Who can participate in the Community Greening Plan process?

All are welcome to participate in community events and share feedback throughout the planning process. While some structured meeting stipends are limited to Francisville residents within the project boundaries, we recognize that many people contribute to neighborhood life in different ways, including business owners, workers, students, visitors, and community partners.

Are these projects already decided?

No. The purpose of this process is to gather community input before plans are developed.

The only thing that has been decided is what is in the scope of this project:

In Scope:

• ✓ Sites: The Francisville Yard, MLK Park, Ogden Park, Ridge Ave commercial corridor (between Broad and Girard)

• ✓ Greening & beautification

• ✓ Public spaces & gathering areas

• ✓ Public art & cultural expression

• ✓ Environmental improvements & stewardship

Out of Scope: 

• ✕ Sites: The Rec Center or any other greenspaces (for this project)

• ✕ Traffic calming & major infrastructure projects

• ✕ Playgrounds, swings & slides

• ✕ Permanent buildings & greenhouses

• ✕ Housing & commercial development

Out-of-scope ideas may still be documented for future opportunities.

How will community feedback be used?

Community input gathered through meetings, surveys, workshops, events, and informal conversations will directly shape the Community Greening Plan and Implementation Roadmap. Feedback will be documented, synthesized, and shared with planning and design consultants throughout the process to help guide emerging concepts and priorities.

Who is developing the greening concepts and designs?

The planning process combines resident input with planning-level support from landscape architects, greening professionals, and artists. Community members will help shape priorities, ideas, and goals, while technical consultants will help translate those ideas into cohesive planning concepts and implementation-ready recommendations.

So this project is just for planning?

Yes — this phase of the project is focused on community engagement, planning, and design development. Together with residents, landscape architects, and artists, we will create a Community Greening Plan and Implementation Roadmap shaped by neighborhood priorities and lived experience.

Once the plan is complete, Francisville Garden & Greenspace Collective will work with partners, funders, and the community to pursue future funding and phased implementation opportunities for the ideas developed through this process.

When will physical changes happen?

This project focuses on planning, engagement, and conceptual design development. While small temporary greening activations may occur during the planning process, larger physical improvements would require future funding, partnerships, approvals, and phased implementation after the Community Greening Plan is completed. Our goal is to begin that process in Fall 2027, pending funding.

Why are stipends being offered?

Stipends help recognize community members’ time, lived experience, and participation in structured planning activities. They also help reduce barriers to participation and support more inclusive community engagement.

How do I get my stipend?

$25 stipends are available for eligible Francisville residents participating in structured "greening meetings" (not community social events). Eligible residents must live within the project area boundaries: north of Fairmount Avenue, south of Girard Avenue, east of Corinthian Avenue, and west of Broad Street.

To receive a stipend, participants must:

• Provide proof of residency (such as a driver’s license, state ID, or a piece of mail showing your name and address)

• Sign in for grant documentation purposes

• Attend the full duration of the meeting

Participant names and addresses will be recorded solely for grant compliance and reporting purposes. Stipends will be distributed at the conclusion of each eligible meeting.

How do I know if I won the Google Survey raffle?

Raffle winners will be contacted directly by email and must meet eligibility requirements, including age (18+), residency within Francisville and submission of valid contact information through the community feedback form.

Winners may also be announced through United Francisville Civic Association (UFCA) email communications using the winner’s first name and last initial for transparency.

What will I win if I win the Google Survey raffle?

The prize is a $100 gift card to a participating Francisville business. Participating businesses are:

Ace Fairmount Hardware
Aiyah
Ali's Wagon
Cambridge St Coffee House
Crossfit Fairmount
Javelin
Libertee Grounds
Muse Fitness
Natasha Lynn Studios
Phin Cafe
Pier Bar
Ryebread
Sandwich Corner
Solace Pharmacy
The Nail Cafe

*If you are a business and would like to participate, we have emailed you. Please email us at greenfrancisville@gmail.com

I can't attend any of these in-person meetings. Can I join virtually?

All meetings will take place in-person to support relationship-building, collaborative activities, and site-based discussion, there are still multiple ways to participate if you are unable to attend. Residents can:

• Complete the online Community Feedback Survey at any time throughout the planning process

• Attend community social events

• Participate in UFCA Greening Committee meetings, which may offer additional dates and opportunities for involvement throughout the year

Can children / teens participate?

Yes. Community events and some engagement activities are designed to welcome youth and families. However, meeting stipends are limited to eligible adult participants (18+).

Why are only certain sites included in this project?

This planning process focuses on a specific group of interconnected public spaces in Francisville in order to keep the project scope realistic, coordinated, and actionable within the grant timeline and budget.

While residents may identify additional spaces that are important to neighborhood life, this project specifically centers:

• The Francisville Yard (new community garden site)

• Ogden Park

• MLK Park

• The Ridge Avenue corridor

Some nearby spaces are already connected to separate planning processes or future capital projects. For example, the Francisville Recreation Center currently has its own planning efforts underway. Residents interested in learning more about Rec Center-related projects are encouraged to contact the United Francisville Civic Association (UFCA).

Community feedback about other neighborhood spaces may still be documented throughout the process to help inform future opportunities and long-term neighborhood planning efforts.

Why does the project include artists and cultural mapping?

Public spaces reflect more than physical infrastructure; they also reflect neighborhood history, identity, memory, and culture. Cultural mapping and creative engagement activities help document community stories and values so they can inform future greening and placemaking strategies.

The planning process also explores how public art can be integrated into neighborhood green spaces in ways that reflect Francisville’s history, culture, and community voice.

I am a local professional interested in contributing to the project. Who should I contact?

We welcome interest from local professionals, artists, facilitators, organizers, photographers, designers, and others who may be interested in supporting the project.

Please email greenfrancisville@gmail.com with information about your background, experience, and area of interest.

How is this project being funded?

This project is made possible by the Community Greening Plans grant, awarded to the Francisville Garden & Greenspace Collective by the William Penn Foundation. 

How can I stay informed throughout the process?

Project updates, meeting announcements, engagement opportunities, draft concepts, and community presentations will be shared through this website, events, and the United Francisville Civic Association (UFCA) communication network. Sign up for their newsletter at https://www.ufcaphilly.org/