Roxborough Development Corporation and Groundswell Design Group have unveiled their plans for the new pocket park coming to Ridge Avenue. RDC and Groundswell heard from local residents about what they'd like in the park, and the result includes myriad multi-use spaces for community activities.
Located at 6170-72 Ridge Ave. next to the Allison Building, the park is set to include gardens and pathways to create more intimate spaces, plus features like a rain garden boardwalk and history-themed mural. Features like stadium seating, a movie projection area and a beautified entryway will tie the space together for events. The Groundswell rendering also alludes to possible uses for the space, like a farmers market, a yoga class or visiting food trucks and mobile vendors.
Community input emphasized the need for the space to be sustainable. Thus, Groundswell's landscape architects planned ways to divert stormwater runoff from the Schuylkill River so that it can be filtered and purified on-site using soil-water-plant systems like native trees, perennials, shrubs, grasses and rain gardens.
PECO's Schuylkill River Restoration Fund is helping to fund the project, with the RDC seeking more funding to bring it all to life now that plans for the space have come together.