The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of September 2nd

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.

September brings new opportunities for Eastwick residents to meet neighbors, enjoy our parks and refuge, make their voices heard, and stay informed about issues that affect our community. This week, we celebrate the launch of free weekly walks in Eastwick, raise awareness about water-quality information that matters to everyone who enjoys Philadelphia's waterways, and spotlight three September events that offer family fun, support for EFNC, and practical ways to reduce waste.

🌟 POSITIVE UPDATE: Free We Walk PHL Groups Begin in Eastwick

We are encouraged that the City, through the Philadelphia Departments of Public Health and Parks & Recreation, is partnering with Fairmount Park Conservancy to bring the Fall 2026 We Walk PHL season to Eastwick. From September 1 through October 31, free weekly walking groups will meet at Eastwick Regional Playground and John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum.

Eastwick Regional Playground walks meet every Thursday at 10:30 AM near the orange We Walk sign by the building at South 80th Street and Mars Place. At John Heinz Refuge, walkers meet every Sunday at 2:00 PM at the Visitor Center, 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard. These groups offer a no-cost way to move, connect with neighbors, and enjoy Eastwick's outdoor spaces at a welcoming pace.

No experience is necessary. Residents can participate when their schedules allow and should join the We Walk PHL Facebook group for weather-related changes or cancellations.

⚠️ COMMUNITY CONCERN: Water Quality and Safe Use of Philadelphia's Waterways

A recent PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center report underscores the continuing need for clear, public water-quality information in Philadelphia. Reviewing 2024 and 2025 testing data, the report found that 37 of 43 tested locations in the Philadelphia section of the Delaware River exceeded the E. coli Beach Action Value on at least one testing day. Twelve locations exceeded that level on every day tested.

The findings do not establish water conditions at every individual access point near Eastwick or within John Heinz Refuge. However, they reinforce a broader concern for our community: residents should have reliable, timely information about water quality before swimming, paddling, fishing, or participating in other close-contact recreation. Sewage overflows and polluted stormwater runoff are identified as key sources of pathogen pollution in the report.

What residents can do: Follow posted safety notices at waterways, avoid entering water after heavy rainfall or when an advisory is in effect, and report suspected pollution or sewage overflows through Philly 311. Protecting our waterways requires transparent monitoring, resilient wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and meaningful public involvement.

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS

⭐ FEATURED SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Tree-mendous Day at the Zoo

Saturday, September 12, 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM | Philadelphia Zoo

Philadelphia Zoo and the Philly Tree Coalition invite families to a day of activities that celebrate the role trees play in healthy neighborhoods, wildlife habitat, cooling, and stormwater management. The program includes interactive Treehouse workshops, children’s story time, games, arts and crafts, health and wellness activities, educational displays, volunteer opportunities, and a free yard-tree giveaway while supplies last.

Tree-mendous Day is included with regular Zoo admission and is free for Zoo members. Learn more and reserve admission through the Philadelphia Zoo event page.

Run the Runway for Eastwick: 2026 PHL Airport Runway 5K

Saturday, September 12 | Atlantic Aviation PHL, 8375 Enterprise Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19153

EFNC is proud to be named as one of the charity beneficiaries of the 9th Annual PHL Airport Runway 5K, alongside March of Dimes and Eastwick United CDC. Participants will have the rare opportunity to run or walk on the airport tarmac while viewing airfield equipment up close. The morning includes 6:30 AM pack pickup, 7:30 AM warm-up announcements, an 8:30 AM Runway Run/Walk start, a free Kids Dash at 9:00 AM for children ages 1 to 5, and a 9:30 AM awards ceremony.

Registration is required in advance. There is no race-day registration, and all race participants must present valid government-issued photo identification to access the secure airfield. Parking is free. Register for the 2026 PHL Airport Runway 5K.

Butterfly Eastwick: Public Meeting on a Pollinator-Friendly Garden.

Saturday, September 12, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Library Room, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard

Eastwick residents and John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum invite neighbors to learn more about Butterfly Eastwick, a pollinator-friendly garden initiative. The meeting will share information about how residents can help bring a pollinator garden to their property and support local wildlife. [10]

The flyer identifies the following participation requirements: Eastwick residency, 9 to 16 square feet of available front-yard space, homeowner approval or permission from the homeowner, a functioning outdoor water source, and a commitment to weekly maintenance. For more information, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Philly Unwrapped: Final Community Session, Co-hosted with EFNC

Monday, September 14, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM | John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard

EFNC is co-hosting the sixth and final Philly Unwrapped community session, a coalition-driven effort to establish a citywide reuse system in Philadelphia. Over the past year, the series has brought together restaurant owners, cafés, caterers, corner stores, food trucks, event venues, hospitality operators, community leaders, and public officials to explore practical strategies that prevent waste.

This free session requires advance registration. The location is ADA compliant, offers on-site parking, and will provide food and Spanish interpretation. Please register for Philly Unwrapped and share the opportunity with local food businesses, organizations, and neighbors who may be interested in reuse and waste prevention. [9]

🌳 PLAN AHEAD: Southwest Citywide Yard Tree Giveaway

TreePhilly's Southwest Citywide Yard Tree Giveaway takes place on Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM at Bartram's Garden, 56th Street Entrance, 3000 S. 56th Street. This citywide event has no zip-code restrictions. Philadelphia residents who will plant a tree in the ground on private property can register now, with registration closing on Wednesday, November 4.

Learn about tree options, planting and delivery assistance, and volunteer opportunities at TreePhilly's Fall 2026 Yard Tree Giveaways page.

💡COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Eastwick Library

The Eastwick Library at 6641 Eastwick Avenue offers free programs and resources for children, teens, adults, and families. Find current programs on the Eastwick Library calendar.

Waterway and Neighborhood Issue Reporting

Use Philly 311 to report neighborhood concerns, including suspected pollution, illegal dumping, abandoned vehicles, overgrown vacant lots, and other non-emergency issues. Dial 3-1-1 inside Philadelphia.

Breathe Philly

For City information on 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

EFNC 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.

📢 SHARE THE WORD

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