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- The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of October 7th
The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of October 7th
Your Weekly Community Update from the Eastwick Friends and Neighbors (EFNC)
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 Eastwick Bulletin.
This week, we share a new Southwest Philadelphia resilience investment, a public-heritage update, a practical look at the work still needed to protect Eastwick from flooding, and a calendar full of local opportunities. You will also find a virtual composting teach-in, the Nature in Focus exhibition, the October 17 Go Bag Giveaway, Ready to Root on October 20, and Eastwick Regional Playground’s fall programs.
🌟 Positive Update: New Resilience Funding for Bartram’s Garden and ACANA
On October 1, the City announced that 13 Philadelphia community groups will receive $30,000 each through its 2026 Community Resilience and Environmental Justice Fund. We are encouraged that two organizations serving Southwest Philadelphia are among the recipients.
Bartram’s Garden will use its award to add infrastructure that permanently increases compost production and distribution.
African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA) will establish a Community Orchard and activate the Africatown Green Hub for greening, food education, cultural wellness, and environmental stewardship.
The City says the awards also come with capacity-building support and complimentary energy assessments. This is a citywide fund, not a grant awarded to EFNC or Eastwick, but it is a meaningful investment in nearby community organizations working on food sovereignty, greening, and resilience
⚠️Community Concern: Flood Risk Remains While Long-Term Protections Move Forward
Eastwick continues to face repetitive flooding from tidal Cobbs and Darby creeks. Philadelphia’s flood-resilience strategy recommends seven projects, but the City says planning, funding, and construction will take time. The near-term Hesco Barriers remain in progress, and the City has not announced a completion date.
This is not a new flood alert. It is a reminder that long-term protections are still being developed and that practical preparedness tools matter today. Residents can use the City’s live Flood Monitoring Map to check water levels, rainfall, and camera feeds, and can text READYPHILA to 888-777 for severe-weather and flood alerts. For questions or help connecting to resources, contact the City’s Eastwick Community Navigator at [email protected] or 267-846-2149.
📢Philadelphia Heritage Watch: Academy Closure Raises Public-Access Questions
The Academy of Natural Sciences, founded in 1812 and open to the public since 1828, closed its museum doors to the public on September 27. Academy and Drexel leadership announced the closure on September 1, citing changed visitation patterns and rising operating costs while stating that research and collection stewardship would continue.
Philadelphia City Council has adopted a resolution authorizing Legislative Oversight hearings into the closure, its consequences for Philadelphia, and options to preserve public access, the Academy’s scientific work, and its educational mission. NBC Philadelphia reported that the William Penn Foundation offered to cover at least one year of operating costs while a path forward is considered.
The situation also brings needed attention to the future of Philadelphia’s public collections. The Philadelphia History Museum closed in 2018, and Drexel became successor trustee of the Atwater Kent Collection in 2022. Drexel says the collection is being shared through its online database, loans, and exhibitions across the city. The Academy closure reinforces why Philadelphians deserve a transparent public process and durable access to the institutions and collections that tell our shared story.
Nature in Focus 2026 Opens at John Heinz Refuge
The Nature in Focus 2026 Photo Exhibition opens Wednesday, October 7 at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, and remains on display through Sunday, November 8. The exhibition includes photographs by participants from childhood through adulthood, and visitors may vote for the People’s Choice Award. Find exhibition information through Friends of Heinz Refuge.
Visitor notice: The entire refuge will be closed October 8 through October 10 for the Mentored Archery Deer Hunt. Please plan your visit for October 7 or after the refuge reopens, and check current refuge information before traveling.
Community Preparedness: Go Bag Giveaway on October 17
Join neighbors on Saturday, October 17, from 10:00 AM to noon at Eastwick Recreation Center for a community conversation about flood preparedness and a Go Bag Giveaway. The Office of Sustainability, Lutheran Disaster Response, Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition (EFNC) are partnering on the event.
Participants will receive custom flood-preparedness worksheets, supplies to build a go bag, and fire-resistant document bags. The first 30 participants will receive a $25 Visa card. Questions may be sent to [email protected]..
FEATURED PLAN-AHEAD EVENT: Ready to Root Volunteer & Tree Distribution Day
Tuesday, October 20, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center, 700 Cobbs Creek Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Join Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light (PA IPL) for Ready to Root: Volunteer & Tree Distribution Day, a celebration of community tree leadership and urban forestry. Roots, Branches & Hands supports community forestry, volunteer coordination, education, and tree distribution.
The day begins with tree tagging, sorting, and event set-up from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Pre-ordered tree pick-ups begin at 2:00 PM. From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, the schedule includes tree pick-ups, vendors, activities, speakers, and a tree walk. A limited number of no-cost yard trees may be available for people who did not place an advance order. The event will take place at the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center at 700 Cobbs Creek Parkway
Eastwick Regional Playground: Fall Programs Continue
Eastwick Regional Playground’s Fall 2026 schedule includes after-school activities, community pickleball, crochet, karate, pinochle, sewing, youth soccer, youth ultimate frisbee, Spoken Word Open Mic Night, Silent Book Club, and We Walk Philly.
The officially listed We Walk PHL group meets on Thursdays from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at S. 80th Street and Mars Place, near the orange We Walk sign by the building. The fall series runs through October 31. For current participation details, use the Fairmount Park Conservancy guide, event page, or @eastwickregionalpark on Instagram.
Community Spotlight: A Successful Philly Hair Healers Walk for Alopecia
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The recent Philly Hair Healers Walk for Alopecia was a success. These photos celebrate the advocates, participants, and community members who came together to raise awareness and show support.
For ongoing hair-loss and alopecia solutions and resources, contact Alexis at 267-206-0302 or visit Philly Hair Healer to explore its products, services, programs, and community links.
Food Waste to Zero Waste: Composting to End Residential Dumping
Monday, October 12, 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM | Zoom
Join the Zoom meeting. No registration is required. Trash Academy and the Clean Philadelphia NOW Coalition will host a virtual teach-in on food waste, composting, and the connection between waste practices and residential dumping.
Meeting ID: 931 355 6771
Passcode: rvkh4q
Join by SIP: [email protected]
Zoom join instructions
The event materials note that food scraps make up 17% of Philadelphia’s residential waste. Tim Bennett will discuss composting and its potential to keep food waste out of landfills and incinerators. Just Zero will share examples of composting and zero-waste work elsewhere, and the conversation will include a composting resolution from Councilmember Ahmad’s office and what it could mean locally.
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
Date and time | Event | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
Wed, Oct. 7 | Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Ave. | Children ages 6 and older can paint using cotton balls. | |
Thu, Oct. 8 | Bartram’s Garden Welcome Center, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. | Fresh, chemical-free local produce from Sankofa Community Farm. Cash, EBT, WIC Farmers’ Market vouchers, and Senior vouchers are accepted. | |
Sat, Oct. 10 | Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. | Help with seasonal planting, harvesting, weeding, invasive-species removal, and orchard support. | |
Sun, Oct. 11 | Big Boardwalk, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge | Count migratory and resident birds for conservation. Stay for a few minutes or several hours. No experience is necessary. | |
Mon, Oct. 12 | Food Waste to Zero Waste: Composting to End Residential Dumping | Zoom | Virtual Trash Academy and Clean Philadelphia NOW Coalition teach-in on composting, food waste, and residential dumping. |
Tue, Oct. 13 | Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Ave. | Family autumn celebration with a scavenger hunt, face painting, crafts, donuts, and cider. | |
Thu, Oct. 15 | Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. | Outdoor, community-centered yoga with Healing the Hood Together. | |
Sat, Oct. 17 | Go Bag Giveaway | Eastwick Recreation Center | Flood-preparedness worksheets, go-bag supplies, fire-resistant document bags, and a $25 Visa card for the first 30 participants. Questions: [email protected]. |
Sat, Oct. 17 | John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum | Mixed-media knitting and weaving workshop. Materials are provided. Register at [email protected]. | |
Sun, Oct. 18 | Meet by the Visitor Center, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge | A relaxed bird walk for all ages. The listing notes flat surfaces, nearby restrooms, and no registration requirement. | |
Tue, Oct. 20 | Ready to Root: Volunteer & Tree Distribution Day | Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center, 700 Cobbs Creek Parkway | Tree sorting, pick-ups, vendors, activities, speakers, and a tree walk. See PA IPL for program information. |
Wed, Oct. 21 | Meet at 86th Street and Mario Lanza Boulevard | Learn about the proposed Eastwick community trail with the Community Engagement Team. |
The Eastwick Library will close at 1:00 PM on Friday, October 9 and will be closed Monday, October 12 for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Check organizer links for weather, capacity, registration, and last-minute changes before traveling.
💡COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Eastwick Flood Resources Use the City’s Eastwick resident resources for flood maps, the Flood Ready Home guide, flood insurance information, alerts, and the live monitoring map.
Eastwick Library The Eastwick Library at 2851 Island Avenue offers free programs, computers, printing, Wi-Fi, and family resources. See the Eastwick Library calendar for current listings.
Report and Track Neighborhood Concerns Use Philly 311 to report potholes, abandoned vehicles, illegal dumping, graffiti, street-light outages, and other non-emergency concerns.
Breathe Philly For City information about air quality, heat, and environmental-health resources, visit Breathe Philly and review the Breathe Philly program resources.
📸 SEND US YOUR PHOTOS
We love seeing Eastwick through your eyes. Send photos of neighborhood gatherings, local nature, community projects, gardens, and everyday moments that show what makes Eastwick special. Selected images may be featured in future Bulletins and EFNC social media. Please email your photo, a short caption, and photographer credit to [email protected].
🗣️ FUTURE TOPICS: WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
What would you like to see covered in a future Eastwick Bulletin? Please send local concerns, event notices, positive neighborhood news, and resource suggestions to [email protected]. Your input helps EFNC keep this newsletter relevant, practical, and community-centered.
🤝 ABOUT EFNC AND JOIN OUR BOARD
Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition Inc. works with residents and partners to advance environmental justice, community advocacy, safety, and sustainable development in Eastwick. We are seeking community-minded Board members with experience or interest in social media, event planning, computer skills, grant writing, communications, and community outreach. To learn more about EFNC or express interest in serving, visit eastwickfnc.org.
Please forward this Bulletin to your Eastwick neighbors, friends, and family. Encourage them to subscribe at eastwickfnc.org so that more residents can stay informed and connected.
Until next time,
The EFNC Team