Well, I finally set up my Flickr account as well as loaded all of my pictures, so maybe I should do this, yeah? It’s been awhile since I’ve done my Urban Oasis segment, having started with Rittenhouse Square but stopping there. In this article and my next one, I’ll be covering both Jefferson Square and Clark Park, both of which are under the supervision of the Philadelphia Department of Recreation.
The Jefferson Square shots were taken in mid-March, where there was a warm break in the cold weather but still far too early for leaves and grass to return. I would benefit from another visit this summer when one could see the park at its best. Jefferson Square sits south of the 3rd and 5th blocks of Washington Ave, surrounded primarily by private homes, with some of the houses to the north being newer project buildings. The immediate neighborhood is a mixture of low income earners, long-time residents and higher-middle class earners that are situated closer to the south end, especially where it is closer to Moyamensing Ave and other streets with prime real estate.
At that time of the year, the square was in mildly rough shape. Given then-recent saltings to handle snow fall, a great deal of salt-staining and tire marks was visible. The condition of the grass was typical for the season, and there were a number of trees in the park, which was an encouraging sign. The pavement could be in better shape, and where a couple of trees are concerned, it is forced up and cracked. There are a few benches and plenty of running space (I immediately noted the number of dog-walkers), and there is a small playground and basketball court in an enclosed area on the west side.
When it comes to park conditions, I am often drawn to the damages people do, and a few of my shots reflect that focus. There were certainly a handful of spots that were covered with graffiti, and I noted that some of the benches were chained to concrete where they could (there has been a problem?). My greatest concern was the amount of trash and litter that could be found all over the park, most of it in the form of plastic bottles. Sometimes the trash was on the ground right next to a waiting garbage can. In one corner, I found mysterious cat food cans with remnants of leaves and meat inside (I’m hoping these were not poisoned). I would hope that the lack of upkeep could be chalked up to the season, and that this treatment of the park is not habitual throughout the year.
Jefferson Square is a beautiful park and a boon to its community that just needs some tender love and care like all things. As I have already stated, it might be best to make another visit to the square to check on its current status, but having seen it the winter neglect is a valuable experience. The REC website has a small page about the square, which includes information about the park’s history and both a bio and contact information for the Friends of Jefferson Square Park, for those that would like to learn more.
