Community Organizer, and his team are ready to help you access any city service you need. Whether you need assistance with permits, licenses, social services, or have questions about city programs, NCAC District 2 is here to serve you. Contact: (267) 496-2311 or [email protected]. The center is neighborhood-focused, community-driven, service-focused, and here for you because your neighborhood matters.

Community Fridges and Free Food Access Philly's first community fridge opened in August 2020, and the movement has only continued to grow—there are now over 40 community fridges around the city. All of these mutual aid sites rely on volunteer support for tasks like cleaning, stocking, shopping, and larger donation pickups. While we continue to search for an Eastwick-specific community fridge site, residents can get involved with neighborhood fridge partners by checking out their websites and social media, or by downloading the Philly Food Rescue app to help distribute fresh food to community fridges and other locations throughout Philadelphia.

Clean Philly Now and Trash Academy Mapping Initiative Clean Philly Now and Trash Academy are leading a data-driven mapping initiative to identify, document, and ultimately eliminate legacy dumping sites across Eastwick and neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. EFNC is proud to be a collaborative partner in this important initiative.

Eastwick Flood Collaboration Project EFNC is proud to be a collaborative partner in this important initiative. Are you a survivor of Tropical Storm Isaias? Lutheran Congregational Services and Rutgers University are collaborating to document recovery stories and identify ongoing needs in Eastwick. Your voice matters in shaping future resilience strategies.

Philly 311 Non-Emergency Services For issues regarding illegal dumping, overgrown vacant lots, or abandoned vehicles, residents are encouraged to use the Philly311 system. You can submit requests via the Philly311 mobile app, online portal, or by calling 3-1-1. You can also bring these concerns directly to Matthew Cain at NCAC District 2, who can help escalate service requests when necessary.

Eastwick Regional Playground Summer Camp Philadelphia Parks & Recreation operates a comprehensive summer day camp at Eastwick Regional Playground (80th Street & Mars Place) for children ages 6-12. The camp runs from July 6 through August 14, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Programs include breakfast, lunch, swimming, sports, arts and crafts, educational activities, games, and field trips. Registration is ongoing, and limited fee waivers are available. Call (215) 685-4193 to register your child today.

🗣️ FUTURE TOPICS: WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

What other topics would you like to learn about in The Eastwick Bulletin? Whether it's updates on specific infrastructure projects, profiles of community leaders, or deep dives into local history, send your suggestions to [email protected]. .

📸 SEND US YOUR PHOTOS

We see the pictures of Eastwick's flooded streets, sandbags lining garages, and illegal dumping. But Eastwick is a wonderful community to live in and raise a family in, like so many others across the country. People go to work, kids go to school. Holiday decorations get hung and taken down. Springtime flowers bloom and fall leaves get raked. Kids learn to ride bikes and go off to youth sports.

Let's show the world the real Eastwick! Send in pictures of the Eastwick you want the World to know. Email your photos to [email protected] with a brief description, and we may feature them in an upcoming newsletter.

📢 SHARE THE WORD

Enjoying these updates? Tell your friends and neighbors! They can subscribe to The Eastwick Bulletin here: Subscribe to our newsletter

🤝 ABOUT EFNC AND JOIN OUR BOARD

The Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition (EFNC) brings together community stakeholders to advocate for an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable future for Eastwick.

We are currently seeking passionate residents to join the EFNC Board! If you want to make a tangible difference in your community, we need your expertise. We are particularly looking for individuals with skills in:

• Social Media and Digital Communications

• Event Planning and Community Organizing

• Computer Skills and Data Management

• Grant Writing and Fundraising

• Communications and Public Relations

Interested in getting involved? Contact us at [email protected] or visit our website at eastwickfnc.org.

Until next time,
The EFNC Team