The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of July 22nd

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 the heart of summer, our neighborhood continues to demonstrate remarkable strength, resilience, and community spirit. This week, we celebrate an upcoming neighborhood-wide gathering that brings us all together, share important updates on our ongoing environmental justice advocacy, and highlight a packed schedule of free summer activities for families and youth.

🌟 POSITIVE UPDATE: Bringing City Services Closer to Home — NCAC District 2 Grand Opening

We are thrilled to celebrate the recent grand opening of the Neighborhood Community Action Center (NCAC) District 2, which officially opened its doors last week. Located at Dixon House (1920 S. 20th Street), this new facility represents a significant investment in bringing essential city services directly to our local communities.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker was in attendance to celebrate this important milestone, highlighting the city's commitment to making government more accessible and responsive. The NCAC is designed to serve as "Your Neighborhood City Hall," eliminating the need for residents to travel to Center City for many essential services.

Matthew Cain, our dedicated Community Organizer, and his team are now available to assist residents with a wide range of needs. Whether you need help navigating city programs, accessing social services, applying for permits and licenses, or escalating a Philly311 service request, the NCAC team is there to help.

This new center is a vital resource for Eastwick residents, providing a direct line to city government and ensuring our community's needs are heard and addressed efficiently. We encourage all residents to utilize this new facility and connect with Matthew Cain and his team.

You can reach the NCAC District 2 at (267) 496-2311 or via email at [email protected].

⚠️ COMMUNITY CONCERN: Ongoing Environmental Justice Advocacy for Clean Air

While Eastwick is a community of incredible resilience, we continue to face significant environmental justice challenges that require our sustained attention and advocacy. Specifically, the cumulative impact of industrial facilities, major transportation corridors, and legacy dumping sites continues to affect our local air quality and overall environmental health.

Eastwick residents have historically borne a disproportionate burden of environmental hazards compared to other Philadelphia neighborhoods. The proximity to Philadelphia International Airport, I-95, and various industrial operations creates a complex web of environmental stressors that impact the daily lives of our families.

What EFNC is Doing:

The Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition Inc. remains committed to fighting for environmental equity. We are actively engaging with city and state officials to demand stronger regulatory oversight and comprehensive environmental justice policies that address the root causes of our local air quality issues.

Our board members are participating in ongoing discussions with the Office of Sustainability to ensure that the new Place-Based Framework for Environmental Justice prioritizes Eastwick's unique needs. We are also closely monitoring the implementation of the 2026 Community Resilience & Environmental Justice (CREJ) Fund projects, advocating for investments that directly benefit our neighborhood.

We will continue to push for transparency, accountability, and meaningful action from both government agencies and industrial operators to ensure a healthier, cleaner environment for all Eastwick residents.

🚨 URGENT COMMUNITY CONCERN: Data Center Proposal Threatens Philadelphia Communities

Eastwick residents should be aware of a significant development that could impact our city and region. City officials have begun preliminary discussions about bringing a large-scale hyperscale data center to Philadelphia. Under the haze of polluted skies and during a code red heat emergency, the City Planning Commission held a hearing on this proposal with minimal public notice.

Here is what we learned: There are two potential sites being considered, including a city-owned property near the Northeast airport. Data centers are massive operations, potentially millions of square feet in size, requiring enormous amounts of water and electricity. However, they create very few jobs, with only one worker needed per 5,000 square feet of facility.

Most importantly, there are currently no specific zoning rules governing where or how data centers can be built, leaving communities vulnerable to decisions made without adequate community input or environmental safeguards.

At the Planning Commission hearing, not a single person testified in favor of data centers. Residents from Grays Ferry to Brewerytown to Port Richmond raised critical questions: What are we building these data centers for? How will this impact energy bills and affordability in our city? Will there be a community process, and will decisions be made with the knowledge and consent of the people who live there?

If you are concerned about this proposal, sign the petition calling for a moratorium on data centers and tell City Council to press pause until we have guardrails in place to protect our neighborhoods. Stay vigilant and stay informed as this issue develops.

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS

🌻 DECLARATION OF INTERDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY SIGNING & CELEBRATION

As Philadelphia celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Lenape leaders, local organizers, and neighbors across the city invite our communities to unite around a new declaration. The Declaration of INTERDEPENDENCE brings together folks across the region to celebrate the power we have to build a better future together, where indigenous people, immigrants, and diverse communities can thrive with our wider ecosystems.

Join us on Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at FDR Park Picnic Site A for this community celebration. The event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Participate in community art, connect with local history, and sign the Declaration of Interdependence alongside your neighbors.

You can read the full Declaration online and RSVP through Eventbrite. Please share this flyer with friends, neighbors, loved ones, and comrades!

📸 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.

💡COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Eastwick Regional Playground Summer Camp

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

Neighborhood Community Action Center (NCAC) District 2

The newly opened NCAC District 2 at Dixon House (1920 S. 20th Street) serves as your neighborhood city hall. Matthew Cain, Community Organizer, and his team are ready to help you access any city service you need, including assistance with permits, licenses, social services, and city programs. Contact: (267) 496-2311 or [email protected].

Community Fridges and Free Food Access

Philly's network of over 40 community fridges provides vital mutual aid. 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.

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.

📸 SEND US YOUR PHOTOS

We want to feature YOUR Eastwick experiences! Whether it's a beautiful sunset over John Heinz Refuge, a community gathering, or your children enjoying the summer programs at the library or playground, send your photos to [email protected] to be featured in an upcoming bulletin.

🗣️ FUTURE TOPICS: WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

What issues matter most to you? Are there specific community resources, local businesses, or neighborhood heroes you'd like to see highlighted in future newsletters? Email us at [email protected] with your suggestions.

🤝 ABOUT EFNC AND JOIN OUR BOARD

The Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition Inc. (EFNC) is a registered 501(c)(3) community organization dedicated to advocating for the residents of Eastwick. We bring community stakeholders together to plan and advocate for an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable Eastwick.

We are actively seeking new board members! If you are passionate about our community and have skills in community organizing, environmental advocacy, grant writing, communications, or legal expertise, we want to hear from you. Visit our website at eastwickfnc.org to learn more about the application process.

📢 SHARE THE WORD

If you found this newsletter helpful, please forward it to your neighbors! Subscribe to our newsletter to receive The Eastwick Bulletin directly in their inbox every week.

Until next time,
The EFNC Team