Clean Air Council And Feet First Philly Announce 7 Recipients Of Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grants

Philadelphia, PA [March 18, 2021] – Clean Air Council and Feet First Philly, in partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, are pleased to announce the recipients of our first pedestrian enhancement mini-grants. The chosen projects represent seven distinct neighborhoods and seven distinct strategies to address barriers to walking and rolling. 

Chew and Chelten CDC/RCO – The project revamps an unoccupied newsstand with a community informed mural painted by a local artist Serafina Harris. The mural will exhibit, “images of positive and daring young black men and women stepping into a better future.” 

Hunting Park Community Garden – Funding to be used to create an outdoor community space that includes tables, chairs, and a summer misting fan in partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia and Lenfest Center.

Kensington Neighborhood Association – The Association plans to demolish and repour a concrete sidewalk that is currently damaged to create an “access point for any interested gardeners to come and enjoy the garden space.”

Cobbs Creek Ambassador Program – The project engages volunteers to “adopt sections of the park to clean up,” creating a model of hyper-local resident led stewardship with a low barrier to entry. Funding will go to “ambassador startup kits” that include cleanup essentials like, trash bags, gloves, shovels, rakes, brooms, and trash cans. 

Village Arts and Humanities – Located in the Fairhill-Hartranft section of Philadelphia, received funding to install a creative art crosswalk to increase the visibility of a pedestrian space along a commercial corridor. 

The Enterprise Center CDC in collaboration with Blackwell Regional Library in West Philadelphia will use mini-grant funds for a parklet project on 52nd Street featuring a “mix of both fixed and removable seating, greenery, and public art.”

Centennial East Parkside CDC working with WeWalkPHL will survey residents to identify both physical and social barriers to pedestrians when accessing West Fairmount Park from the Parkside neighborhood. The survey will take place during their Juneteenth celebration to “assess the neighborhood’s walkability, photograph and document problem areas, and brainstorm creative approaches.”

Read these quotes from some of the mini-grant recipients

“Centennial Parkside CDC is excited about the opportunities in receiving the Feet First Philly Pedestrian Mini-Grant. It will allow us to more thoroughly survey and shine a light on pedestrian safety as our organization becomes increasingly more aware, thus more sensitive to the needs of our community to improve safer walkability.” – Tashia Rayon, Program Director Centennial Parkside CDC

 “I love Cobbs Creek. This is where I live, work, and play. That’s why I really care about keeping it beautiful. I had no idea resources like this mini-grant were available. When I started facilitating Power Hour Cleanups (where I engage other neighbors in cleaning up a section of Cobbs Creek that I’ve adopted), I just used my own resources for supplies but now, I don’t have to have that financial burden. More importantly, I can encourage other people to adopt and clean up their own section of Cobbs Creek and can use these funds to provide them with the right tools. I am so thankful to the Clean Air Council and Feet First Philly for making this possible.” – Temwa Wright, Cobbs Creek Ambassador Program

“The Enterprise Center CDC is excited to be awarded a Feet First Philly grant and to partner with Blackwell Regional Library to pilot a parklet at the library location on 52nd Street. Piloting new things and achieving small wins are the steps we must take as we work towards larger neighborhood revitalization goals over time. The 52nd Street business corridor is the ‘Main Street’ of West Philadelphia, and Blackwell Library is a key anchor institution along the corridor. We hope with this project to demonstrate innovative ways to engage businesses and community members while making the street a safer and more inviting place for doing business, shopping, and community gathering.” – Jesse Blitzstein, Enterprise Center CDC