Philly Spring Cleanup 2009, volunteers in the corner lot at W Rockland and Greene St. View more photos from the 2009 cleanup on Flickr.

W Rockland Street has participated in the annual Philly Spring Cleanup in 2009, 2010 and 2011. We’re super excited that April 14, 2012 will mark the block’s 4th year participating in the city-wide project. W Rockland Street Neighbors will be sponsoring a Germantown Cleanup Meeting for residents in SW Germantown on Monday, March 12 at 7 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish to talk about two important projects extending beyond W Rockland St.

Goals for the Meeting:

1. Talk with SW Germantown Neighbors and DePaul Catholic School about the future of the lot at the corner of Greene & Rockland St and creating a community garden.

Neighbors on W Rockland St have been working to maintain the area for the past several years and keep the space clean and clear of illegal dumping, which long plagued the vacant lot at the corner of W Rockland and Greene. W Rockland St residents aggressively advocated to have the blighted houses at 4817 and 4815 Greene St torn down, which loomed over the neighborhood for nearly 20 years (maybe more). In June 2011, the buildings were demolished, after Mayor Michael Nutter paid a surprise visit to W Rockland St to check out the Grow This Block! garden project. The demolition was funded by the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), managed by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia. For a look back, check out photos of the abandoned houses and learn about the demolition project:

• BREAKING NEWS: The blighted houses at 4817 and 4815 Greene Street at the corner of W Rockland will be torn down effective immediately!
• Photos! Updates! Demolition of the blighted houses at 4817 and 4815 Greene Street

2. Learn about and sign your block up for the annual PHILLY SPRING CLEANUP on Saturday, April 14.

Every block that signs up officially has the opportunity to receive donated supplies for your project including bags, shovels, rakes, brooms, gloves, new recycling bins, special bulk trash pickup and more.

We’re encouraging the blocks surrounding W Rockland St to participate alongside us in the Philly Spring Cleanup. Learn how to register your project at the meeting, or visit www.phillycleanup.com for more information.

We hope you can make it! Check out the flyer below. If you would like to print a copy or share the information, download a PDF of the flyer right here.

St. Francis of Assisi at 4821 Greene St
Enter on Greene St through Courtyard
(between Logan St & W Rockland St)

Questions? Email rocklandstreet@gmail.com or call (215) 805-8091.