Growing Community in Jefferson Square Park

By Maureen Brady Weir

It often begins with just a small seed of an idea but once planted, that seed grows roots and eventually sprouts into something much bigger.

That is the case at Jefferson Square Park, where the seeds of community stewardship have started to take hold in a place that has been a part of our local landscape for well over a century. Thanks to the commitment of a small group of neighbors known as the Friends of Jefferson Square Park, it is now progressing towards a new chapter in its long history, firmly establishing itself as a favorite neighborhood gathering spot.

History Right in Your Backyard

Queen Village resident Nicole Michaud is one of those neighbors who sees the beauty in caring for this storied green space. Active with the Friends of Jefferson Square Park for close to six years, she volunteers her time as the go-to person for the park’s beautification programs, meaning she tends to all that grows including trees, shrubs, flowers, and even grass! Originally a native of rural New Hampshire, she grew up with a love for gardening and getting her hands in the dirt. After various moves throughout the country, she eventually put down roots here in Philadelphia where she works as an artist and lives with her husband and daughter. When asked why she became involved with Jefferson Square Park, her answer is simple: it gives her an opportunity to connect with the land.

Located just steps away from Queen Village, Jefferson Square Park is the size of a city block and sits between Washington Ave. and Federal St. and Third and Fourth Streets. Originally constructed in the 19 th century, it has gone through several transformations over the centuries, including a period during the Civil War when it served as a busy soldier encampment. It’s undeniable that the park has been through its share of good and bad days, but there is no doubt that it’s on an upswing thanks to this core group of volunteers.

It Does Take a Village

Contrary to common belief, the city is not responsible for taking care of the park. While some basic services like emptying park trash cans and responding to 311 requests are city-sourced, all other maintenance depends on the helping hands of neighbors. In addition to Nicole, those neighbors include Bill Arrowood, Katherine Kelton, Devyn Caldwell, Jeb Bush, Jenni Himler, and Loren Thomas. Together, these neighbors roll up their sleeves to perform the essential tasks of cleaning, planting, light pruning, replacing supplies at dog waste stations, and even changing light bulbs. The to-do list is long and, as Nicole notes emphatically, there is always room for more volunteers.

Thanks to a recent grant from QVNA, the Friends group was able to hire an arborist to give much needed attention to a few of the park’s towering trees. But for all other tasks, the help of volunteers is crucial. In addition to the city’s bi-annual Love Your Park events, neighbors are welcome to join monthly clean up days on the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 pm., March through December. Questions about pitching in with the Friends’ initiatives? You can usually find Nicole in the park on Tuesday mornings between 8am and 10am during the spring and fall (all weather permitting).

But if soil, plants, and trees are not your thing, another mission for the volunteers is providing community programming. Since the park serves as a bridge between Pennsport and Queen Village, it’s an ideal location for bringing neighbors together. During the holidays, the Friends of Jefferson Square hosts an annual lighting celebration as well as a tree recycling event. During the warmer months, you’ll find Bocci league games, yoga classes, and folks simply enjoying a little urban nature. Expanding the park’s event offerings to include kids’ activities and live music is high on the wish list and a great volunteer opportunity for anyone interested in helping the Friends group bring these additional programs to life.

Be the Change You Want to See

For more information on Jefferson Square Park and volunteer opportunities, visit https://jeffersonsquarepark.org/. You can also submit donations to assist with various costs such as compost, lighting, grass seed, dog waste bags, leaf bags, trash bags, equipment, fencing and event costs. The group is also working towards purchasing a message board and additional benches. It’s a great way to support the work these volunteers do to keep the park a destination for us all.

As our local community continues to look towards the future, Nicole’s reference to connecting to the land is as important as ever. Caring for the land provides an opportunity to connect with one another. By connecting with one another, the seeds of our community can only grow stronger. And a good place to start is right around the corner at Jefferson Square Park. ■