Case Study:

When the Philadelphia Water Department undertook a restoration project aimed at improving the health of Tacony Creek, they enlisted private, non-profit, and City partners to ensure the effort created a ripple effect. The result was a rebirth of sorts: instead of an abused, frightening dumping ground, Tacony Creek Park is now a beautiful, peaceful place that is being appreciated and cared for by surrounding neighborhoods. It's a win-win in more ways than one.

"The zipcode where this trail is has seen some of the biggest declines in socio-economic and health data in the Philadelphia area," says Joe Pyle, President of the Thomas Scattergood Behavorial Health Foundation, whose Friends Hospital property lies within the park. "This trail, this neighborhood need each other. The community needs the green space. And the green space needs the community..."

"People had no idea what was down here," acknowledges Julie Slavet, Executive Director of the non-profit Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, "until they see the streambank restoration going on and they really just stop and say WOW, this is really beautiful. This is their park, they should come down here, meet their neighbors, get involved, and make this a community asset..."

We've dedicated an entire section of this site known as Clean Your Water to help get people involved in their local waterways, and the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed is one of the first to be highlighted! Check out the site >>

Like What you See? Want to spread ideas about how community members can help keep local waterways clean? Share a Mobile-Friendly Snippet!

Check out the mobile-ready shorts below. The first is a short summary of the value the park brings to the community; the others are derived from the Waterview Rec Center video case study and show some of the green tools that are being used in the TTF watershed to manage rain where it falls.

Share these shorts directly via newsletters and social media by embedding the Vimeo codes. Or use the QR Code images on signs, postcards, posters and other cool stuff. (You can learn more about how you can use QR Codes in our QR Code Guide)

Whatever you do, please let us know what technique you use, and send us your own great ideas for getting these videos out!

This excerpt summarizes the stream restoration project that led to a trail--and how the trail brought the community back to the creek. The result: healthier residents and a healthier creek. Share the Link to the Snippet: http://bit.ly/SWPATaconyCommunity Share the QR Code: (click for full-size image)

This excerpt looks at the tree trenches that not only absorb rainfall, but store it and water the adjacent playing field. Share the Link to the Snippet: http://bit.ly/SWPAWaterview1 Share the QR Code: (click for full-size image)
	This short shows how porous paved sidewalks manage runoff and prevent pollution from entering the storm drains and polluting our streams. Share the Link to the Snippet: http://bit.ly/SWPAWaterview2 Share the QR Code: (click for full-size image)
This excerpt shows how "flow through planters" manage rooftop runoff to keep water on site. Share the Link to the Snippet: http://bit.ly/SWPAWaterview3 Share the QR Code: (click for full-size image)

Additional Resources

The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership (TTF) has an amazing array of programming throughout the watershed and invites YOU to get involved. Get started by visiting their website to learn what you can do. Get water smart. Take a hike along the trail. Sign up to attend one of their community events...