Wissahickon Park Gets $50,000 More from Councilman

More than four years ago, Neighbors Park/Woodland Lot received $200,000 in grant funding for renovation. For various city bureaucratic reasons, work has been delayed until this month. That means prices have gone up and some original plans were thought to be scrapped.

That is until Roxborough's city councilman stepped up and got more project money.

Staff for announced earlier this week that $50,000 in additional Parks Department grant funding will be allocated to the park at Terrace and Hermit Streets.

"This will ensure that the park will get updated to the point we originally wanted and safety concerns will be taken care of," said Joshua Cohen, special assistant to Jones.

In earlier articles, Patch reported the update includes greening the park by better using rainwater, resurfacing the park's basketball court, adding safer play equipment for older children, painting more play surfaces, and other changes. 

Additionally, the Wissahickon Neighbors Civic Association also received $1,000 in an activities grant.

Andrew Bantly, civic president, said work could begin this week. Due to the weather, construction plans have changed the order. Bantly said the playground should receive the update first and the basketball court in the spring—instead of the other way around.

"I want to publicly thank Councilman Jones. We have some loose ends we still need to tie up but this will go a long way," he said.