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Our interviews with community members highlighted many assets of living in the neighborhood surrounding Penn Alexander. Several people referred to a feeling of community that brought a sense of safety and belonging. One interviewee said that the neighborhood’s ritual of “porch sitting” made it easy to get to know neighbors. A young mother cited Clark Park, the Penn Alexander playground, play groups at the Parent Infant Center, and the Free Library at 40th & Walnut as valuable public spaces to visit with her toddler. One young man referred to the neighborhood as “quiet and peaceful.” All of the people interviewed noted the abundance of restaurants and other amenities as assets of the community.
The interviews also revealed changes undergoing the neighborhood. One interviewee had observed an influx of young white renters on her block (50th and Walnut) since her arrival in 2013: “When I moved here in 2013, in the summer, I was the only white person in, like, a two block radius who lived there. And now there’s a lot more white people.” The young man interviewed shared that he was moving out of the neighborhood because his apartment building had just been bought and was going to be converted into a single-family home.
Not all of the people interviewed had heard of Penn Alexander, while others, like the young mother, identified the school as a primary reason for moving to the neighborhood. |
places to visit
clark parkClark Park is a popular place for students and their families. The soccer leagues that compete here and farmer's markets held on Saturday afternoons are some of the attractions for local families. Clark Park is a hub for the entire community.
evan's pizzaLocated a block away from Penn Alexander's campus, Evan's Pizza is a popular after school hang out spot for students where they can relax with family and friends and enjoy a slice of pizza.
CVS PharmacyCVS is a convenient place for students, teachers, and employees to pick up snacks and supplies before and after school. A previous school social worker spoke about stopping in the pharmacy frequently and running into students.
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Parent infant centerThe Parent Infant Center offers preschool and after school instruction during the school year, as well as an enriching summer day camp. Although the services can be costly (after school tuition for the 2014-2015 school year was $448 per week), PIC also hosts bi-weekly playgroups for children under 5 that are only $7 and do not require registration.
The free library of philadelphiaThe library is a valuable neighborhood resource where families can check out books, movies, and other materials. The Walnut Street West branch is a site for LEAP (Literacy Enrichment After School Program), the Free Library’s after school educational initiative that provides free homework help, tutoring, and test prep. In addition to LEAP, the library is host to weekly storytime events for children.
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