Vacant lot greening, A challenge to the school board, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

Teens turn vacant lot into green space. Since the spring, a coalition of community organizations and local teenagers have been turning a vacant lot at 859 E. Willard Street in Kensington into a new garden. The lot was once a site of chronic illegal dumping, but organizers hope the green space will become a cornerstone for connection in the neighborhood. The transformation was made possible through an anti-dumping grant program, Revive and Thrive. 

Playground renovations are complete in Germantown. City officials and community members cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Happy Hollow Recreation Center in Germantown. The Rebuild project included new play areas for children of different ages, new trees, and updated lighting. The renovations are a part of a $500 million project to improve recreation centers, parks, and playgrounds across the city. 

Spend a week without driving. Since Tuesday, Transit Forward Philly has been hosting a series of events to encourage people to spend a week without driving. The organization says it is challenging those who have the option to drive to learn what it is like to be a non-driver and to raise awareness of accessibility and affordability barriers. Events are continuing through October 8.  

Solar panels power up Pennsylvania schools. Pennsylvania schools are taking advantage of a state grant to build solar panel arrays and cut down on electricity costs. Leaders at both Universal Audenried Charter School in Philadelphia’s Grays Ferry neighborhood and Unionville High School in Kennett Square say the installation cost will be paid back in energy savings within a few years. WHYY

State representative candidate challenges school board to endure heat. Bill Griffin, a former Philadelphia school principal, told the school board that overheated schools in the district need funding for adequate cooling. He challenged the board to endure a meeting in one of the hot schools to understand what students go through. Griffin is running for state representative of Pennsylvania’s 173rd district in Philadelphia. 

Cover photo: Teens working with Klean Kensington to clean up vacant lots, courtesy of Klean Kensington