The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of May 13th

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 another week in Eastwick! We are thrilled to share that the long-awaited Eastwick Flood Resilience Strategy has officially been released. This marks a major milestone in our community's fight for a safer, drier neighborhood. While we celebrate this progress, we also remain vigilant about public safety concerns in Southwest Philadelphia. As always, the Coalition is here to keep you informed about both the challenges we face and the positive strides we are making together. Please read on for important updates, including opportunities to weigh in on the Impoundment Pond Restoration project this week!

POSITIVE UPDATE: Eastwick Flood Resilience Strategy Officially Released

After nearly two years of dedicated community engagement and planning, the Office of Sustainability has officially released the Eastwick Flood Resilience Strategy! This comprehensive plan, published on May 7, represents a significant step forward in protecting our neighborhood from the repetitive, catastrophic flooding we have endured for decades.

The strategy is unique because it was co-designed with the community. The Flood Mitigation Council of Eastwick, composed of 10 resident representatives, met monthly from July 2024 to March 2026 to guide the process. They worked alongside technical experts, the Nature Conservancy, and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge to ensure the proposed solutions reflect the real, lived experiences of Eastwick residents.

The Strategy recommends seven specific flood resilience projects across four categories:

1. Blocking water: Implementing levees, berms, and barriers to contain or redirect floodwaters.

2. Storing water: Utilizing nature-based solutions, such as restoring wetlands to absorb excess water.

3. Moving away from risk: Offering voluntary buyouts for flood-prone properties and returning the land to natural use.

4. Moving water: Improving stormwater infrastructure to move water more effectively through the neighborhood.

While long-term construction will take time, the City is actively pursuing funding for implementation and is currently advancing a near-term flood barrier project to provide immediate relief. We commend the resident leaders on the Flood Mitigation Council for their tireless advocacy and commitment to building a flood-resilient Eastwick! To read the full strategy, visit the Office of Sustainability's website.

COMMUNITY CONCERN: Public Safety in Southwest Philadelphia

The Coalition is deeply concerned about a recent string of public safety incidents in the broader Southwest Philadelphia area. Over the past two weeks, our community has witnessed several alarming events, including a road rage shooting in Kingsessing on May 2, a reckless carjacking attempt that ended in a crash at a local school playground on May 5, and another shooting incident involving a fight just last Thursday.

While Eastwick itself remains a strong, tight-knit community, these incidents in neighboring areas serve as a stark reminder of the broader public safety challenges facing our city. The safety of our children, seniors, and all residents is paramount.

The Coalition is in communication with the 12th Police District to advocate for increased patrols and community policing initiatives in and around Eastwick. We encourage all residents to remain vigilant, look out for one another, and report any suspicious activity immediately. If you see something, say something.

Important Safety Contacts:

• Emergency: 911

• Police Non-Emergency: 311

• 12th Police District: (215) 686-3120

COMMUNITY RESOURCES: 2026 Community Resilience and Environmental Justice Fund

The Office of Sustainability has announced the opening of the 2026 Community Resilience and Environmental Justice (CREJ) Fund! This is a fantastic opportunity for local organizations working to improve our neighborhood.

The CREJ Fund will award $30,000 grants to 12 projects across Philadelphia that focus on climate emergency preparedness, energy burden and heat resilience, food sovereignty, indoor air quality, or waste reduction. This funding is specifically designed to support frontline communities like Eastwick in building long-term resilience to climate change.

Applications are open until Friday, June 5, 2026. If you are part of a community-based organization, a nonprofit, or a faith-based institution working on environmental justice issues in Eastwick, we strongly encourage you to apply! Visit the Philadelphia City Fund website for full application details.

UPCOMING EVENTS:  Mark Your Calendar

Impoundment Pond Restoration Public Meetings Your input matters! The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is hosting two community meetings to gather input on plans to restore part of the impoundment back to tidal marsh. This restoration project will bring significant benefits to our community, including improved marsh habitat for wildlife and reduced flood risk for our neighborhood. Learn about the project details and share your thoughts at either meeting.

Meeting Options:

• Virtual Meeting: Wednesday, May 13, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Contact [email protected] or [email protected] to RSVP.

• In-Person Meeting: Saturday, May 16, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (8601 Lindbergh Blvd). Drop-ins welcome. Snacks provided!

  

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

PHOTO EXHIBITION: Nature In Focus 2026

The Friends of Heinz Refuge (FOHR) is hosting the annual Nature In Focus Photo Competition and Exhibition, and we encourage all photographers in our community to participate! This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your work and compete for cash prizes while celebrating the natural beauty of the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.

Competition Details:

• Submission Period: May 15 through July 31, 2026

• Location: All photos must be taken at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

• Age Divisions: Kids (under 12), Teens (13-18), and Adults

• Submit Online: Visit fohrefuge.org/nature-in-focus-2026 for full details and to submit your photos.

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KNOW YOUR RESOURCES

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

ABOUT THE EASTWICK FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS COALITION

The Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition Inc (EFNC) brings together community stakeholders to plan and advocate for an environmentally, economically, and socially just Eastwick. We believe that every resident deserves a safe, healthy, and thriving neighborhood, and we work alongside our neighbors, partner organizations, and city agencies to make that vision a reality.

Until next time,
The EFNC Team