Wanted: West Phila. Students for Watershed Stewardship Training
March 5, 2018
|
Brian Rademaekers
In a recent talk hosted by the TTF Watershed Partnership, acclaimed author Richard Louv urged Philadelphia parents to make sure their kids are getting enough “Vitamin N”—as in nature.
Thanks to the new Philadelphia Watershed Stewardship program, West Philadelphia youth can get a healthy dose of nature along with valuable life and career skills. There’s even a stipend to sweeten the pot.
Read More →
Stormwater Salvation: Could Your Faith-Based Group Get Help to Go Green + Save?
December 19, 2017
|
Brian Rademaekers
Bethesda Presbyterian Church sits on a large plot of land in Northeast Philadelphia’s Bustleton neighborhood. The church’s monthly stormwater fees—higher than they would like—reflected the property’s large proportion of impervious surfaces, which put a considerable burden on the local sewers during storms.
Read More →
1,000 Greened Acres (So Far): It Took a City
October 30, 2017
|
Brian Rademaekers
As we’ve seen over the last six years, to really transform Philadelphia’s landscape on a scale that’s big enough to have a real impact on our rivers, it takes more than just Water Department crews and contractors building rain gardens. In fact, it takes a whole city working together, not to mention supportive partners…
Read More →
CHOP Gets Recognition for Leading with River-Protecting Green Design
July 25, 2017
|
Brian Rademaekers
When leadership at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia decided to create a brand-new, centralized facility for pediatric care, their primary concern was easing the stress young patients and their families often face while undergoing treatment. Today, that vision is recognized at the 12-story Buerger Center, a colorful University City building that opened in 2015…
Read More →
So Many Ways to Keep Cool in Philadelphia: Opening Hydrants? Not One of Them
July 13, 2017
|
Brian Rademaekers
In Philadelphia, we’re lucky to have more pools and spray grounds per resident than any other city in the U.S. Because we have all those great, free places to cool off, there’s no reason to open fire hydrants when the weather gets hot or risk swimming in our unpredictable rivers, where drowning is always a risk. Opening hydrants can cause a number of dangerous situations…
Read More →
New Roxborough Mural Explores Local Watersheds, Lore, and Mysterious History
|
Brian Rademaekers
The site of Roxborough’s Pocket Park project, nestled between two buildings along Ridge Avenue, now features the beginnings of a water- and history-themed mural—a bright new addition to a still-developing space that the community hopes will be a keystone attraction for residents and visitors…
Read More →
With help from Residents, Point Breeze Vacant Lot Is Becoming a River-Protecting Green Space
June 22, 2017
|
Brian Rademaekers
Members of the Philadelphia Water Department’s Public Engagement team joined the local non-profit Diversified Community Services and area block captains on June 10 to clean the publicly-owned lot at Point Breeze Avenue and Mifflin Street—the future home of a rain garden that will soak up stormwater and bring regular maintenance to the site through Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters program.
Read More →
Love Your Park: Celebrate the Green Spaces Protecting Your Water
May 12, 2017
|
Brian Rademaekers
From the very beginning, the Fairmount Park system has been an important tool for protecting Philadelphia’s rivers and streams, and to read the history of our park system is to read a story of city planners striving to create natural buffers to protect rivers and streams from industry and development..
Read More →
West Philly Students: Work with PWD and Become One of Philly’s First Watershed Stewards This Summer
May 2, 2017
|
Brian Rademaekers
Having passion for a cause doesn’t always pay off. But this summer, it can. If you have a love of the outdoors and an interest in becoming involved in your community, you can be one of the Philadelphia Water Department’s first Watershed Stewards…
Read More →
Philadelphia Water Department’s Kelly Drive Water Stations Set to Return
April 12, 2017
|
Brian Rademaekers
With the return of warmer weather, we’re preparing to restore service at our four Schuylkill River Trail/Kelly Drive water stations and plan to have them online by the end of April. The stations made their debut in spring 2016 and were winterized and closed in late November 2016 to protect the internal…
Read More →
