Clean Air Council's Feet First Philly Announces Award Of Mini-Grants To 21 Public Space Enhancement Projects

On January 4, Feet First Philly is Philadelphia’s only pedestrian advocacy group dedicated to protecting the rights of pedestrians and is a project of the Clean Air Council. 

In partnership with Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, FFP supports projects that will improve Philadelphia’s public spaces with mini-grants of up to $2,000, making them safer and more accessible to pedestrians. 

“This is the first year we are able to fund almost half of the applications we received, and this has a lot to do with the commitment of our partners from the Health Department and everyone that donated to our fundraisers,” said Titania Markland Transportation Outreach Coordinator at Clean Air Council. “We are excited to see these projects installed because they will make great improvements to these public spaces, and improve safety and accessibility for all pedestrians.”

"We at the Health Department are so pleased to be able to support Philadelphians' visions for safer, cleaner, greener, more connected and more walkable communities," said Dr. Kinnari Chandriani, Director of the Health Department’s Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention. "The Surgeon General has identified a nationwide epidemic of loneliness and isolation. These community-led public space enhancements address that problem head-on, bringing neighbors together to improve and enjoy our outdoor environments."

Projects for this year's Public Space Enhancement Mini-grant program fall into five categories. 

Below are a few examples of these projects--.

-- Greening projects - projects that make improvements to community green spaces and gardens. Nicetown-Tioga Improvement Team RCO (NTIT) project will transform overgrown, abandoned lots into sacred art parks with monthly clean ups, tree planting, and programming to activate these community green spaces in North Philadelphia.

-- Infrastructure and Cleaning - projects that improve mobility by making the walking space more accessible and more appealing. Hunting Park Neighborhood Advisory Committee’s project will support block ambassadors by providing tools and equipment to conduct regular block cleanups in the Hunting Park Neighborhood.

-- Programming and Public Art - activating a space and including programs and activities. Original American Foundation’s project will use a community garden space in Southwest Philadelphia to teach gardening skills to kids and young adults.

-- Lighting and Security - Installation of lights to make spaces more visible and safer at nights. Friends of Campbell Square will install cafe style lighting along the southern part of Campbell Square to improve visibility in that area.

The complete list of organizations that will be receiving funding are:

Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha

Nicetown-Tioga Improvement Team RCO

Mantua Civic Association

Frankford Community Development Corporation

Tacony Community Development Corporation

Germantown Residents for Economic Alternative Together

Hunting Park Neighborhood Advisory Committee

Klean Kensington

Hunting Park Green

58th Street Neighbors

Susquehanna Clean Up/Pick Up Inc

Friends of Campbell Square

Original American Foundation

Greater Philadelphia Asian Social Service Center

Belmont Alliance Civic Association CDC

Exhibit A Art Design

Do Moore Good

Wynnefield Heights Community Association

Community Alliance for Development

Disney-Nichols AME Church

Friends of Carrol Park 

All of the funded organizations and their projects are located in communities that have experienced active disinvestment in their public spaces. 

Mini-grant recipients were selected because of their innovative and inspiring community-led proposals that address the challenges of increasing pedestrian access, reducing violence, and improving safety in their respective neighborhoods. 

“With this grant, we will finally be able to begin our community garden project for the community,” said David Ly from Greater Philadelphia Asian Social Services Center. “This Garden will help revitalize the area, make use of vacant land, stimulate community engagement, and become a source of joy for many.” 

“We welcome the opportunity to work with Feet First Philly to promote health and safe travels for pedestrians,” said Judith Robinson from Susquehanna Clean Up/Pick Up Inc. “We look forward to a project that can be of value citywide. This grant will allow our community to use a neighbor/ peer approach to problem solving.”

The Public Space Enhancement Mini-grant program is now in its fourth year and will fund 21 projects in 2024, the largest set of projects the group has awarded since 2020 when the program was launched.

Visit the Clean Air Council’s Feet First Philly website for more information.  Questions should be directed to: Titania Markland, tmarkland@cleanair.org or call (404) 454-6501

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Clean Air Council website, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.   Click Here to sign up for regular updates (bottom of page).  Click Here to support their work.

[Posted: January 4, 2024]  PA Environment Digest