TTF and consultants Natural Lands and Toole Recreation Planning welcomed an engaged and enthusiastic group to our second virtual public meeting to reveal the first draft of the Tacony Creek Park Master Plan, one evening last month. Thank you to those who took the time to join us and provide feedback on the proposed improvements. A special thank you to our TCP Master Plan Advisory Committee, TCP Keepers, neighbors, elected officials representatives, and funders who attended.
If you weren’t able to attend the meeting you can watch it here.
After a welcome from TTF Executive Director Julie Slavet, Ann Toole provided an overview of the current survey results. We are closing in on 300 completed surveys. Responses have focused on the need to improve park safety and maintenance. In fact, spending dollars on maintenance was highly ranked by respondents. If you haven’t completed the survey, you still can! It can be accessed in English and Spanish on the TCP Keepers website.
Nick Upmeyer, Landscape Planning Designer from Natural Lands, presented the first draft of the Master Plan. The Master Plan is broken into four sectors (A, B, C, and D) starting at the beginning of the park in Olney and ending in Juniata Park. There are many proposed basic as well as exciting amenities and improvements to review and consider. Attendees asked a lot of insightful concerns, questions, and ideas.
What’s next? The team will continue outreach to residents, organizations, and stakeholders with the goal of presenting the final plan in the fall. Making the plan a reality will be the next step, focused on gaining support from a variety of funders.
Master Plan pilot projects are underway — to connect with even more park friends! Working with Olney Culture Lab and neighbors, we will be creating and installing People of the Park signs at a few locations in the park. These beautiful signs will share stories from your neighbors about how and why they connect with this natural asset. We are working with Karen Lefkovitz Educational Consulting to create a series of hands-on nature kits for families to use to explore the park’s treasures and strengthen skills.
Your input is critical. Any ideas? Want to host a meeting of neighbors to share concerns? Call Malcolm at 215-744-1853 or email him at Malcolm@ttfwatershed.org