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- The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of September 30th
The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of September 30th
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 issue begins with a time-sensitive EPA access alert for Eastwick Park. It also shares the Philadelphia Water Department Open House in Eastwick this Saturday, a free Fire Apparatus Muster, a new flood-preparedness giveaway, a youth-led climate funding opportunity, and the upcoming Nature in Focus Photography Exhibition at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum. The calendar includes Eastwick Library programs, family activities, free walking and biking opportunities, and more.
🌟 Positive Update: Youth Climate Action Fund Applications Are Open
Young Philadelphians ages 15 to 24 can apply for $3,000 to $5,000 through Philadelphia’s Youth Climate Action Fund. Projects must be meaningfully led by at least two young people and can focus on cooling, flood resilience, illegal dumping and waste reduction, air-quality awareness, trees, gardens, or community greening.
The opportunity is designed for youth-led work with a sponsoring School District high school, a charitable nonprofit, or a community-based organization working with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Individuals cannot apply on their own. Community-based projects can apply under the Outsmart Flooding category, while school-based teams can choose from the other listed climate-action areas.
Applications are due Friday, October 9, at 5:00 PM. The City and School District expect to select 8 to 10 projects, with awards announced in mid-November. This is a citywide opportunity, not a grant already awarded to Eastwick, but it is a practical chance for local young people and partner organizations to turn neighborhood ideas into action.
Apply through the Philadelphia City Fund or contact [email protected] with questions.
🚨URGENT COMMUNITY ALERT: Eastwick City Park Bike Path Will Be Narrowed
EPA’s September 21 Lower Darby Creek Area update says a roughly 700-foot section of the bike path in Eastwick Regional City Park will be narrowed to one lane during Clearview Landfill construction. The affected area runs from S. 80th Street and Mars Place Circle to Angelo Place. Barriers will place the open lane closer to the homes beside the park.
The scheduled restriction dates are September 28 through October 1 and October 5 through October 8. EPA says the extra safety measures and air monitoring are needed during excavation, which requires additional space and equipment near the path. People using the path should slow down and use care in the narrowed area.
For regular Lower Darby, Clearview Landfill, and Eastwick City Park updates, sign up through EPA’s RedFlag notification link. Questions about the work may be directed to EPA Project Manager Josh Barber at 267-541-9558 or EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Angela Ithier at 215-814-5248.
This Saturday in Eastwick: Philadelphia Water Department Open House
The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) is inviting residents to its Open House at the Southwest Water Pollution Control Plant. Visitors can learn how wastewater is cleaned and treated before it returns to local waterways, meet PWD staff, and explore the facility and its technology.
Important update: PWD says advance tour appointments are fully booked, but residents can still attend the Open House and sign up as walk-ins. People who are interested in a tour may email [email protected]. For the latest event details, visit PWD’s Open House page. Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
PWD is also hosting a career fair during the Open House. Stop by to meet PWD employees and learn about career opportunities for plumbers, brick masons, HVAC mechanics, electricians, industrial electricians, machinery and equipment mechanics, electronic technicians, machinists, pumping station operators, and more.
Please note that there will be no on-site job interviews.
Visit the PWD Career Fair page for more information and register here.
New This Fall: Eastwick Regional Playground Programs
Eastwick Regional Playground, 8000 Mars Place, has announced its Fall 2026 schedule of weekly and monthly programs. After-school activities include pickleball, crochet, karate, pinochle, sewing, youth soccer, youth ultimate frisbee, and We Walk Philly. Monthly programs include Spoken Word Open Mic Night and Silent Book Club.
We Walk Philly meets Thursdays from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. For more information about program availability and participation, contact Eastwick Regional Playground at 215-685-3433 or follow @EastwickRegionalPark on Instagram.
Featured Community Event: Philadelphia Fire Apparatus Muster
The Philadelphia Fire Department Fire Apparatus Muster returns on Sunday, October 4, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM along Delaware Avenue between Callowhill and Spring Garden Streets. It is free and open to everyone.
Come out to see vintage and current fire apparatus, browse vendors and memorabilia, grab food from local trucks, and watch an interagency fireboat display. Groups interested in displaying apparatus or selling company merchandise can contact Fire Prevention at 215-686-1382. For updates, see the Philadelphia Fire Department’s event announcement.
For more information, contact Fire Prevention at 215-686-1382.
Community Preparedness: Go Bag Giveaway on October 17
Join your neighbors for a Go Bag Giveaway on Saturday, October 17, from 10:00 AM to noon at Eastwick Recreation Center. The Office of Sustainability, Lutheran Disaster Response, and EFNC are bringing neighbors together to talk about flood preparedness and share practical ways to prepare.
Neighbors will receive custom flood-preparedness worksheets, supplies to build a go bag, and fire-resistant document bags. The first 30 participants will also receive a $25 Visa card. Questions may be sent to [email protected].
Featured at John Heinz Refuge: Nature in Focus 2026
Spend an afternoon with local nature photography at the Nature in Focus 2026 Photo Exhibition, opening Wednesday, October 7 at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard. The exhibition remains on display through Sunday, November 8. Visitor Center hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Find competition and exhibition information on the official Nature in Focus page.
The exhibition celebrates photographers of every age. A three-person panel selects the photographs on display, and Bobby Stormer, Exhibition Judge, chooses the award winners. Visitors can cast a vote for the People’s Choice Award during the exhibition.
An Award Reception is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, from 11:00 AM to noon. The Friends of Heinz Refuge official website confirms that awards will be announced at a reception following its Annual Membership Meeting on November 7.
Plan your visit: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the entire refuge will be closed October 8 through October 10 for a mentored archery deer hunt. Please plan an exhibition visit for October 7 or after the refuge reopens, and check the refuge’s current information before traveling.
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 day of community tree leadership and urban forestry. Roots, Branches & Hands brings together tree distribution, education, and support for community groups. IPL stands for Interfaith Power & Light.
The day includes partner tables, educational activities, a tree walk around the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center, and a limited number of no-cost yard trees for people who did not place an advance order.
Time | Activity |
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM | Tree tagging, sorting, and event set-up |
2:00 PM | Pre-ordered tree pick-ups begin |
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Tree pick-ups, vendors, activities, speakers, and tree walk |
For more information about the program, visit PA IPL’s Roots, Branches & Hands page. EFNC is proud to be part of the Southwest Collaborative working to expand tree access and urban-forestry leadership across Southwest Philadelphia.
đź“… UPCOMING EVENTS
Date and time | Event | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
Wed, Sep. 30 | Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Ave. | Jumbo Jenga for school-age children. | |
Thu, Oct. 1 | Bartram’s Garden Welcome Center, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. | Fresh, chemical-free produce from Sankofa Community Farm. Cash, EBT, WIC Farmers’ Market vouchers, and Senior vouchers accepted. | |
Thu, Oct. 1 | Meet at Bartram’s Garden Welcome Center, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. | Free, easy one-hour walk on the Bartram’s Mile Trail. Registration is recommended. | |
Fri, Oct. 2 | Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Ave. | Basic crochet skills and a project for children ages 5 and older. | |
Fri, Oct. 2 | Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. | Ticketed benefit for Bartram’s Garden. Please confirm ticket availability before traveling. | |
Sat, Oct. 3 | Bike Container at Bartram’s Garden | Free beginner or refresher class for ages 16 and older. Advance registration is required. | |
Sat, Oct. 3 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM | Philadelphia Water Department Open House and Career Fair | Southwest Water Pollution Control Plant, 8200 Enterprise Ave. | Open House walk-ins are welcome even though advance tour appointments are full. PWD says to email [email protected] about tours. The career-fair registration page currently shows full. |
Sun, Oct. 4 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM | Philadelphia Fire Apparatus Muster | Delaware Avenue between Callowhill and Spring Garden Streets | Free public event with vintage and current fire apparatus, vendors and memorabilia, food trucks, and an interagency fireboat display. The flyer includes a no-fee QR code for apparatus and vendor registration. |
Sun, Oct. 4 | Bike Container at Bartram’s Garden | Free beginner or refresher class for ages 4 to 16. Registration is required. | |
Mon, Oct. 5 | Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Ave. | Make slime with the Library’s school-age program. | |
Tue, Oct. 6 | Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Ave. | Art, games, comics, and more for teens and young adults. | |
Wed, Oct. 7 | John Heinz Refuge Visitor Center, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd. | Opening date listed on the submitted exhibition flyer. Please note the October 8 to 10 full-refuge closure. | |
Wed, Oct. 7 | Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. | Garden exploration, a walk, and stories for children ages 2 to 4. Registration information is on the organizer’s page. | |
Wed, Oct. 7 | Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Ave. | Paint with cotton balls. For children ages 6 and older. | |
Thu, Oct. 8 | Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Ave. | Practice cursive writing with the Library’s school-age program. | |
Sat, Oct. 10 | Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Ave. | Local multiplayer PS4 games for children ages 6 and older. No online gaming. | |
Sun, Oct. 11 | FDR Park Boathouse | Free 20-minute paddle-boat sessions on Edgewood Lake. Check the organizer page for current participation details. | |
Tue, Oct. 13 | Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Ave. | Scavenger hunt, facepainting, crafts, donuts, and cider for children and families. | |
Wed, Oct. 14 | Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Ave. | Make a pumpkin craft using beads. | |
Sat, Oct. 17 | Go Bag Giveaway | Eastwick Recreation Center | Flood-preparedness worksheets, go-bag supplies, and fire-resistant document bags. The first 30 participants will receive a $25 Visa card. Questions: [email protected]. |
Tue, Oct. 20 | Ready to Root: Volunteer & Tree Distribution Day | Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center, 700 Cobbs Creek Parkway | Tree tagging and sorting, pre-ordered pick-ups, partner tables, activities, speakers, a tree walk, and limited no-cost yard trees for people who did not pre-order. Registration and volunteer sign-up QR code on the flyer. |
The Eastwick Library will be closed Monday, October 12 for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. For event changes, capacity, or weather updates, please check the organizer links before traveling.
đź’ˇCOMMUNITY RESOURCES
Clearview and Lower Darby Updates Subscribe to the EPA Lower Darby RedFlag notification service for regular updates about Clearview Landfill and Eastwick City Park.
The Eastwick Library at 2851 Island Avenue offers free programs, computers, printing, Wi-Fi, and family resources. Check 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, please reply to this email directly.
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