October 2003
photos: Robert Siddall
Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter
Children's activities included crafts, face painting,
Sean Joe and April Marinel of the CPN board draw the winning raffle tickets. Lucky ticket holders won gift certificates to local shops and restaurants, a night and dinner at the Inn at Penn, plants from Albrecht's Nursery and many other prizes. The Grand Prize, a weekend trip to New York went to Larry Jouhill, owner of Wise Buys Furniture Store at 46th and Baltimore.
Judy Gernon (front) staffs CPN membership table with backup from Jim Kurtz (l) & Carol Walker (r).
Mr. Partial Skeleton Man performed a song teaching us that we all have 206 bones in our body!
Fair Weather: A Day of Fun, Food, Music and Prizes at the Cedar Park Fair eautiful weather graced the annual B Cedar Park Fair, held on Saturday, September 21. Children's activities and events, food, craft vendors, public information services and entertainment filled the park all day long. Catharine Street was transformed into a volleyball court for the teenage volleyball tournament, supervised by Catharine Street block captain Eugene Clark. The Fencing Academy of Philadel-
phia demonstrated the skills of swordplay, and Partial Skeleton Man sang original songs. The fair came to a climax with a rousing performance by the Eastwick Commandoes drill team. Special thanks go to Roger Harman and Wayne Marquardt, fair organizers, to Central City Toyota, our principal sponsor for the fourth consecutive year, to Urban and Bye Real Estate, and all of the other generous sponsors!
Nancy Chapin supervised many of the young children's activities. Thanks, Nancy!
President’s Message: Baltimore Avenue In Perspective By Maureen Tate any of our members are aware of M neighborhood discussions in local papers and e-mail communications concerning the Baltimore Avenue Commercial Corridor Project that include misinformation and distortions concerning this project. Cedar Park Neighbors has been reporting regularly in this newsletter on the hard work and fruitful efforts of Corridor Manager, Eli Massar, toward the improvement of the Baltimore Avenue corridor. It may be helpful at this time to place this work in its larger context for those of us who forget or are new to Cedar Park and may lack the historical perspective to evaluate some of the challenges raised about this worthwhile effort. Cedar Park Neighbors has nearly 50 years experience advocating for the residents of Cedar Park. We know there are those who fear change, and past experience indicates that many efforts, once challenged, have resulted in further stabilization and revitalization. The Baltimore Commercial Corridor Project is not an isolated effort but rather has a context going back more than 15 years to the development of the Firehouse Market by CPN as a cornerstone business at 50th street to anchor the Baltimore commercial corridor further west and spur interest in a deteriorating business district. That project, one that also met stiff resistance at times, is now a valued community asset, owned by a community resident. During that same difficult period, CPN founded a police mini-station on Baltimore and sponsored drug vigils when open drug markets held corners along the corridor. A West Philadelphia Future Fund was formed to support minority owned businesses at the Firehouse and on the
Avenue. Greening groups entered in with their vision for a cleaner, greener corridor and projects by Baltimore Avenue in Bloom, UC Green, Cross Baltimore Tree Tenders and the Florence Garden Project further reinforced the corridor with tree plantings on the Avenue and along the park, triangle landscaping and 49th Street greening to encourage foot traffic to the Firehouse. Neighbors concerned about abandoned property along the Avenue generated discussions within the CPN Board about how we could bring the resources and attention of the organization to this problem. Cultural opportunities were also proposed for Baltimore Avenue that resulted in such programs as the Firehouse Jazz Series and concerts at Calvary Church, now blossoming as the Calvary Center for Community and Culture and home to the Crossroads World Music series. All of these efforts can and should be seen together as a concentrated effort that has steadily been making a difference. During this time, CPN participated with other community associations in supporting a trial cleaning district initiated and funded by residents. Though successful, this effort proved unsustainable with such tenuous funding. Later our institutional neighbors picked up the concept, and thankfully the funding, for what later emerged as the University City District. In response to community feedback, safety ambassadors and cleaning crews were gradually drawn further west to 50th street. However, the UCD has never refused a request by CPN to assist with particular problems west of 50th from picking up dumped tires to assisting with crime and safety concerns. Many of us in continued on page 4
Block Leaders Conference Planned for Saturday, November 8, 2003 Calling All Block Captains: from 46th TO 52nd, Kingsessing to Larchwood Cedar Park Neighbors will sponsor a BLOCK LEADERS CONFERENCE on Saturday, November 8, 2003 from 9 am until noon, at Hickman Temple AME Church, 50th & Baltimore Avenues. This forum will provide an opportunity for block leaders and representatives who are working on similar issues to meet, greet, exchange ideas and learn how Page 2
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to be more effective in working for our neighborhoods. Speakers will address: crime and safety, quality of life concerns, License & Inspections enforcement and community greening. There will be small groups for more detailed information sharing. All participants will receive a new Block Leaders Kit. Lunch
will follow the program at noon. There is no cost for the program or lunch. This forum is for block captains/representatives within our boundaries, but interested parties are welcome. Please let us know you are coming by contacting Carol Walker at 215-474-8505 or Maureen Tate at 215-726-8664 or tatemch@aol.com
Block Leaders Conference Saturday, November 8 9 am-noon Hickman Temple AME Church 50th & Baltimore Avenue
Crossroads Project: Cedar Park Improvement Moves Forward By Sean Joe, CPN Vice-President ur community shares a name with O Cedar Park (49th to 50th, between Baltimore and Catherine), yet the deteriorated condition of the Park does not reflect the beauty and vitality of our neighborhood. An improvement project for Cedar Park is long overdue. Its location at the heart of our community on Baltimore Avenue, a major traffic corridor through University City, and its proximity to local daycare facilities and churches shows how important this park is for the community. A central part of CPN’s Crossroads Project, the Cedar Park Improvement committee was formed to move this project ahead, and the committee has been very busy since the spring community meeting. The Cedar Park Improvement Committee is made up of residents from Catherine Street, representatives of Hickman Temple, Baltimore Avenue businesses, Philadelphia Horticultural Society/Philadelphia Green, the Baltimore Avenue Corridor Manager, Resources for Human Development Shelter and Cedar Park Neighbors members. The committee has held several meetings to advance efforts to renovate Cedar Park. Expert landscaping and architectural advise is being provide by the Community Design Collaborative, a not-for profit organization of architects that work on community initiatives in the Philadelphia area, for a minimal fee. CPN has contracted with the Collaborative to create a preliminary but detailed plan for park improvement. After several committee meetings with the Collaborative and park observation, a preliminary multiphase design for the park improvement has been developed that builds upon the many assets that exist in the park. The initial plan was displayed at the CPN Fair and received positive feedback. Based on the plan, CPN has submitted a proposal to Citizens Bank to support Phase I of the park improvement plan and is exploring other potential funding sources. The goal of the first phase of the project is to design, develop, and implement a plan for
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enhancing the appearance, safety, and utility of a unique but deteriorating park, thus renewing this area as a vibrant center of community life. Broad support is forming for this important project. CPN has met with the Department of Recreation and Councilwoman Blackwell’s office to discuss additional city support for our local park. Meetings with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society indicate that funding and expertise may be available for one aspect of the plan. The committee’s next step is to work with the Department of Recreation and other potential supporters to revise the plan and develop a timeline for implementation. We will then share the plan at our next community meeting for broader reactions. Cedar Park has many features that are regarded as assets by the community that would be enhanced by additional renovations. Cedar Park is a green focal point that beautifies a busy commercial corridor and complements the impressive architecture of nearby Hickman Temple and the Historic Firehouse. The park has many mature, healthy trees that frame the residential area to the north and provide a pleasant and shielded view of the business district for Catharine street households. Because of its central location it is frequently used for larger community events. The primary play area is adequate to meet the needs of young children and provides a play outlet for nearby Hickman Daycare Center. The park’s size makes ongoing maintenance very manageable. Improvement to Cedar Park landscaping and play equipment will increase the use of this green space by individuals, community groups, and families with young children as well as increase pedestrian traffic along our Baltimore Ave business corridor. The improvement of the park would indicate to our fellow neighbors and visitors alike that Cedar Park is a stable, safe and pleasant community in which to live, work, shop and play. For additional information about the Cedar Park Improvement Project please contact Sean Joe at sjoe@ssw.upenn.edu or Maureen Tate at tatemch@aol.com.
Saturday, October 25 Household Hazardous Wastes Collection It’s easy to safely dispose of hazardous waste at Philadelphia’s 15th Drop-Off Event for HHW items. Bring items to the dropoff site on 63rd Street northwest of Passyunk Avenue from 9 am to 3 pm. Bring items labeled TOXIC, FLAMMABLE, CORROSIVE, or REACTIVE. For additional information call 215-686-5560 or visit www.phila.gov/streets
Saturday, October 25 “Peoplehood” is Coming Peoplehood is an all-city giant puppet parade and pageant celebrating Philadelphia’s neighborhoods, organized by West Philadelphia’s Spiral Q Puppet Theater. The sixth annual parade begins at 1 pm at the Paul Robeson House, 4951 Walnut Street in West Philadelphia, and winds its way to Clark Park at 45th and Chester for an enormous pageant performed by hundreds of participants in the natural “bowl” at the park. For more information call 215-222-6979, or email spiralq@spiralq.org.
Sunday October 26 University City Garden Club Annual General Meeting and Local Garden Tours Meet at 2pm on the corner of 43rd and Chester Avenue to see the ongoing work at the University of Sciences lot. Following the tour at 3pm the Annual General Meeting and election of officers will be held at USP Room 102 of Rosenberger Hall. Friends and potential new members are welcome to this free event. For more information call 215-386-3905 or email PENN@earthlink.net
October 2003
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Baltimore Avenue, continued from page 2 Cedar Park have benefited personally by UCD services and Cedar Park Neighbors enjoys a positive collaboration with the UCD on many efforts. In 2001, at the invitation of the Spruce Hill Community Association, many organizations working for the improvement of Baltimore Avenue came together to see what else could be done. The Baltimore Avenue Planning Group, a volunteer advocacy group, was formed. Funds had been donated to Spruce Hill specifically for commercial corridor development. CPN participated along with representatives from the Baltimore Avenue Business Association, Baltimore Avenue in Bloom, UC Green and Spruce Hill. Our representatives regularly reported to the CPN Board and updates were provided to the membership in our newsletter. The Planning Group selected the UCD to conduct a Retail Market Study for Baltimore Avenue to assess community sentiments about the shopping district. CPN helped circulate these surveys. Proposals were written and funds secured to do a Design and Vision Study in March 2002 and to hire a full time Corridor Manager to continue the coordination of this effort. It was great news when we learned that funds had become available through the William Penn Foundation for the Corridor Initiative and from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to hire a full time Corridor Manager to continue this work. Members may recall previous newsletters reporting on these developments. From his first week on the job, Corridor Manager Eli Massar has been a tremendous resource to Cedar Park Neighbors and other community groups. In one year’s time we have benefited from his assistance with a problem regarding the 47th Street parking lot, facilitation of two new murals for Baltimore Avenue, street cleaning, tree planting, a future Avenue display window for Cedar Park Neighbors, Cedar Park clean-up and maintenance, negotiating city licensing and zoning bureaucracy, outreach to businesses, strategizing on our neighborhood marketing campaign and improvements to the Baltimore Avenue Liquor Store as well as assisting with a successful transition at the Firehouse Market and the work of the CPN Park Improvement Committee. Three new businesses have found their place on Baltimore Avenue with Eli’s help and neighbors were delighted to see a Farm to City market arrive at Cedar Park this year. CPN regularly receives direct calls from businesses wanting to locate to the Avenue and we are now able to refer them to someone who can represent the possibilities and help negotiate Page 4
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the realities of setting up a new business for success. Eli has eagerly responded to requests for assistance from Cedar Park Neighbors and has presented about his work to our Board and his efforts have been communicated in our monthly newsletter. Efforts toward bringing our local businesses into compliance with City codes for health and safety have raised challenges about perceived harassment of local businesses by the University City District and particularly the Corridor Manager. The Department of Licenses & Inspection (L&I) does routine non-discriminatory enforcement. Eli has consulted regularly with Cedar Park Neighbors about strategies for Baltimore Avenue. This has included L&I enforcement but also façade improvements, merchandise at certain establishments, illegal behavior at local businesses that has been reported to CPN, marketing strategies, zoning for new businesses and many other issues. Residents of Cedar Park frequently question why our community has to settle for property and business conditions that would be unacceptable in other neighborhoods and are in violation of city codes. These concerns are expressed to CPN via block meetings, block leaders, businesses owners and church leaders who reflect all race, ethnic and income groups within our community. While some businesses have objected to routine L&I enforcement, it should be noted that most of our businesses are in compliance with city ordinances and Eli has been conscientiously working to assist those who learned they were not in compliance. This is good news for Baltimore Avenue and for Cedar Park residents who have the right to expect quality businesses. The ability of Cedar Park Neighbors to effectively address community concerns regarding quality of life issues, crime and safety, economic development and property/ housing issues has been supported tremendously by the resources of the University City District. There is much at stake for our community if the challenges of a few, who are uninvolved and misinformed, have the ability to undermine years of hard work done by so many people for the betterment of our neighborhood. I encourage our members to be vocal in reaffirming our support for the Baltimore Avenue Corridor Project and for our Corridor Manager, Eli Massar. Eli’s office is located in the small office immediately next to the main door of the Firehouse Market at 50th and Baltimore. Stop in and find out more about his efforts on behalf of our community. He is open to listening to your concerns and ideas for our business corridor.
Speak Out! To express your support of the Baltimore Avenue Commercial Corridor Project, write to Eric Goldstein, Director University City District 3940-42 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 or email eric@ucityphila.org
Membership Coupon
Cedar Park Neighbors Needs You!
YES, I want to make Cedar Park a better place. My annual Cedar Park Neighbors membership dues are enclosed.
Cedar Park Neighbors welcomes your participation. Please check your areas of interest and return the form to CPN, Calvary Community Center, 4740 Baltimore Ave, Phila, PA 19143
___ New Member ___ Renewal
_____ Block Organizing
_____ Neighborhood Clean-up Committee
___ $7 Individual
_____ Cedar Park Fair
_____ Neighborhood Safety
___ $10 Household (2 persons or more)
_____ Community Development _____ Newsletter (writing, publishing, delivery)
___ $20 Business
_____ Education
_____ Recycling Project
___ $5 Senior/Student/Unemployed
_____ Fundraising
_____ Scholarship Fund Committee
___ $30 Sponsor
_____ Greening Activities
_____ Website
Enclosed is my additional contribution
_____ Holiday Baskets
_____ Zoning Committee
of $________________________
_____ Membership Committee
Name Address
Phone Email ____ I would like a free CPN T-shirt with my renewal of $30 or more. Adult Size: ___M ___L ___XL
Membership Committee News By Jim Kurtz, Membership Chair o you know someone who is new to D the neighborhood? The CPN membership committee recently agreed to grant a one year membership to new homeowners and businesses who have relocated in Cedar Park within the past year. We want to welcome our new neighbors, and we hope that after one year of reading our great newsletter they will be motivated to join and become involved in CPN. We need your help to identify new households, individuals or businesses. Send the names, addresses and, if possible, the email addresses of new neighbors to us via post or contact@cedarparkneighbors.org. Our goal is to broaden CPN’s membership base. Our newsletter designer and co-editor, Judy Lamirand, has designed a new membership flier which includes a brief description of our representations and recent accomplishments, a map of the CPN catchment area and a membership coupon. We want to get the fliers in the hands of as many potential new members
as possible. Plans include setting up a “membership table” at the Firehouse during several recycling Saturdays this autumn. If you would like ten, twenty or even more copies of the membership flier to give to your neighbors and friends contact Jim Kurtz at 215-724-0399 or contact@cedarparkneighbors.org.
Local Businesses Sponsor Newsletter If you are a business owner and would like to promote your business through the Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter, we have an offer for you! Beginning with this issue (thanks to the Firehouse Market) we will offer local businesses the opportunity to “sponsor” a newsletter. For the cost of $100 the sponsor will place an exclusive one-page advertising insert into the newsletter. We circulate approximately 400 newsletters with each issue, so it is a great opportunity to reach out to local customers. For more information please email contact@cedarparkneighbors.org or call Jim Kurtz at 215-724 0399.
This issue of the CPN Newsletter has been sponsored by the Firehouse Farmer’s Market. October 2003
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c/o Calvary Community Center 4740 Baltimore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143 contact@cedarparkneighbors.org
CPN Mission Statement: Cedar Park Neighbors is an association of diverse households and businesses based in the Cedar Park neighborhood of West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The purpose of the association shall be to foster collaboration among all persons living and working in the Cedar Park neighborhood, to promote community development, to provide a forum for communication and community education, to respond to neighborhood concerns and to advocate for and promote the general welfare of the Cedar Park community. Send Newsletter items to: 4820 Florence Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143 tatemch@aol.com Newsletter Editors: Maureen Tate & Judy Lamirand Newsletter Design: Judy Lamirand, Parallel Design
All Aboard! An Invitation to Become a CPN Board Member By Maureen Tate, CPN President ave you wondered how folks come H together to accomplish great things in our neighborhood? Are the projects you are reading about exciting? Do you have your own ideas about ways to build a stronger community? Would you like to work with your neighbors on community issues? Have you thought about joining the Cedar Park Neighbors Board? We hope that you have answered “yes!� to all of the above, because the CPN Board is extending an invitation to all CPN members to consider Board leadership. In recent months, due to personal situations involving relocations, weddings and new babies, some of our board members regretfully have had to resign from their positions, and there are now vacancies on the Board. Because we feel that a full Board enables us to have the broadest input from the community, we would like to fill those vacancies pursuant to our bylaws, which allow for interim appointments between elections. Page 6
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Board members are expected to attend monthly meetings, respond to communications between meetings on issues before the Board, participate in at least one Board or program committee, and promote and represent the organization to the wider community. We are hoping that both new and long-time members will consider this invitation seriously. Prior Board experience does not disqualify you from consideration. In fact, some of our members who were active on the Board many years ago may find this is the perfect time to step back in with years of well-cultivated neighborhood wisdom to share. It is a wonderful time to be involved. The organization has a strong member base, a long range plan and active committees that are doing wonderful work on behalf of our neighborhood. Hopefully you are feeling that tug of interest or curiosity. Please contact Maureen Tate at 215-726-8664 or tatemch@aol.com to discuss the possibility further. Nominations for interim appointments will be considered at the November Board meeting.
CPN Board of Directors President Maureen Tate, 726-8664 tatemch@aol.com Vice-Presidents Carol Walker, 474-8505 Sean Joe, 474-4411 Secretary Jim Masen, 662-1978 Treasurer Karen Allen, 727-8349 Dorothy Welch Berlind Miriam Churchwell John Ellingsworth Eric Grau Roger Harman James R. Kurtz Lisa Johanningsmeier Melani Lamond James D. Lander Wayne Marquardt Reggie Morgan