Groundswell to Unveil Schematic Design for Ridge Avenue Pocket Park
Images courtesy of the Roxborough Development Corporation
Mark your calendars, Roxborough denizens: Groundswell Design Group has set a date for the unveiling of the Ridge Avenue Pocket Park schematic design!
As previously reported, Groundswell was tapped to come up with a design concept for the proposed pocket park at 6170-72 Ridge Avenue, currently a vacant lot. The design is just about done and a recent press release from the Roxborough Development Corporation announced it will be unveiled to neighbors Wednesday, August 5th.
According to the release, the meeting will be held at 6:00pm inside the formerly vacant Allison Building, an adjacent structure that was rehabbed and now has two tenants. It’s worth noting the soon-to-be-made-public preliminary schematic design was shaped by neighbor feedback through a survey taken at the first community meeting and an online questionnaire.
Survey results showed the majority of local patrons were most keen on the idea of the pocket park becoming a place of relaxation, while a playground was the least favored. Top programming suggestions included a farmer’s market, concerts, and beer and wine tastings. Finally, when asked to select park facilities, popular picks include walking paths, table, chairs, and even water features.
The project, which is receiving funding assistance from Exelon Corp and PECO through grant programs, is viewed as a key component to Roxborough’s commercial corridor revitalization. “[It] has the potential for exciting programming throughout the year,”RDC Executive Director James Harry Calamia was quoted as saying. “We had valuable input on the design and use of the space with all possibilities providing an intimacy in the heart of the commercial corridor that has not previously existed.”
