Friendly Persuasion

The Friends of Shot Tower welcome a new generation of neighbors and volunteers.

By Austin Bening

Queen Village’s Shot Tower stands as South Philly’s buckshot Space Needle, reaching just high enough to peak over the highway. One often notices it on the way to Target or on a clandestine off-leash dog walk to Old Swedes’—or one may even be reminded of its presence between sips of perfectly foamed lattes at Shot Tower Coffee. But to its neighbors, it is a beacon for baseball lovers and splashpark plodders. It’s home to a community garden, jungle gyms, movie nights, cookouts, and, yes, even Santa. Shot Tower Rec Center, which sits just below its namesake, provides a bounty to all those who pass through its wrought-iron gates.

Kate Powell, president of the Friends of Shot Tower, welcomed me one chilly morning in the rec center’s playground. Kate, her husband, and son moved to Queen Village from New York in 2019. She recalled memories of walking down 4th and South with mom and visiting her cousin, who grew up a stone's throw from the rec center. Together, they'd check the threads along Fabric Row, which Kate attributes as key inspiration for her career in fashion. She’s eager for her son to find similar moments—and to find new ones herself.

“Friends of Shot Tower has been in existence for many years, and our group of young parents were recently handed the baton by the previous generation of parents whose kids are now grown,” says Kate. She admits she’s still getting the hang of the many permits and the local government parlance that comes with being a partner with the Philadelphia Park Friends Network.

Meeting former New Yorkers is by no means novel. I’m one myself, but a later transplant of the COVID-era. I typically avoid revealing my NYC tag to stave off the muted ire of those whose rents are now higher. But I can tell this is a safe space. Kate and I talk about the novelty of stairs in the apartment, look back in horror at what we paid in rent, but mostly marvel at the space: space to breathe, space to play, space to be a part of something. There’s room here in this city, and man it’s nice.

For Kate, this feels more like a statement of purpose than blithe Brooklyn chitchat. As we sit by the splash ground, she talked about how she hopes to welcome more people to the Friends Group and its events. So far, the group has broadened its reach with last summer’s movie night that attracted those from beyond the immediate blocks. She describes the fanfare around this past December’s Santa, who commanded a significant audience of Queen Village children looking to make sure their gift requests were communicated explicitly. And now she’s looking for more people to get involved and bring more ideas to the table.

“We are striving to build community through free events that bring our neighborhood together. We focus mainly on kidfriendly activities but want all our neighbors to feel welcome to come together for fun, food, and connection,” says Kate.

In a city where green space is in high demand, this feels like a special invitation. For a fellow newcomer, it’s music to my ears.

Many people leave Philadelphia for more space: a backyard, a front yard, a mud room, a deck. It’s all rather singular. The magic of living in a city is generosity, a willingness to share what you have for the promise of new friends and new experiences. Kate caught a piece of that growing up and wants the same for her son: for him to be able to walk out the door and know everyone he sees. She’s hoping to bring that vision to The Friends of Shot Tower and would love to hear from you if you’d like the same.

And while they are continually learning how Friends Groups work within city government and learning the ins and outs of the neighborhood, they bring a vision we can all get behind—one that brings our neighbors closer and asks the community how it wants to be better. ■

For more information on what is happening at Shot Tower Rec and how to get involved, connect with them in Instagram @Friends_of_Shot_Tower or email at friendsofshottower@gmail.com