NORTH PARK REDESIGN
The North Park Redesign moves ahead on Tuesday, February 6, when Friends of Clark Park will hold a forum looking at the
furnishings, materials and arrangements of the green spaces and plazas. In addition, there will be a public update of the design process to date.
The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. in Griffith Hall on the USP campus, 43rd St. & Kingsessing Mall. The general public is strongly encouraged to attend, so bring your family, friends and neighbors!
Do you have specific ideas on how the new Central Plaza, for instance -- or the Dickens Circle or the Farmers' Market -- should look? You are encouraged to submit digital photos of examples of choices in plaza design and green space design to me so they can be presented for discussion at the meeting.
Contributed by Matt Grubel, FOCP Planning Committee chair
mathewg@erols.com
furnishings, materials and arrangements of the green spaces and plazas. In addition, there will be a public update of the design process to date.
The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. in Griffith Hall on the USP campus, 43rd St. & Kingsessing Mall. The general public is strongly encouraged to attend, so bring your family, friends and neighbors!
Do you have specific ideas on how the new Central Plaza, for instance -- or the Dickens Circle or the Farmers' Market -- should look? You are encouraged to submit digital photos of examples of choices in plaza design and green space design to me so they can be presented for discussion at the meeting.
Contributed by Matt Grubel, FOCP Planning Committee chair
mathewg@erols.com
CELEBRATE DICKENS' BIRTHDAY FEBRUARY 4
Come to Charles Dickens' Birthday Party, Sunday February 4. -- 2 p.m. at USP's Griffith Hall, 43rd & Kingsessing Mall. Join the Friends of Clark Park in this annual tribute to the works of Charles Dickens with dramatic readings, music of the period, birthday refreshments and a lot of fun. The program will focus on A Tale of Two Cities this year.
After it's over, we'll walk to the Dickens statue to offer "happy birthday" wishes to the park's oldest resident.
The program isn't long. So take note, you football fans (and those who love them): there will be plenty of time to enjoy this event before the Super Bowl begins. For questions, call (215) 222-2255.
Contributed by Fran Byers, FOCP Special Programs Chair
After it's over, we'll walk to the Dickens statue to offer "happy birthday" wishes to the park's oldest resident.
The program isn't long. So take note, you football fans (and those who love them): there will be plenty of time to enjoy this event before the Super Bowl begins. For questions, call (215) 222-2255.
Contributed by Fran Byers, FOCP Special Programs Chair
MEMORIAL TREE PROGRAM
THE FOCP Tree Committee is reviving the long-dormant Memorial Tree program. In return for a $500 donation to the Tree Endowment Fund for Long-Term Tree Care, anyone may chose from among the many newly planted shade trees to honor someone who has passed. The tree will receive attractive metal protection, and the donor will receive a certificate documenting the tree's dedication in honor of the person you chose to honor.
The Tree Committee has bad penmanship, so we are looking for a calligrapher who would be willing to donated her/his skills to this project. We have recently received a generous donation in honor of a local resident who recently passed, and we need someone with fancy writing skills.
If you have any leads for us, please pass this on. We -- and the trees -- will be very grateful.
Contributed by Lew Mellman, FOCP Tree Committee
lewismellman66@msn.com
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The Tree Committee has bad penmanship, so we are looking for a calligrapher who would be willing to donated her/his skills to this project. We have recently received a generous donation in honor of a local resident who recently passed, and we need someone with fancy writing skills.
If you have any leads for us, please pass this on. We -- and the trees -- will be very grateful.
Contributed by Lew Mellman, FOCP Tree Committee
lewismellman66@msn.com
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STUDYING THE PARK'S CONDITION
A cool, damp day in January is actually a good day to study the park's true condition, when it is not masked by balmy sunshine and cheerful greenery. If you have a few free moments today, Friends of Clark Park can bone up on Wednesday's important General Membership Meeting by taking a few minutes to walk through the "A" (North) Park, between Baltimore and Chester Aves. -- and look around.
Notice the condition of the sidewalks. How many sections are broken? Could a senior on a walker, or a wheelchair-bound CP child from the HMS School next door, safely navigate these paths?
And how much of this pavement is needed, for that matter. Do you see strips that could be eliminated or combined, to be replaced with green space?
Fresh rains show problems with drainage. How many do you spot? The mud they generate also shows to what extent bare dirt now dominates the North Park. How much groundcover is actually healthy greensward?
When it grows dark, look upward and see how many lamps are not working.
This is the condition the 2001 Renewal Plan seeks to address. You are looking at the consequences of decay in a physical plant that hasn't been fundamentally rehabilitated for 50-100 years. Proper rehabilitation is going to be a large task.
Contributed by Tony West
FOCP ex officio
_
Notice the condition of the sidewalks. How many sections are broken? Could a senior on a walker, or a wheelchair-bound CP child from the HMS School next door, safely navigate these paths?
And how much of this pavement is needed, for that matter. Do you see strips that could be eliminated or combined, to be replaced with green space?
Fresh rains show problems with drainage. How many do you spot? The mud they generate also shows to what extent bare dirt now dominates the North Park. How much groundcover is actually healthy greensward?
When it grows dark, look upward and see how many lamps are not working.
This is the condition the 2001 Renewal Plan seeks to address. You are looking at the consequences of decay in a physical plant that hasn't been fundamentally rehabilitated for 50-100 years. Proper rehabilitation is going to be a large task.
Contributed by Tony West
FOCP ex officio
_
WINTER MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Many people are anxious to learn more about the proposed "A" (North) Park redesign, which is being negotiated with landscape architect Simone Collins at this time. It will have quite an impact on the park! The FOCP Planning Committee has been busy trying to bring this major project into line with community concerns.
Learn about this at the FOCP General Membership Meeting this coming Wednesday at Grifith Hall Rm "C", 43rd & Kingsessing Mall on the USP Campus. We'll offer a reception at 7:00 p.m.; the meeting will start at 7:30 p.m.
A public safety report will deal with recent thefts at the Farmers' Market.
Plans for this spring's Party for the Park will be reviewed. This is the benefit that pays for the expanded maintenance program that keeps the park neat and healthy during the peak season. Plenty of volunteer support will be needed.
All persons are welcome to an FOCP general meeting.
Contributed by Tony West
Learn about this at the FOCP General Membership Meeting this coming Wednesday at Grifith Hall Rm "C", 43rd & Kingsessing Mall on the USP Campus. We'll offer a reception at 7:00 p.m.; the meeting will start at 7:30 p.m.
A public safety report will deal with recent thefts at the Farmers' Market.
Plans for this spring's Party for the Park will be reviewed. This is the benefit that pays for the expanded maintenance program that keeps the park neat and healthy during the peak season. Plenty of volunteer support will be needed.
All persons are welcome to an FOCP general meeting.
Contributed by Tony West
CLARK PARK GARDEN TENDERS TRAINING
Hi everyone,
I realize this is short notice, but I would love to invite you to join me in attending the Garden Tenders Training through the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. It's a great way to bone up on the garden skills and to get involved with the Clark Park Gardening Committee!
The dates are: January 10, 17, 24, 31, and February 7 (Snowdate: February 14).
This 15-hour (5 sessions) "basic training" course (offered twice a year) that contains a mix of practical information: obtaining permission to use sites; identifying community assets and resources; and developing community networks. At least three members from each group are encouraged to attend the "basic training" course. Registration for the Garden Tenders training course is limited to Philadelphia residents.
Pre-registration for basic training is required.
www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/phlgreen/gardentenders.html
Please let me know if you're interested in joining me.
Contributed by Erin Engelstad, FOCP Gardening chair
engelser@mail.med.upenn.edu
I realize this is short notice, but I would love to invite you to join me in attending the Garden Tenders Training through the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. It's a great way to bone up on the garden skills and to get involved with the Clark Park Gardening Committee!
The dates are: January 10, 17, 24, 31, and February 7 (Snowdate: February 14).
This 15-hour (5 sessions) "basic training" course (offered twice a year) that contains a mix of practical information: obtaining permission to use sites; identifying community assets and resources; and developing community networks. At least three members from each group are encouraged to attend the "basic training" course. Registration for the Garden Tenders training course is limited to Philadelphia residents.
Pre-registration for basic training is required.
www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/phlgreen/gardentenders.html
Please let me know if you're interested in joining me.
Contributed by Erin Engelstad, FOCP Gardening chair
engelser@mail.med.upenn.edu
UPDATING NORTH PARK REDESIGN
Updating North Park's redesign is on the agenda for the membership meeting, January 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Room C, Griffith Hall, preceded by a reception at 7:00 p.m. The trees in the park are a big issue. The original proposal identifies a number of these for removal and/or replacement based on a number of factors, including projected lifetimes and the hazards associated with dead or dying trees, aesthetics, and drainage. There was a study done subsequently by an arborist from the Morris Aboretum which identified specifically which trees were at or close to the end of their lifetimes and should be considered for removal for that reason. You can read the original report from the Morris expert at:
http://www.clarkpark.info/PDFs.MorrisArboretumStudy.pdf
The two documents - the original plan and the Morris report - provide a rational basis for discussing subjective and objective criteria for work to be done in keeping the park as the resource so many people in the community enjoy.
You are welcome to discuss it at the FOCP meeting and here on the Bulletin Board. For the latter, just send me an e-mail at mariadas@earthlink.net
Marianne Das
http://www.clarkpark.info/PDFs.MorrisArboretumStudy.pdf
The two documents - the original plan and the Morris report - provide a rational basis for discussing subjective and objective criteria for work to be done in keeping the park as the resource so many people in the community enjoy.
You are welcome to discuss it at the FOCP meeting and here on the Bulletin Board. For the latter, just send me an e-mail at mariadas@earthlink.net
Marianne Das
WAFFLE BRUNCHES: WE NEED EATERS AND A CHEF
Calling all sociable, food-loving Friends of Clark Park (or sympathizers)!
Abbraccio restaurant gives a portion of its brunch proceeds to Friends of Clark Park on the second Sunday of the month. The money goes to build the Tree Endowment. Our end of the deal: someone must volunteer as a waffle chef. Just show up 15 minutes before brunch starts. It's easy and fun, and you get a free brunch.
Is anyone able to do December 10? If you are signed up for the second Sunday in November, I can trade with you. Contact me at awdixon@juno.com
Contributed by Ann Dixon, FOCP
Abbraccio restaurant gives a portion of its brunch proceeds to Friends of Clark Park on the second Sunday of the month. The money goes to build the Tree Endowment. Our end of the deal: someone must volunteer as a waffle chef. Just show up 15 minutes before brunch starts. It's easy and fun, and you get a free brunch.
Is anyone able to do December 10? If you are signed up for the second Sunday in November, I can trade with you. Contact me at awdixon@juno.com
Contributed by Ann Dixon, FOCP
BAT HOUSES
With some help from UCD and FOCP's Maintenance Committee, I want to construct some bat houses for Clark Park. The bat houses I am going to construct will be 51" x 24" and around 3/4" deep. They will look like a very thin rectangular prism. There will be one opening at the bottom, where bats can enter and hang upside down in the bat house.
The advantages of having bat houses in the area are: the conservation of bats in our area, the establishment of suitable living conditions for bats (if there are bat houses in the area, the bats won't live in your house), bats are just cool, and the most important one, bats eat insects! They eat an amazing amount of pests like flies and mosquitoes. Having an inhabited bat house near you is an environmentally friendly and natural way to get rid of them.
Bats have been portrayed negatively in the media, so many people have misconceptions about bats. Very few bats have rabies. Bats do not attack people. Bats are shy. They will usually stay in the bat house until night, and when they go out it will be to eat.
I am doing this project for my Eagle Project in Boy Scouts. To get my Eagle Scout rank I have to do many things, one of which is to do an Eagle Project. It has to be a project that you carry out and that benefits the community. I am constructing 10 bat houses and having them installed throughout University City. I want to have them all installed before September.
Contributed by Kaz Uyehara
The advantages of having bat houses in the area are: the conservation of bats in our area, the establishment of suitable living conditions for bats (if there are bat houses in the area, the bats won't live in your house), bats are just cool, and the most important one, bats eat insects! They eat an amazing amount of pests like flies and mosquitoes. Having an inhabited bat house near you is an environmentally friendly and natural way to get rid of them.
Bats have been portrayed negatively in the media, so many people have misconceptions about bats. Very few bats have rabies. Bats do not attack people. Bats are shy. They will usually stay in the bat house until night, and when they go out it will be to eat.
I am doing this project for my Eagle Project in Boy Scouts. To get my Eagle Scout rank I have to do many things, one of which is to do an Eagle Project. It has to be a project that you carry out and that benefits the community. I am constructing 10 bat houses and having them installed throughout University City. I want to have them all installed before September.
Contributed by Kaz Uyehara
WE NEED PEOPLE TO HELP TAKE CARE OF THE TREES
Friends of Clark Park saw 16 young trees planted last fall -- a record! But hard experience has taught us that many of those trees will die soon if they don't get proper tending. This spring they'll all need proper staking, watering and mulching.
Officially trained tree tenders can guide other volunteers to accomplish these lifegiving chores. Tree tenders learn how to care for trees on their block or in their backyard as well as in the park. It's a lifelong skill!
We urgently need a few members to step forward and take the Horticultural Society's tree tender training course. Please call me at 215/222-2660 or e-mail me at lewismellman66@msn.com You can make a difference by helping to keep the park alive!
Contributed by Lew Mellman
Officially trained tree tenders can guide other volunteers to accomplish these lifegiving chores. Tree tenders learn how to care for trees on their block or in their backyard as well as in the park. It's a lifelong skill!
We urgently need a few members to step forward and take the Horticultural Society's tree tender training course. Please call me at 215/222-2660 or e-mail me at lewismellman66@msn.com You can make a difference by helping to keep the park alive!
Contributed by Lew Mellman
HOW TO PREVENT BIKE THEFT
The University City Review of July 28, 2004 has an informative article with tips from local experts about how to keep your bike from being stolen. In case you missed it in the print version of of our award-winning community newspaper, read it online by clicking here: www.philly1.com/story2072804.html
Thanks to Jason Mui, author, and the UC Review
Thanks to Jason Mui, author, and the UC Review
LICENSING YOUR DOG
At the last General Membership Meeting some Friends complained about difficulties they had trying to obtain a license for their dogs. The process has now been simplified: the initial application and annual renewals are handled by mail. Click on
for pet licensing . You will see an explanation of the benefits you gain. These include a metal ID with the number of a 24-hr telephone number if your dog has strayed or been lost. After being picked up, licensed animals are held longer (5 days) than the state-required 48 hr.
You can then print out an application form and instructions for filling it out by using Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available for free on the web. (If you haven't used Acrobat Reader, give your computer the print command and take a coffee break -- it takes a long time to print.) The annual license fee is $16, but only $8 if your dog is neutered or you are a senior citizen. Permanent licenses are also available for dogs that have been tattooed or have had microchips implanted. Licenses are free for dogs that are handicapped-assisting or involved in law enforcement.
Be responsible! License your dog.
Contributed by Marianne Das
for pet licensing . You will see an explanation of the benefits you gain. These include a metal ID with the number of a 24-hr telephone number if your dog has strayed or been lost. After being picked up, licensed animals are held longer (5 days) than the state-required 48 hr.
You can then print out an application form and instructions for filling it out by using Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available for free on the web. (If you haven't used Acrobat Reader, give your computer the print command and take a coffee break -- it takes a long time to print.) The annual license fee is $16, but only $8 if your dog is neutered or you are a senior citizen. Permanent licenses are also available for dogs that have been tattooed or have had microchips implanted. Licenses are free for dogs that are handicapped-assisting or involved in law enforcement.
Be responsible! License your dog.
Contributed by Marianne Das
CLARK PARK USERS AS A COMMUNITY
The other night, at the Winter Membership Meeting, it occurred to me that the users of Clark Park form a unique community that crosses boundaries. It doesn't matter where you live, what you do for a living, or what your income is. You use Clark Park and care about it.
Members of our diverse community, people who use the park have individual reasons for doing so. Click here to send us an e-mail message letting us know how you utilize this great local resource, and what you think Friends of Clark Park can do to enhance your enjoyment of it.
Members of our diverse community, people who use the park have individual reasons for doing so. Click here to send us an e-mail message letting us know how you utilize this great local resource, and what you think Friends of Clark Park can do to enhance your enjoyment of it.
