Farm tool library, brush fires delay trains, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

Farm tools and resources soon open to the public. A new Agriculture Resource Center is set to open in Fairmount Park this summer. The center will provide free tools and resources to its members, who must be working on a public food justice project. Ash Richards, the city’s urban agriculture director, said that they hope that the new center will help alleviate economic and knowledge barriers for gardeners in the city. WHYY

Fires delay Amtrak and regional rail, causing air quality concerns. Two brush fires broke out near train tracks in North Philly last Wednesday, resulting in delayed Amtrak and regional rail operations. The fire department suspects that sparks from a train ignited dry brush. Temperatures in Philadelphia were higher than average leading up to the fire, likely impacted by climate change. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health warned residents to avoid the areas while collecting air samples to assess potential health hazards. The warning was lifted on Thursday. CBS Philadelphia

Center City pilots new bicycle protections on 13th Street. Taking inspiration from Mexico City, Center City District installed 18 modular curbs along the bike lane on 13th Street from Locust to Wood streets. The curbs serve as a plastic buffer between cars and bike lane users, which could improve safety on the corridor. Philly Voice 

U.S. Forest Service plans to leave East Coast headquarters. The Forest Service plans to move its headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Salt Lake City, Utah, saying that most of the land it manages is in the West. The agency is also considering closing regional offices, including four in Pennsylvania. Scientists worry that the relocation will deprioritize forestry programs on the East Coast. WHYY

City unveils mural and landscaping project on highways. On Tuesday, the city debuted a large new mural along the Schuylkill Expressway. The “Gateways to Philadelphia” highway beautification project is underway in seven priority sites across the city’s highway entry points in time for America’s 250th birthday celebration. The city’s Office of Clean and Green Initiatives is partnering with Mural Arts and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to create murals and four-season gardens at the sites. 6 ABC

Cover photo: The One Philly, A United City, With Love mural along the Schuylkill Expressway. Credit: Steve Weinik