PHILADELPHIA, PA (August 1, 2025) Feet First Philly (FFP), a pedestrian advocacy project of the Clean Air Council, launched the sixth round of its Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant program in partnership with Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health’s Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention. The initiative funds projects aimed at improving Philadelphia’s pedestrian environment and public spaces, with mini-grant recipients receiving funding ranging from $500 to $2,000 to create public space enhancements and safety improvements. FFP is hosting an informational webinar on August 20th for those interested in learning more about the program.
“Since 2020, the Mini-Grant program has successfully funded 64 projects led by community groups across the Greater Philadelphia region,” said Titania Markland, Clean Air Council Sustainable Transportation Program Manager. “We have received exciting project proposals over the past 5 years, and we are excited for the new grant proposals that we will receive this round. We look forward to continuing to fund public space improvements in communities throughout Philadelphia.”
“The Health Department continues to support investment in our public spaces as an integral part of a cleaner, greener, safer, more active and more connected Philadelphia. We value our partnership with Clean Air Council – Feet First Philly to provide the Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grants, which bolster inspiring community-led work to improve and activate public spaces throughout our city.,” said Dr. Kinnari Chandriani, Director of the Health Department’s Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention.
In 2020, FFP launched its first Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant program with seven projects that were led by and benefited local communities. Since then, the program has awarded many mini-grants to local organizations all over Philadelphia and provided funding to:
- Extend efforts to clean up the Cobbs Creek Trail
- Create a pocket park in Southwest Philadelphia
- Replace a severely damaged sidewalk outside of a community garden in Kensington
- Paint a mural on a newsstand in Germantown
- Paint an artistic crosswalk in North Philadelphia
- Help develop community gardens all over the city
- Add amenities to a local meadow to make it a walking destination
- Install bike racks to prevent illegal sidewalk parking outside of a school
With the mini-grant funding, FFP and its partner organizations have been able to enhance public spaces in Philadelphia in unique ways. For the full list of projects awarded during the 2024-2025 5th round, read more here.
“Pedestrian advocacy projects bring communities together to create safer and healthier spaces,” said Sally Hecht, a Clean Air Council Transportation Program Coordinator. “They bring people from all walks of life together and make neighborhoods around Philadelphia safer and healthier. Through the Mini-Grants, we can give Philadelphians the ability to build their communities in ways that benefit and directly support their neighbors.”
Safety is a top priority for this program, and applicants are encouraged to identify ways their project can improve safety in their communities.
FFP continues to receive funding from the Department of Public Health for the Mini-Grants. If you are interested in applying or want more information, attend the webinar on August 20th at 12:00 PM (noon) EST. Applicants can email shecht@cleanair.org to schedule a one-on-one meeting with Clean Air Council staff to discuss their project ideas. Applications for the Mini-Grant are open until Wednesday, October 1st at 11:59 PM EST.
Feet First Philly’s Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant Program is back again for the sixth year. This grant program has funded over 64 projects across Philadelphia since 2020, and all city residents and community groups are invited to apply.
This program has a funding focus on supporting communities that historically have had less investment (or active disinvestment) in the built environment and city services. Feet First Philly seeks projects that improve walkability by making neighborhoods safer and easier to walk and roll in. The program has supported many different types of projects over the past few years, based on the belief that residents know their community best and are the best advocates to identify and carry out public space improvements.
Feet First Philly is partnering again with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to provide funding for projects to create and improve public spaces, particularly in underserved communities. Mini-Grants between $500 and $2,000 will be awarded to address the financial and technical barriers that organizations face when creating or improving public spaces.
Funding can be used to support public space projects, including construction materials, educational materials, event costs, insurance, stipends, staff time, or other needs. Be creative and improve a public space that matters to your community.
You can download the Request For Proposal (RFP) here.
Applications are now open! Applications due on October 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM.
The Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant Application is open. Use the Google form below to submit your application, email questions to shecht@cleanair.org.
We will be hosting an informational online webinar on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 12:00 PM, discussing the application & awarding process, hearing from previous years awardees, and more!
Have questions for us? Request a one-on-one session to discuss your application between now and September 22nd by emailing Sally Hecht, Clean Air Council’s Sustainable Transportation Program Coordinator at shecht@cleanair.org with times that work best for you.
Read about our past mini-grant recipients
First year of mini-grant projects
Second year of mini-grant projects part 1
Second year of mini-grant project part 2
Third year of mini-grant projects part 1
Third year mini-grant projects part 2
Fourth-year mini-grant projects
Fifth year mini-grant projects
The Cobbs Creek Watershed Coalition works to protect not only Cobbs Creek itself, but also the neighborhoods that surround it. One issue that has come up again and again is the deteriorating condition of the Elmwood Park Plaza parking lot at 70th and Elmwood Avenue (6930 Elmwood Avenue). Despite being a regular topic at community meetings and civic discussions, the problems in this area remain unresolved, raising both safety and environmental concerns for residents.
Neighbors report that the parking lot has become a site for illegal auto repair activity, creating a range of hazards. According to Philadelphia city code, public parking lots are intended for one purpose: parking cars. Performing auto repairs in these spaces is not only illegal, it’s dangerous. In Elmwood Park Plaza, it’s common to see cars being serviced openly, with tools, oil containers, and car parts scattered around the lot.
This activity contributes to unsafe conditions for pedestrians and shoppers. Large piles of empty motor oil containers, spilled fluids, and various auto-related waste are often found on-site. These materials create fire hazards and pose slipping risks, especially in wet or icy weather. Beyond the immediate safety issues, this kind of pollution can also harm the local watershed. Runoff from oil, antifreeze, and other contaminants can make its way into storm drains and eventually reach Cobbs Creek.
The Cobbs Creek Watershed Coalition recognizes that protecting the watershed also means protecting the health, safety, and quality of life in nearby communities like Elmwood. That’s why we’re encouraging residents to speak up and report what they see.
If you’d like to take action, here’s how:
Report Code Violations to the Department of Licenses & Inspections (L&I):
South District Code Enforcement Unit
2401 Walnut St., Suite 502, Philadelphia, PA 19103
📞 (215) 685-1510
You don’t need to be an expert—just call and say that you use Elmwood Park Plaza and the volume of auto repair activity is creating unsafe and unsanitary conditions.
Let Your Councilmember Know:
Council President Kenyatta Johnson’s office wants to hear from you, especially if you’ve reported this issue to L&I.
📞 (215) 686-3412 or (215) 686-3413
Abandoned Vehicles Are a Nuisance:
Unregistered or abandoned cars in the lot should be reported to the Philadelphia Parking Authority:
📞 (215) 683-9773
🌐 philapark.org/nuisance
For additional questions or support, contact Russell Zerbo at Clean Air Council:
📧 rzerbo@cleanair.org
📞 (215) 567-4004 x130
By reporting these ongoing issues, you’re helping to improve public safety, protect the environment, and ensure that all of Southwest Philadelphia including the neighborhoods around Cobbs Creek remains a healthy and thriving place to live.
