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City Cast Philly

Siani Colón

, yet one particular park stands out as our most iconic. Fairmount Park is the jewel of our park system, with both east and west sides encompassing over 2,000 acres. Before it became home to important landmarks such as the Philadelphia Zoo, Please Touch Museum, and Boathouse Row, Philly’s oldest park was created for a practical purpose.

The park gets its name from “Faire Mount,” a hill overlooking the Schuylkill River where the Philadelphia Museum of Art exists today. The name and a sketch of the hillside are visible on the 

 designed by Surveyor General Thomas Holme. Its natural landscapes fit into William Penn’s vision for a “greene Country Towne” and attracted aristocrats to establish estates in the area.

As the city’s population grew, so did its risk for disease. Following the yellow fever epidemics in the 1790s, which were partially 

blamed on contaminated conditions in Philly’s water supply

, the city made it its duty to provide access to clean water. In 1812, the city purchased Faire Mount to establish the 

, Philadelphia’s sole pumping station. It was considered a marvel for its steam technology and Classical Revival exterior design. Gardens, walkways, and sculptures would later be added around the facility. The site quickly became a tourist attraction.

More needed to be done to protect the Schuylkill River as pollution from upriver mills and other growing industries put residents’ health and safety at risk. The city government continued to acquire more land in proximity to the river, 

starting with the Lemon Hill estate in 1843

, which would expand the city’s territory.

. The mayor at the time, Morton McMichael, advocated expanding the land to create a space that would rival New York’s Central Park. Philadelphia hosted a 

 to repurpose Lemon Hill and Sedgley to protect the city’s water supply.

Over the 19th century, Philadelphia would 

 associated with today’s Fairmount Park. Fairmount Park was 

 to be forever “an open public place and a park for the health and enjoyment of the people of said city, and the preservation of the purity of the city’s water supply.”

 in West Fairmount Park, which established new landmarks associated with the park today. Although many structures from the event no longer exist, 

 are still standing. Memorial Hall currently serves as the home for the Please Touch Museum.

So when you visit Fairmount Park today, remember that it was designed with public health, recreation, and natural beauty in mind.

Starting with just a large hill that left William Penn in awe, Fairmount Park is now the largest landscaped urban park in the world.

How Philly’s Fairmount Park Came To Be

People, places, and scenes from Philadelphia's past.

Philly History

Philadelphia is responsible for maintaining over 

 and highways, helping get commuters to their next destination by foot or vehicle. While many of these roadways are bordered by sidewalks, some streets lack them entirely, leaving pedestrians stranded or 

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s 

 tracks walkability in the Philadelphia area. Residents can plan trips by using its tools, such as 

 of the region’s sidewalks. The commission estimates 

230 miles of Philly streets have no sidewalks

The map uses a key to identify gaps in sidewalk coverage. Red indicates streets missing sidewalks on either side. Yellow indicates streets that are missing sidewalks on one side. Green indicates streets that have sidewalks on both sides.

Compared to surrounding counties, Philadelphia is fairly covered with sidewalks (their conditions, however, are another conversation). Most of Philly’s streets have sidewalks on both sides. 

Neighborhoods at the edges of the city appear to have fewer sidewalks, such as in Southwest, Northwest, and Northeast Philly. Streets lacking sidewalks are either located in industrial areas, adjacent to parkland, have expanded yard space, once had sidewalks that deteriorated over time, or were never designed with sidewalks in mind.

intersection of Bryn Mawr Avenue and Parkside Avenue North

, one side of Parkside has sidewalks while the other side, connected to Fairmount Park, remains grassy. On Bryn Mawr Avenue both sides of the street have sidewalks until one side becomes grass-covered past the bridge.

With facility improvements over the years, some infrastructure changes may not yet be reflected on the map. You can 

 to help keep the sidewalk inventory up to date.

 of City Cast Philly to learn how Philly can improve its sidewalks.

Neighborhood Sidewalks

How are the sidewalks in your neighborhood? 

A tool from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission can help you track gaps in the Philly area’s sidewalk network. 

Philly Sidewalks Are in Poor Condition. Some Streets Don’t Even Have One.

Which Philly Neighborhoods Suffer From a Sidewalk Gap?

What Philadelphians have been wondering. We break down why things in Philadelphia are the way they are and how they work.

Philly, Explained

The sale of a neglected lot, long cared for but not owned by stewards in a neighborhood, can be devastating.

Dominique Johnson, a North Philly resident and member of the newly formed 

, tended a vacant lot next to his family’s home for two decades. He even attempted to purchase it from the 

, which acquires vacant and tax-delinquent properties for redevelopment, without success.

“Every once in a while, I will go in and just kill the weeds, try and cut down some of the trees,” Johnson said. “I had a weed whacker, and I would try and keep it tidy, get rid of the trash.”

Last summer, Johnson said the city removed a gate that had been there, and since then, it has become a regular hangout for smoking and other late-night activities. “Since we don't have a gate, a lot of people walk in and out,” Johnson said. “Sometimes they don't have the best intentions.”

Johnson understood something like this could happen, as neither he nor his neighbor officially owned the land despite being the main caretakers. That’s why, on his mother’s behalf, in 2018 he reached out to the Philadelphia Land Bank to express interest in the property.

“But I didn't get any type of confirmation email,” he said. “So I just waited and waited and never heard back.”

He made another attempt the following year, once again expressing his interest but unaware that these attempts were not formal applications. This time he received an email response saying he’d hear back in 30 days. But he never did.

Then last month Johnson found a flyer on his door informing him that 

“I got frustrated really quick because I've been trying to get this space for some time now. My neighbor was also trying to get the space.” Johnson said. “My main worry is if there's going to be damage done to my home and my neighbor's home [due to development]. That's one of the primary reasons that I was trying to see if I could still acquire it.”

Johnson contacted Ryan Gittler-Muñiz, organizer for the Philadelphia Land Stewards Union. An 

 to request that the Land Bank’s board stop the sale. But at the Land Bank's meeting, it became clear to Johnson that development of the property was long in motion.

The sale could not be prevented, but it wasn’t a total loss for Johnson. “If anything positive came out of the board meeting, it was that a lot of people showed up to support me,” Johnson said. “I really, really appreciate that, and I will somehow return the favor.”

Johnson shared his story at the Philadelphia Land Stewards Union’s first meeting last weekend. Its membership has grown to about 100 members.

“I can be connected to individuals who have either experienced something similar to what I'm going through, who might be going through it now, and that I can really help them in some type of way,” Johnson said.

“I'm hurt, a little upset, definitely frustrated, but I'm still going to fight. I still want to try and do something to keep pushing forward,” Johnson said. “If I can help somebody somehow who's going through what I'm going through, I’ll show up for them when they have to go to their board meeting.”

A representative from the Land Bank did not return requests for comment.

🎧 Gittler-Muñiz spoke with City Cast Philly about why community members are using a union model to have a say in what development happens in their neighborhoods. 

Listen to our full conversation about the Philadelphia Land Stewards Union.

The union is giving residents a collective voice when advocating for their communities and demystifying the Land Bank’s process. 

Land Stewards Union Says It’s All About Empowering Residents

Philly is no stranger to development (or lack thereof). We’ve witnessed 

preserve the character of their neighborhoods

On corridors like Baltimore Avenue, where residents are seeing more commercial vacancies, 

, from bakeries and restaurants to hardware stores and daycare centers.

But to see these visions come to fruition in any neighborhood, there’s a legal process to get approval from the city. So, how exactly does that work, and how can you get involved in the decision-making process?

Zoning is a set of local laws and regulations that determines how land can or cannot be used. The zoning process can ensure that projects are safe, healthy, and compatible with the character and needs of the community.

Each property in Philadelphia is zoned under a specific category.

There are ten main zoning categories for properties in the city:

Vehicle and Vehicular Equipment Sales and Services

It doesn’t end there, though. There are 

 of subcategories within these categories determining how these properties can function. Residential properties may be single-family or multi-family; for commercial properties, an eating or drinking establishment might be designated for prepared food or take-out. Then there’s personal services, like tattoing and fortune-telling (even though 

fortune-telling is still banned in Pennsylvania

 can alter the zoning code. The Council also creates zoning overlays, a hyperlocal set of rules in specific parts of the city, like bans on

Department of Licenses & Inspections (L&I)

 grants permits and licenses and enforces the zoning code.

is made up of mayoral appointees who grant variances and hear appeals on zoning decisions.

 alerts the ZBA, applicants, and community groups about zoning cases.

 are community groups like civic associations and ward committees that hold public meetings where community members can speak about potential projects in their neighborhoods. RCOs  vote on whether or not to support a project. They don’t get the final say, but feedback can help sway a zoning board decision.

Developers with plans for a property need zoning permits to proceed.

 permits are issued by the Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections if a project’s use is consistent with the property’s zoning designation.

If not, the Philadelphia Zoning Board can approve permits 

 if the project is deemed to be compatible with the neighborhood.

 from the board, citing specific reasons why a project should proceed even if it’s not in adherence to the code for the property.

Applications to proceed with a project that conflicts with the permitted use can be rejected for a variety of reasons, including concerns about increased congestion and danger to the health and wellbeing of the neighborhood.

If you want to have a say on a proposed development in your neighborhood, you could:

Attend your local RCO’s zoning meeting. Find your RCO by using the 

. At this meeting, you can vote on whether the RCO should support the project or not, and provide feedback. Note that different RCOs have different voting procedures.

Attend a Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing, with projects 

Don’t go to these meetings alone! Share what you know about a project with your neighbors, and invite them to a hearing.

Sign a petition in favor of or in opposition to a project, and gather support. Neighbors are typically informed of proposed projects nearby, and applications include signatures to demonstrate support.

. These workshops organized by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission equip regular Philadelphians with the tools and resources needed to engage with the planning process and launch projects in their own communities.

For a deeper understanding of Philadelphia’s zoning laws, refer to the 

Getting properties developed in the city requires going through zoning, but what does that involve?

An Introductory Guide to Zoning in Philly

How Does Zoning in Philly Work?

Philadelphia is still trying to process how and why the Sixers reneged on a plan to revitalize Center City with a new arena and instead partner with Comcast to stay in South Philly. While some Philadelphians are relieved, and others are furious, all of us are confused. Here’s a sampling of what we heard on Monday, the day after this news was revealed.

We’d love to hear your thoughts too! Call/ text us at 215-259-8170, email us at 

, and we’ll try to include your comment in the newsletter or podcast.

: “This sham of a process laid bare what Philadelphians have long known: Decisions about the future of neighborhoods are not being made by the people who live there or have their best interest in mind, but by a select few who care only about their own bank accounts, and a City Hall that’s bought and paid for.”

: “This is a great day for Philadelphia and the fans of our storied sports franchises.’’

: “I’m so livid right now I don’t even know what to do. I feel as though I was used as a pawn.”

“This new collaboration will result in real tangible benefits for the people of Philadelphia.”

“We were clear from day one that it was dangerous to play in the viper pit with billionaires, but City Hall toyed with the snakes, and they got bit. 12 of 17 Councilmembers turned their backs on decades of research on the false promise of stadium developments, common sense, their voters, and the 70% of Philadelphians who opposed this arena."

"Philadelphia will now benefit from two developments instead of one. At the sports complex we will work together to build the very best arena in the country -- a home for the Sixers and Flyers that will bring the most exciting concerts and events to the city all year."

They [the Sixers] owe the city an apology. This was such a contentious project and debate. It pitted neighbors against neighbors. It pitted the community against labor unions. And all for nothing at the end of the day.”

Wanda Sykes, comedienne and actress, who is working to get a WNBA team to Philly: 

"I don’t think our odds can be any more favorable [to getting a WNBA team] … And go Birds.”

: “The fact that Mayor Parker & Council Council Pres. Johnson didn’t acknowledge they have egg on their faces and, even more importantly, didn’t acknowledge the pain & turmoil the Chinatown community was put through as a result of this process is mind-boggling.”

"I don't have the luxury as mayor to have my pride, my ego, or my emotions to drive my decision-making. I am driven by that revenue...I'll let other people Monday-morning quarterback about whether we were pawns in the game."

City Council President Kenyatta Johnson: 

"I wish you could've actually gotten the deal done before we went through the process. My members and I don't regret the eight hearings, the thousands of hours going back and forth … I could not be prouder of the 12 [council] members who stepped up to the plate and said this is in the best interest of Philadelphia."

Ryan Briggs, Philadelphia Inquirer reporter

: "The Sixers arena spin session happening now has gotta be one of the strangest city hall pressers I've ever seen."

: “There’s definitely a ‘when elephants fight, ants tremble' element to this drama. We thought we had a policy debate about mass transit usage and how to animate a sleepy mall, but it was a business dispute about corporate dollars and global influence.”

✏️ We know you’ve got opinions on this, Philly! Leave us a voicemail or text at 

. You can also fill out the Google form below, and we’ll try to include your comment in the newsletter or podcast.

Philadelphia is still trying to process how and why the Sixers reneged on their plan to revitalize Center City with a new arena and instead partner with Comcast to keep its home in South Philly. While some are relieved, and others are furious, all of us are confused. Here’s a sampling of what we heard on Monday, the day after this news was revealed.

city planning

How Philly’s Fairmount Park Came To Be

Which Philly Neighborhoods Suffer From a Sidewalk Gap?

Land Stewards Union Says It’s All About Empowering Residents

Latest articles

How Philly’s Fairmount Park Came To Be

Which Philly Neighborhoods Suffer From a Sidewalk Gap?

Land Stewards Union Says It’s All About Empowering Residents

How Does Zoning in Philly Work?

Philly Reacts to the Sixers Arena Switcheroo

Latest articles

How Does Zoning in Philly Work?

Philly Reacts to the Sixers Arena Switcheroo