Spring is on the way, so there will be a number of upcoming opportunities to improve our neighborhood and connect with our community. Here is what the EPX board has been working on, and events you can look forward to.
EPX Beautification:
Once again EPX will be participating the the city-wide Spring Street Clean Up Saturday April 10th, 2021. Those who are interested in volunteering will meet at 9:30am in the East Passyunk Crossing Community Garden (1016 Watkins Street.) Tools and safety gear provided and please wear a mask. We will be cleaning up 7th Street from Tasker to Snyder. If you plan to attend, RSVP to beautification@epcrossing.org. RSVPs preferred (so we can estimate tools) but not required. We will be complying with COVID protocols including limiting the number of volunteers to 20, masking, and social distancing.
For those with a back yard, EPX will be assisting with a FREE Yard Tree giveaway Saturday May 15th at FDR park, at the American Swedish Historical Museum 1900 Pattison Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19145 from 9:30am – 3:00pm you can sign up here to arrange a pickup time. Supplies are limited, so sign up now.
Applications are open for our fall street tree planting – you can apply for a street tree at tinyurl.com/epxtree.
Dellavalentina Garden Memorial:
When board member Stephanie Dellavalentina passed away September 13th, 2020, she left a hole in our community. A vivacious member of the neighborhood, Stephanie’s legacy will be one of her passions and generosity. In the autumn, EPX Community Garden members Daren and Bill transplanted her beloved rhododendron into the community garden, where it is taking root and sheltering spring’s first daffodils. In memory of Stephanie’s love and involvement with our Community Garden, EPX is continuing to raise funds for a memorial, possibly if goals can be reached, to fund an entrance gate. If you would like to contribute, please contact us or make a tax-deductible donation here.
Updates on EPX Public Art Projects:
Thank you to everyone who participated in our mural survey! EPX will be applying for a Mural Arts Grant to bring a new mural to our streets. If our application is selected by mural arts, they will have say in the location, artist, and theme of the mural, with community input. Here were some of the suggestions from survey responses.Â
Of our current EPX public art there are two which are in need upkeep and repair. One is the “River to River” mosaic in front of Trumark Financial at Passyunk and Broad, and the other is the 4 part mural “Passyunk Passageways” at 13th & Mifflin. We are communicating with Mural Arts regarding materials and funding, and are looking for volunteers to help us keep our art in good repair. Let us know your interest by emailing muralideas@epcrossing.org.
EPCC News:
The East Passyunk Community Recreation Center will host a a socially-distanced Bunny Hop for neighborhood families, Saturday April 3rd, from 10am until noon.Â
Public Notifications:
Councilmember Mark Squilla has tabled proposed legislation to regulate short term rentals such as Airbnb properties to give residents more time to comment You can download the bill on our website, and let us know what you think.
Wednesday March 31 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m will be a virtual discussion on the public involvement program for the Legacy Environmental Cleanup of the former Philadelphia Refinery. For information about environmental cleanup at the former Philadelphia Refinery, please visit www.phillyrefinerycleanup.info. There will be limited presentation during the planned session in order to allow maximum time for discussion. The public is encouraged to review the website for information prior to the session.Â
March General Membership Meeting Recap:
Our March 2021 General Membership Meeting featured guest speaker Bryan Fenstermaker, Executive Director of Passyunk Avenue Redevelopment Corporation, who updated us on the results of the singing fountain survey and presented a redesign for the area. We also hosted breakout rooms discussing street trees, the spring cleanup, and the community garden.Â
You can view the recorded meeting on our Facebook. To sign in as having “attended” the meeting please complete this form tinyurl.com/epxmar21. Attendance at three (3) EPX General Membership Meetings in a previous 12-month period is required to be eligible to participate in our annual EPX Board nominations and election processes, as well as for potential items up for vote to the membership at general membership meetings.
The next EPX General Meeting will be Monday, April 5th at 7PM held via zoom. Speakers will include SEPTA presenting the accessibility project for the Tasker St Station and Sanitation Streets Department Q&A. Please reach out to contact@epcrossing.org if you have anything you would like us to address at this meeting.
Upcoming Virtual Meeting & Distanced Events:
- April 2021 General Membership Meeting:
- Monday, April 5th, 2021 7PM Speakers will include SEPTA presenting the accessibility project for the Tasker St Station and Sanitation Streets Department Q&A Meeting ID: 424 958 3223  Passcode: 061886 https://zoom.us/j/4249583223?pwd=aitVYzVjWDI5SVlmNVVNQnNzaUxJdz09
- Zoning:
- Monday, April 12th, 2021Â 7PM Meeting ID: 424 958 3223Â Â Passcode: 061886 https://zoom.us/j/4249583223?pwd=aitVYzVjWDI5SVlmNVVNQnNzaUxJdz09
- Membership & Outreach:
- Mural Walking Tour (tentative) May 15th
- History Walking Tour (tentative) June 12th
- Beautification:
- Spring Street Cleanup Saturday April 10th
- Seed Swap (tentative) Saturday April 17th
- Street Tree Planting Saturday April 24th
- Plant Swap (tentative) Saturday May 8th
- Yard Tree Give Away Saturday May15th
- Follow Beautification on Facebook
- Friends of Southwark Follow Friends of Southwark on Facebook
