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The Schuylkill River Park Community Garden (SRPCG), located at about 25th and Spruce, contains around 70 plots that range in size from 10’ x 10’ to 10’ x 20’. The land is owned by the City of Philadelphia / Fairmount Park Commission and leased to the Center City Residents' Association (CCRA), which manages the garden through a steering committee comprised of current gardeners. In addition to tending their plots, gardeners are responsible for attending two work days per season and assisting with a public maintenance task. SRPCG, started in 1982, stands on land that was initially very unpromising for a park and garden: the Kelly brickyard and old B&O Railroad Sidings. Originally, the B&O railroad station, underneath the Walnut Street Bridge, provided passenger service from Philadelphia to NYC. In 1982, pioneer gardeners staked out their plots, dug out rocks and construction debris, added large amounts of compost and top soil, and filled 55 gallon drums with water from the fire hydrant across 25th Street. In 1988, thanks to the vision and hard work of many CCRA members, the support of Park Commissioner Ernesta Ballard, the advocacy of landscape architect John Collins, and funds from the City of Philadelphia / Fairmount Park Commission, a larger area was developed into the beautiful SRPCG as part of the recently completed Schuylkill River Park. In January 2007, the garden officially became part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Gardens. We were nominated by the Weeders' Chapter of the Garden Club of America for inclusion and at that time more than 300 other gardens were being considered out of which only approximately 30 were chosen. In Spring 2009, the Garden joined PHS' City Harvest Program, which ultimately produces food that is donated to local food cupboards. The process starts in Philadelphia Prisons, where inmates grow seeds into seedling plants. These plants are distributed to area community gardens who grow them into produce. The produce is donated by gardeners to local food cupboards, who in turn distribute the food to those in need.
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(This listing was last updated on Feb 19, 2010)
Contact Information
Derek Freres
[email us]
Location
25th and Manning Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103
www.srpcg.org
Mailing Address:
PO Box 15771
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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Garden Info:
Garden Type: Neighborhood Garden
Setting: Urban
Host Org: Center City Residents' Association / Fairmount Park
Handicap Accessible: no
Size: 0
Number of Plots: 70
Avg Plot Size: 0
Year Founded:1988
Languages:
English
Structures:
tool shed, cistern, cold frame, compost bins, picnic tables, pergola, benches
Amenities:
running water
Association Memberships:
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