Festivalgoers admire the Watershed mural at the Roxborough Pocket Park
About The Park
6170 Ridge Avenue | Philadelphia, PA 19128
The Roxborough Pocket Park project evolved from the Roxborough 2020 initiative which engaged over 700 stakeholders on rethinking the direction of Ridge Avenue and the Roxborough neighborhood. Following Roxborough 2020 the Roxborough Development Corporation (RDC) selected Groundswell Design Group to build off of this interest and lead a visioning process which resulted in the Roxborough Pocket Park’s current concept.
Vision For The Site
The vision for the park sought to transform a once vacant unusable asphalt lot in the heart of Ridge Avenue into a sustainable, green flex space that can be used for special events, programming as well as activities for children and adults alike. By depaving the asphalt lot and installing plantings, flower beds, rain gardens and permeable pavers the site will create 5,500 square feet of usable area that manages stormwater headed for the Schuylkill River.
Plans shaped by the community envision a rain garden, food cart and truck vendors at the site, movie projections, yoga classes, farmer's market, historic mural installation, stadium-style seating, an artistic entrance and seating for an adjacent restaurant. View the original conceptual designs for the pocket park developed by Groundswell Design Group.
Impact On Water Quality
Construction at Roxborough Pocket Park has remediated asphalt concrete at the site and installated a green stormwater infrastructure system. The system will include a range of soil-water-plant systems that intercept stormwater, infiltrate a portion of it into the ground, evaporate a portion into the air and release a portion slowly back into the watershed. Stormwater analysis conducted at the site have enabled the Roxborough Development Corporation to implement high standards of planning and design, including the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs). Through the project, this once vacant asphalt lot is now transformed into an on-site drainage area that reduces and purifies pollutant loads to the Schuylkill River Watershed.
Park Status
The Roxborough Pocket Park, a public flex-space in the heart of Roxborough, opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony as part of the Art Is Life spring street festival on Saturday, April 21, 2018. Through the support of state, city, foundation and Roxborough Development Corporation (RDC) funding, the new park transforms a once vacant asphalt lot into a community hub with programming for children and adults alike.
Local news coverage:
First Designs of The Park from Philadelphia Magazine
HIGH HOPES FOR ROXBOROUGH'S COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR from Newsworks
Roxborough Park Receives $200K Grant from Roxborough Review
ROXBOROUGH MURAL DESIGN UNVEILED from Roxborough Review
POCKET PARK POISED FOR SPRING OPENING from Roxboroughpa.com
Our Partners
The Roxborough Pocket Park project would not be possible without the support of the following organizations:
BENEFICIAL FOUNDATION
Community Design Collaborative
PA Department of Community and Economic Development
City of Philadelphia
PECO
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Roxborough Development Corporation
Schuylkill River Greenway Association
The Schuylkill Project
Using The Park
Interested in using the park for a special event or gathering, contact us at info@roxboroughpa.com for more information.