Volunteers from Feliz Filadelfia and Tookany-Tacony Frankford Partnership joined forces on November 23 to remove invasive vines, dead trees and branches at the Hammond Avenue Fields reclaiming several hundred square feet of land overrun by weeds and wild undergrowth. The two organizations had teamed up earlier this summer on a similar effort to help beautify the park.
In another important development TTFW was also awarded a $1.37 million grant from the William Penn Foundation in November to help restore Tacony Creek Park. The grant money is to be used over three years. TTFW announced the grant on November 20.
TTFW director Justin DiBerardinis said the William Penn funds would be used to hire staff to both manage and patrol Tacony Creek Park. Local residents have been discouraged from using the park for decades because of the poor condition of the park. The additional staffing will help to make the park safer and more attractive which should draw more local residents into the park, DiBerardinis said.
Feliz Filadelfia has restored the Hammond Avenue fields section of the park in recent year through its recreational programs. With the grant money, it is hoped that larger sections of the park will be brought back into use. Feliz Filadelfia hopes to assist TTFW in its plans to restore Tacony Creek Park.