Our group is aimed at correcting the loss of representation that occurred when the Fairmount Park Commission was abolished. Reestablish civic engagement on matters in the park that we see being made exclusively by politicians.
Parks and green spaces are sacred areas for inhabitants of Philadelphia’s concrete jungle. The benefits of green spaces, pervious surfaces, and natural refuges are countless, which is why we must preserve these areas. We are therefore forming a group called the Friends of Fairmount to have an independent voice in the future of the Park and we want you to join.
Many organizations call a certain park or natural space of the City their home and steward this region as if it were indeed their own. Volunteers spend time, money, and resources to make these slices of the park lands protected and pristine. Over the past couple years, we have noticed a pattern with the City not properly maintaining the lands, ignoring these stewards’ efforts, avoiding community engagement, and simply invading these areas. Many groups are currently dealing with these types of issues such as Sedgley Disc Golf Course, Edgely Ultimate Fields, FDR Park, MLK Drive, and more.
City government is determining the development of greenspace in the park without input from the residents, community, and park users. Initiatives are being approved without due process. Stakeholders have no or limited say in these changes. Environmental impacts are insufficiently reviewed. User impacts have been woefully ignored.
The Fairmount Park Commission used to make all decisions about park lands in the City, but since the Commission disbanded, these decisions have now become more political. With no or little counterbalance or alternative say in park matters, the City will continue to use their governmental overreach making decisions on behalf of the community without actually tapping into the community or soliciting proper feedback and engagement.
Our voices aren't being heard individually but cannot be ignored together. Although our groups are unique and distinct we share the same values in loving and protecting the greenspace that Fairmount Park provides. Join today as an individual or part of an organization.
As stewards of this land, we need to band together and protect these spaces. Friends of Fairmount is a diverse group of citizens that use and value the green and open spaces that exist in our region. We are coming together to form a coalition of folks willing to share their stories and connections with their park.
We're getting organized. Take a look through the various initiatives that are experiencing loss of open space without due process. If you'd like to lean an initiative in your corner of Fairmount Park, get in touch by visiting our "Join Us" page.
Ready to do something about it? Submitting a testimonial about Fairmount Park is a great way to start. You can also become a member of this rapidly growing collective.
As a young member of this community, I would like to display how Edgely Ultimate Fields have aided a...
I would frequently birdwatch there because it was a mature forest full of native hardwoods and flowe...
The Fairmount Park Commission was the independent Board of Directors whose mission was @quote;to pre...
Friends of Fairmount was created to combat the loss of green space in Fairmount Park without due process. Our group is aimed at correcting the loss of representation that occurred when the Fairmount Park Commission was abolished. Reestablish civic engagement on matters in the park that we see being made exclusively by politicians.
