Where once there were trees
Artificial turf has been installed on the first of a planned 16 playing fields in the FDR Park Meadows.
The first one of 16 artificial turf fields planned for the FDR Park Meadows.
Inset: The Picnic Grove, just over two years ago.
The Fairmount Park “Conservancy” has installed the artificial turf on the field it has been building for the last nine months. It has already clearcut over 20 acres of the Meadows for eight more fields, although it doesn’t have the money to build them, and plans to clear at least another 90 acres, including space for seven other fields, all artificial turf, for a total of 16.
This used to be the Picnic Grove. The state champion hornbeam was among about a dozen heritage trees that stood here, along with other trees. The grass has been replaced with toxic artificial turf, and the trees have been replaced with 70-foot floodlights.
Most of the Meadows remain, virtually untouched. Your neighbors are fighting to save them — here’s how you can help.
PPR Commissioner Slawson authorized illegal construction of turf field in FDR Park
WHYY reports that Slawson said she authorized the Phillies to install artificial turf at Ashburn Field, despite having not received a required environmental permit. “That’s not how we typically handle projects. Public safety was never at a risk. But we had made a promise. The Phillies were aware of the outstanding compliance items — and the city, we allowed the work to proceed to accommodate the MLB All-Star Game.”
The city has no authority to override state law. Slawson knows it, and the Phillies know it. They did it anyway.
WHYY reports that Slawson said she authorized the Phillies to install artificial turf at Ashburn Field, despite having not received a required environmental permit. “That’s not how we typically handle projects. Public safety was never at a risk. But we had made a promise. The Phillies were aware of the outstanding compliance items — and the city, we allowed the work to proceed to accommodate the MLB All-Star Game.”
The city has no authority to override state law. Slawson knows it, and the Phillies know it. They did it anyway.
Phillies: We don’t need no stinkin’ permit
The Inquirer confirms: The Phillies rebuilt Ashburn Field in FDR Park without getting the proper permit from the state Dept. of Environmental Protection — just to be done in time for All-Star week. Worse, they say the city “authorized” the work to proceed without the permit. That’s a power the city doesn’t have.
Read more in our latest email update.
The Inquirer confirms: The Phillies rebuilt Ashburn Field in FDR Park without getting the proper permit from the state Dept. of Environmental Protection — just to be done in time for All-Star week. Worse, they say the city “authorized” the work to proceed without the permit. That’s a power the city doesn’t have.
Read more in our latest email update, and in the Inquirer.
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Hot, hot, hot!
We know artificial turf gets way hotter than natural grass. But we went to Ashburn Field, where the Phillies just installed turf, to find out just how much hotter . Head over to our Instagram to see what we found. Then imagine 16 more fields of it in the Meadows.
We know artificial turf gets way hotter than natural grass.
We know artificial turf gets way hotter than natural grass. But we went to Ashburn Field, where the Phillies just installed turf, to find out just how much hotter. Head over to our Instagram to see what we found. Then imagine 16 more fields of it in the Meadows.
Arborlogues comes to the Meadows!
A red-curtained theater is created deep in the forest. Inside, a single audience member — an ancient tree — awaits the performer. The performer is you. Saturday July 18 and Sunday July 19 only. Benefits Save The Meadows. More info & tickets.
A red-curtained theater is created deep in the forest. Inside, a single audience member — an ancient tree — awaits the performer. The performer is you.
Saturday July 18 and Sunday July 19 only. Benefits Save The Meadows. More info & tickets.
Just giving it away
City Council just voted to authorize the lease of the $12M Welcome Center in FDR Park to the Conservancy.
Councilmembers didn’t get to see the lease before voting, and the authorization doesn’t require the Conservancy to provide any park-related service to the public — or any services, for that matter. Oh, and the Conservancy gets it for next to nothing. They all voted for it anyway.
Want to know more? Our June 2 email update had the scoop before it happened.
City Council just voted to authorize the lease of the $12M Welcome Center in FDR Park to the Conservancy.
Councilmembers didn’t get to see the lease before voting, and the authorization doesn’t require the Conservancy to provide any park-related service to the public — or any services, for that matter. Oh, and the Conservancy gets it for next to nothing. They all voted for it anyway.
Want to know more? Our June 2 email update had the scoop before it happened.