Jul 21, 2008 6:20 pm US/Eastern
Hawthorne Residents Go Green With $2.1M Park
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
In a press conference last Thursday, Mayor Nutter, along with other dignitaries, announced plans for a $2.1 million park on a vacant lot at 12th and Catharine Streets in the Hawthorne section of South Philadelphia.
Many community members have rallied around the project; some say is long overdue.
"I wish they would hurry up," said long-time resident Granville Roker, "I want to see some dirt turned over!"
A Hawthorne resident for over 60 years, Roker has seen his neighborhood through many changes. Now, he's looking forward to the latest transformation that comes in the form of Hawthorne Park.
Thursdays press conference was the first official announcement for a park that's taken five years to plan.
"We have to end the notion that somehow development is only about downtown or that parks are only in certain neighborhoods," said Mayor Nutter.
Now, thanks to a partnership of the city, state, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Fairmount Park Commission, and private foundations, Hawthorne residents say they're finally getting what they deserve.
"We need this green space and I believe the residents appreciate that we initiated this park," said Albert Hicks, member of the Hawthorne Empowerment Coalition.
Roughly the size of half a city block, the park will include shade trees, pathways and benches as well as a lawn area that could serve as an amphitheater.
"I think it will be a good place to draw the community together," said Hawthorne's Beautification Committee Chairperson Patricia Bullard.
Construction on the park will begin as early as 2009 and is expected to be completed by 2011.
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