Philadelphia Green Fact Sheet

ORIGINS: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s urban greening program, Philadelphia Green, is the largest and most comprehensive urban greening program in the nation. Started in 1974, Philadelphia Green works with community groups and residents in neighborhoods throughout the City to plan and implement greening projects.  The program also partners with private and public organizations to landscape and maintain public spaces in the City’s downtown area and at its gateways. Proceeds from the Society’s Philadelphia Flower Show, along with funding from foundations, corporations, and government agencies, help to support its projects.

• Community Greening: Works with neighborhood-based organizations on open space planning and redevelopment of vacant land; revitalizing neighborhood parks; facilitating development of flower, vegetable, and sitting gardens on vacant lots; and planting blocks with street trees, window boxes and flowering barrels.
• Outreach: Provides training, technical assistance and information on urban horticulture and community leadership to adults and youth in low- and moderate-income communities. Programs include Garden Tenders and Tree Tenders.
• Parks Revitalization: Working in partnership with the Department of Recreation and volunteer groups, PHS is reclaiming urban parks as hubs of community activity and neighborhood pride.
• Public Landscapes: Pursues vital connections between greening as a natural amenity and an economic development strategy.  Through partnerships with private and public organizations, many Center City and neighboring community landscapes have been rehabilitated.  Projects include: The Azalea Garden, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia International Airport, JFK Blvd., and Avenue of the Arts.
• Special Events: City Gardens Contest recognizes Philadelphia gardeners for skillful and imaginative gardening in a number of different competition categories. The Suburban Greening Award recognizes individuals, garden clubs, businesses, and community groups who have created and maintained dynamic green spaces that enhance their communities.
• Vacant Lands: Philadelphia Green’s significant accomplishments in the fight against urban blight have led to a partnership with the City of Philadelphia.  Philadelphia Green’s Green City Strategy works to beautify the city’s landscapes and open spaces to attract new residents and investment. To date, more than 6 million square feet have been cleared and stabilized. 

For additional information, please call 215-988-8800 or go to www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org.

FOR PRESS INFORMATION, CONTACT:

ALAN JAFFE, email or call 215-988-8833
LAURA BEITMAN, email or call 215-988-8836