Special Issue
Cedar Park Neighbors Street Beat An Invitation from the President Dear New Friends: We are out and about, making new friends and re-connecting with old ones. We want to tell you about the latest “goings on” regarding Cedar Park Neighbors. Don’t miss out — talk with us about your interests, and read about just some of the things that Cedar Park is up to. Come join us!
Carol Walker, CPN President
Seven Reasons to Get Involved with Cedar Park Neighbors Members of Cedar Park Neighbors have an opportunity to be informed AND to have their voices heard, regarding new developments and improvements from 46th to 52nd and from Kingsessing to Larchwood (those are our boundaries). Learn more about: 1. The Crossroads Project – a plan to beautify and the blocks immediately surrounding 49th Street and Baltimore Avene, the heart of Cedar Park. 2. Cedar Park Neighbors Scholarships – Each year CPN awards scholarships to neighborhood high school graduates and continuing college students. Do you know of someone that fits this criteria? The scholarships range from $600 per student. Applicants must live within the boundaries of Cedar Park, be accepted at a post secondary school, be involved in the betterment of the neighborhood and demonstrate financial need. If you know someone SIGN THEM UP!!
3. Firehouse Recycling – first and third Saturday, 9 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 4. Cedar Park Improvement – exciting renovations are planned for our park at 50th and Baltimore Avenue. 5. Zoning Support – learn all about the zoning process and participate in public forums with your neighbors as we help to resolve zoning issues. 6. Cedar Park Fair – Every September, join in the fun and games for the entire family at our neighborhood park. Raffle prizes include dinner for two at an exclusive restaurant, a trip to Atlantic City, and more!!! 7. Block Improvement Grants – Get to know your neighbors while planting trees, beautifying your block, and having fun – all at the same time! ...and much, much more!
Don’t miss out – Join Cedar Park Neighbors and stay informed!
Calvary Community Center 4740 Baltimore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143 www.cedarparkneighbors.org 267-531-4147
Cedar Park Neighbors – Active and Involved! Zoning Efforts
Cedar Park Recycles! Hundreds of residents participate in the Firehouse Recycling Project. On the first and third Thursday of each month, residents bring mixed paper and #1 and #2 plastics to the Firehouse Market at 50th and Baltimore Avenue. This project raises over $4,000 annually for our Scholarship Program and community projects.
What do you do when you see a glaring orange sign posting of a zoning change on a nearby property? Don’t panic…call the CPN Zoning Committee! Residents and businesses regularly get assistance and support from Cedar Park Neighbors when faced with zoning changes or concerns. The CPN Zoning Committee monitors zoning notices, solicits community input about proposed zoning changes, communicates neighbors’ positions to city officials, intervenes in zoning disputes, and represents Cedar Park before the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Cedar Park Fair
Scholarships Each summer, Cedar Park Neighbors awards up to 7 scholarships to neighborhood high school graduates and continuing college students. Begun in 1989 to encourage our neighborhood youth to attend college, the program has since made 79 awards for a total of $36,950 to 36 young neighbors with aspirations and commitment to our community. The Scholarship Program is funded by direct contributions from residents of Cedar Park as well as funds generated through the Firehouse Recycling Program. Qualified applicants must live within Cedar Park, graduate from high school, be accepted at a post-secondary school, be involved in the betterment of the neighborhood, and demonstrate financial need. The awards are generally $600 per student. The application deadline is July 1 of each year and award decisions made by August 1. Applications and information available on the CPN website. Spread the word! Page 2
CPN Newsletter
Our annual autumn fair in Cedar Park at 50th and Baltimore Avenue features food, crafts, local musical talent, and a raffle with prizes from neighborhood businesses as well as lots of information and vendor tables. There are always great activities for the children. The Fair is an important fundraiser for all of Cedar Park Neighbors community improvement efforts.
Block Improvement Grants Do you and your neighbors want to add street trees, tree lawns, and flower beds to your block? All it takes is a little planning, and some volunteer energy! CPN will help you do the rest. Cedar Park offers grants up to $500 to improve the physical environment of any block in Cedar Park, with priority given to maintenance and renewal of street trees, tree lawns, and front yards. Blocks match the grant amount through volunteer “sweat equity,” in-kind materials or services, or cash. Block improvement projects bring people together while improving blocks in visible ways. To get started, try talking with a few members of your block, and discuss what you want to do. For more information and applications visit the CPN website.
A CPN Block Improvement Grant funded the planting of this tree on South Farragut St.
Neighbors plant a Cedar tree in the new planting bed in Cedar Park.
Cedar Park Renovation
Safety First
One of our biggest efforts is the large scale renovation of Cedar Park, the triangular park at 50th and Baltimore. This $150,000 plus project brings together businesses, local neighbors, churches, local agencies and city officials to implement a plan that calls for improvements in grading and walkways, increased lighting, new play equipment, landscaping, new benches and much more. Take a walk in the Park and watch as changes unfold!
Our growing team of Crime and Safety volunteers monitor and respond to neighborhood crime and safety concerns through crime prevention education, communication with law enforcement and community safety agencies and town watch efforts.
Greening Activities Cedar Park Neighbors regularly involves volunteers in tree planting and community landscape projects. Hundreds of trees have been planted in Cedar Park in recent years in collaboration with UC Green, CrossBaltimore Tree Tenders, Baltimore Avenue in Bloom and the University City District. Many members have initiated and maintain beautiful and productive community gardens in the City.
Holiday Baskets In cooperation with area churches, residents prepare and distribute holiday food baskets to neighborhood families in need. Funds are raised directly from neighbors.
Community Clean-Up Activities CPN involves community residents and businesses in clean-up activities and promotes seasonal block clean-up days with The Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee and the University City District. Many members regularly monitor and clean empty lots. Page 2
CPN Newsletter
Community Leadership The Board of Directors of Cedar Park Neighbors is composed of neighbors just like you! They represent the great diversity of our community and work with residents, political leaders and city agencies to make this neighborhood a great place to live, work and play. It is a great way to meet other neighbors, find out what’s going on and help build a stronger and better community for all.
Block by Block by Block Every block is different, so we try to be in close contact with what’s happening throughout Cedar Park by being in touch with local block leaders. Our Block Organizing Committee links CPN to a block captain or leader from each block within our boundary through an e-mail network to share information. CPN attends block meetings and works regularly with block leaders to address common concerns and support problem solving and community-building. CPN also hosts a bi-annual Block Leaders Conference. CPN would love to attend your next block meeting. Invite us! We’ll come!
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.
Sponsor Cedar Park Neighbors wishes to extend our gratitude to CITIZENS BANK for their generous support in funding this special issue for distribution to all households in Cedar Park. A $6,000 grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation Neighborhood Partnership Fund has provided fundamental support for the CPN Block Organizing Project that will also fund an intern for block outreach, Block Improvement Grants and our upcoming Block Leaders Conference.
CITIZENS BANK Not your typical bank.
Cedar Park block captains and leaders gather for a Block Leaders Conference.
Special Issue
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CPN Board
Ready to Join Cedar Park Neighbors? Here’s How! Read enough? Join the more than 350 individuals, households, and business members of Cedar Park Neighbors who are an important force for good in the Cedar Park community.
• You will be invited (but never forced!) to join a CPN committee or project which has particular interest to you
With this special Cedar Park Neighbors newsletter we are inviting you and your household or business to join our thriving Community Association! You may already be a member of a religious, cultural, business, political or school association, or local sports club, or even a selfhelp group! But, only Cedar Park Neighbors represents the general local interest we all have by living, working and/or doing business in Cedar Park. What might membership mean for you? • You will receive our bi-monthly newsletters informing of activities, events and projects of CPN and others, which impact our neighborhood. • You will be part of a large network of neighbors speaking for the common good of all residents in Cedar Park.
By joining in CPN activities you will learn more about your community, get to know new neighbors who care about Cedar Park just like you do, and have the chance to really make a difference! You may find an interest in greening, zoning, clean-up, safety, education, housing issues etc. In the future you may even feel inclined to join our leadership team as a committee chairperson or as a board member of CPN! But, let’s not worry about all of that now. We simply want you to join CPN. If you are new to the neighborhood, welcome! Perhaps you were a member who’s membership has lapsed…rejoin now! Fill out the attached coupon and send it to us now. You will notice our membership rates are low. What is most important to us is your interest, concern and involvement in OUR neighborhood association.
President Carol Walker Vice-President Maureen Tate Vice-President Josh Schneider Secretary Dorothy Welch Berlind Treasurer Karen Allen Directors Monica Allison Patty Bulack Andrew Diller Sean Dorn Bruce Hansen Victoria Iannotta Jim Kurtz Sarah Mack Wayne Marquardt Chima Orji Emma Paden Joanne Pham Shirley Randleman Robert Schnoll Richard Warner Rene Warnick
Cedar Park Neighbors Membership Application/Renewal ___ New Member ___ Renewal
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 _____ Block Organizing _____ Neighborhood Clean-up Committee
___ $7 Individual
_____ Cedar Park Fair
___ $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
YES, I want to make Cedar Park a better place. My annual Cedar Park Neighbors membership dues are enclosed.
_____ Neighborhood Safety
Name Address Phone Email ____ I would like a free CPN T-shirt with my renewal of $30 or more. Adult Size: ___M ___L ___XL Page 4
CPN Newsletter