The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of June 17th

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.

As we celebrate the official start of summer and look ahead to America's 250th birthday, Southwest Philadelphia is experiencing a cultural renaissance. This week, we're highlighting a major community initiative that honors the rich heritage of our region and opens doors for cultural celebration and economic development.

POSITIVE UPDATE: Africatown Celebrates Southwest Philadelphia's Cultural Heritage

On June 5, 2026, Southwest Philadelphia officially welcomed visitors to Africatown, a newly designated cultural hub celebrating the vibrant African and Caribbean heritage that has long defined this neighborhood. The unveiling of Africatown signage along Woodland Avenue at 60th Street marks both a celebration of community identity and a starting point for broader recognition and investment in the area.

This initiative represents years of cultural presence in the neighborhood, which has become home to a thriving population of immigrants from across Africa and the Caribbean. Community leaders emphasize that Africatown is more than a designation—it's a movement toward inclusivity, cultural pride, and economic opportunity.

"This is a dream come true," said Marron Cassell of the African Cultural Alliance of North America. The unveiling drew support from local officials, including State Rep. Jordan Harris, who noted that Africatown will become a destination where "people from all over the world, when they come to Philadelphia, are gonna want to come to Southwest Philly because they want to see Africatown."

What's Coming: As part of summer programming tied to international soccer matches and Philadelphia 250 celebrations, Africatown organizers are planning watch parties and two festivals. The first major Africatown Festival is scheduled for June 28, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Woodland Avenue site, featuring cultural performances, food, and community celebration.

Investment tied to city initiatives is already underway, with improvements including banners, bike racks, and landscaping throughout the neighborhood.

Community Concern: Combating Illegal Dumping and Littering in Eastwick

Illegal dumping and littering remain persistent challenges that impact the quality of life, environmental health, and community pride in Eastwick. From discarded appliances and construction debris to everyday trash accumulating in vacant lots and along roadsides, these issues affect residents' daily experience of their neighborhood.

The Problem

Illegal dumping creates multiple cascading problems for our community. Beyond the obvious eyesores, improperly disposed waste can contaminate soil and groundwater, harbor pests and rodents, and create safety hazards. The cleanup costs fall on the city and, ultimately, taxpayers. More importantly, the presence of dumped waste signals neglect and can contribute to a sense that the neighborhood is not valued or cared for, which can impact everything from property values to community morale.

Littering, from discarded bottles and food packaging to abandoned furniture, compounds the problem. When streets and parks are littered, it discourages residents from spending time outdoors, using public spaces, and building community connections.

What EFNC is Doing

EFNC has been actively documenting illegal dumping sites and working with the city to ensure timely cleanup. We've also been educating residents about how to report violations and hold the city accountable for response times.

How You Can Help

Report Illegal Dumping: Use the Philly311 app or website to report illegal dumping. Include photos and specific location details. You can also call 3-1-1 to submit a report. Keep records of your report numbers, this helps track city response times and hold the city accountable.

Participate in Cleanup Efforts: Join EFNC and community partners in regular cleanup events. These not only remove waste but also send a message that Eastwick residents care about their neighborhood.

Practice Responsible Disposal: Ensure your own waste is properly disposed of. If you have large items (appliances, furniture), use city-approved disposal services rather than leaving them on the street.

Support Enforcement: Advocate for increased enforcement and penalties for illegal dumping. Contact your city council representative to push for stronger protections in our neighborhood.

Looking Forward

EFNC believes that a clean, well-maintained neighborhood is a foundation for community pride and investment. We're committed to working with city agencies, community partners, and residents to address this ongoing challenge. Together, we can make Eastwick a place where residents take pride in their surroundings and where the city prioritizes maintenance and enforcement.

📸 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.

🗣️ FUTURE TOPICS: WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

What other topics would you like to learn about in The Eastwick Bulletin? We're planning a special future edition dedicated to insights from our May 27 public meeting, including practical advice on using Philly311 and working effectively with city agencies. Beyond that, we want to hear from you. Whether it's updates on specific infrastructure projects, profiles of community leaders, or deep dives into local history, send your suggestions to [email protected].

UPCOMING EVENTS:  Mark Your Calendar

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

📢 SHARE THE WORD

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

KNOW YOUR RESOURCES

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

🤝 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

• Community Outreach and Engagement

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

Until next time,
The EFNC Team