The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of July 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.

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

As we enter July, we hope everyone is having a safe and enjoyable summer. This week, we're celebrating a major milestone for our local green spaces, while also addressing an ongoing public safety concern that requires community vigilance and city action.

🌟 POSITIVE UPDATE: Bartram's Garden Completes Major Riverfront Expansion

We are excited to share a major win for green space access in Southwest Philadelphia. Bartram's Garden has officially completed its multi-year riverfront expansion project, opening new acres of accessible trails and community space along the tidal Schuylkill River.

This expansion represents a significant investment in our local environment and community health. The newly opened sections feature restored tidal wetlands, improved fishing access points, and a continuous paved trail that connects the historic garden directly to the surrounding neighborhoods. This project not only provides more recreational space for our families but also serves as critical green infrastructure that helps manage stormwater and supports local biodiversity.

EFNC encourages all residents to visit the newly expanded riverfront, especially during the upcoming holiday weekend, to enjoy this incredible community asset.

⚠️ COMMUNITY CONCERN: Advocating for Safer Pedestrian Crossings on Lindbergh Boulevard

Advocating for Safer Pedestrian Crossings on Lindbergh Boulevard

While we celebrate new green spaces, we must also address the ongoing challenge of getting to them safely. Traffic safety along the Lindbergh Boulevard corridor remains a critical concern for Eastwick residents, particularly regarding pedestrian crossings near our schools and community centers.

Recent weeks have seen an increase in near-miss incidents involving pedestrians trying to cross this busy arterial road. The current infrastructure, characterized by faded crosswalks, inadequate lighting, and long stretches without traffic calming measures, creates a hazardous environment for our seniors, children, and all residents who rely on walking or public transit.

Specific Concerns:

The intersection of Lindbergh Boulevard and Island Avenue presents particular hazards for pedestrians, with high vehicle speeds, limited sight lines, and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure. This intersection has been flagged by residents as one of the most dangerous crossing points in the corridor.

What EFNC is Doing:

EFNC is actively engaging with the Philadelphia Department of Streets and our local council representatives to demand immediate safety assessments and the installation of high-visibility crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, and improved lighting along the most dangerous stretches of Lindbergh Boulevard, with particular attention to the Lindbergh Boulevard and Island Avenue intersection.

Take Action:

We urge residents to report any unsafe crossing conditions, faded road markings, or broken streetlights to Philly311. Consistent reporting creates the data trail necessary to force city action and prioritize Eastwick for Vision Zero traffic safety funding.

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS

📸 NATURE IN FOCUS PHOTO COMPETITION & EXHIBITION

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.

💡 COMMUNITY RESOURCES

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. More updated information about citywide dumpsite mapping events will be shared before September.

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.

🗣️ 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 BOARDD

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