PHS new “Pops Up”, Jane Golden Salivates, Mayor Nutter Hot Under the Collar
A tree grows in Brooklyn, and yesterday a garden pops up in Center City at 1905-1915 Walnut St. Years ago this is where a movie theater was located, but was damaged by a fire. I remember the day it happened as I lived at 19th and Lombard and saw it on my way to work. For years it’s been a sad reminder of that day, and the loss of a great movie house in Center City, even though the building was quite ugly as a modern box.
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| It’s surprising that this lot and the two buildings behind it are abandoned because of a failed attempt to build a high rise on these combined tracts. I remember my friend lived in the apartment building on the right, and all the tenants were forced out so they could make way for the new hi-rise that never got off the ground. Kinda Sad. BUT yesterday new memories were being made, a beautiful garden grows in Center City, and it’s going to benefit many families through the PHS City Harvest program, which grows fresh produce through a network of community gardens and helps feed more than 1,000 families in need each week. . |
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| IMPRESSIVE: Drew Becher became the 36th President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in June 2010. Under his leadership, PHS has initiated the Plant One Million campaign to restore the region’s tree canopy; expanded the City Harvest program, which provides fresh produce to more than 1,000 families in need each week during the growing season; initiated the PHS Pop-Up projects; and introduced exciting new features at the Philadelphia International Flower Show. |
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| Spotted Jane Golden, Executive director of the Mural Arts, |
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| salivating over this blank wall yesterday. |
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| I thought it was a cat, but on closer inspection I see it’s a raccoon. |
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| I was impressed by how many people showed up |
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| and media on such an unbearable hot day, but then again I was there too. It is great they would take over this spot located in the heart of Center City and create a garden that will benefit others on several levels. |
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| The lot has be repurposed. I like that name repurposed, much better than hand me downs or handed off. |
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| Hot under the collar, but not really |
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Garden Hours
Tuesdays through Fridays, from 11 am to 2 pm
Thursday evenings from 5 pm to 7 pm The second Saturday of each month from 9 am to 1 pm
Be Part of the Pop Up
To celebrate the Pop Up Garden and its
theme of bringing everyone to the table, PHS will create a tablecloth like none other—a patchwork of photographs taken by garden visitors. When you visit the garden, take a picture (or two!) and return to this page to upload it. For a one-time $5.00 donation to City Harvest, your image will be featured on the ever-growing tablecloth that will debut on closing day of the garden. Click here to upload your photo. |
Chipotle Mexican Grill is sponsoring the project, focused on PHS City Harvest
Obviously, nothing good happens fast!! Thanks to everyone at PHS (and Chipolte) for making this happen. I'm sure the pop up will be lovely. And, hopefully one day, the Center City Residents Association will chill and not veto something that wants to permanently locate here (they have to wake up and realize people live in the center of the city because they want amenities they can walk to).
The lovely raccoon sculpture was created by Philadelphia artist Darla Jackson and will be auctioned off near the closing of the Pop-Up to benefit PHS.