A Voice in the Wilderness did you know that eastwick is a 19-minute train ride from Market East? I didn’t until the day before this issue went to print. I was hoping to go there and walk around before I wrote these notes, but alas, the deadline schedule was too tight. Having seen some of the stunning pictures taken by Emily Wren and then looking at Google maps, I just can’t believe that an expanse of green space this size exists within city limits. I’m eager to go and see it for myself. I’ll bet I’m not the only person in Philadelphia who was ignorant of this area, and, after reading more about it, will have their curiosity piqued enough to visit. The urge I feel to explore Eastwick makes me wonder: What’s the best use of this land? Historically, the knee-jerk reaction by some in the sustainability movement is to demonize developers, but I think that’s overly simplistic. There are some pros to Korman Residential’s plan to build apartments. The development will create short-term construction jobs, and promises some long-term jobs as well. The land’s proximity to public transportation makes it a good example of the urban planning ideal of transit-oriented development. Yet, what’s the true value of 128 undeveloped acres in Philadelphia? It’s pretty unusual to have a tract of land that has been more or less ignored for at least 50 years. Its location next to the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge makes it even more intriguing. Is there something more creative, more imaginative that would actually be more valuable to Philadelphia than 51 additional apartment buildings? (I don’t think we have a shortage of housing stock. If we do, I’d love to have the City turn over the abandoned buildings I walk past on my daily commute to Korman or any other responsible developer.) The plan that the Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition are beginning to formulate has a lot of appeal. They’d like to make where they live a destination for hiking, canoeing, fishing and bird watching. They’d also like to see it used for educational purposes. Our city has a wonderfully unique opportunity to have a location for all these activities accessible by public transportation.
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Alex Mulcahy 215.625.9850 ext. 102 alex@gridphilly.com managing editor
Liz Pacheco liz@gridphilly.com art director
Jamie Leary jamie@gridphilly.com designer
Zachary Kutz zachary@gridphilly.com distribution
Jesse Kerns 215.625.9850 ext. 100 jesse@gridphilly.com copy editor
Andrew Bonazelli production artist
Lucas Hardison writers
Whether the development plans go through or not, one thing that must happen is for Eastwick residents to be included in the planning conversation in a meaningful way. Sixty years ago, residents there were the victims of the reckless use of eminent domain and the implementation of racist housing policies. They deserve to have a voice in determining their community’s future. If you would like to get involved or learn more, visit eastwickfriends.wordpress.com
Shaun Brady Bernard Brown Tenaya Darlington Kristen Dowd Jaclyn Hardgrove Marisa McClellan Leah Troiano Char Vandermeer Samantha Wittchen photographers
Gene Smirnov Mike Watson Emily Wren Albert Yee illustrators
Zachary Kutz Melissa McFeeters alex j. mulcahy, Publisher alex@gridphilly.com
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