Community Life
Norris Square Neighborhood Project plans community fridge at Raíces Garden
The fridge will expand free food access and build a shared neighborhood resource shaped by resident input.
Public Space
Parks, playgrounds, community gardens and green space in Kensington, Philadelphia. Reporting on rec centers, vacant lots and how neighbors use public land.
Community Life
Dirt Day turns empty Kensington lot into pop-up park with greening education and community
The event was hosted by Esperanza Health Center, New Kensington Community Development Corporation, and Heights Philadelphia.
Community Life
Public Space
Historic Fair Hill’s mural tour preserves neighborhood Black history for future generations
The walking tour introduced preteens to the history in their own neighborhood — from abolition-era organizing to the messages still painted on today’s walls.
Arts & Culture
New workshop series asks Kensington residents to help shape greener public spaces
Neighbors and community organizers gathered at the Kensington Engagement Center to kick off Co-Creating a Greenprint for Kensington, a workshop series organized by NKCDC focused on expanding and improving safe public green spaces.
Looking back at 2025: A year in photos from Kensington
A year in photographs from the neighborhood, made close and over time.
Public Space
Photos of Kensington: Basketball and Community at Trenton and Auburn Playground
Neighbors filled the sidelines at Trenton and Auburn Playground for a summer league game between the Jewtown Ballers and the Peacemakers.
Accountability
Most of Philly’s opioid settlement money to go to Riverview Wellness Village recovery housing facility
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration plans to allocate more to Riverview than to all other opioid settlement money initiatives combined.
Accountability
What the mayor's new affordable housing plan could mean for Kensington
Mayor Cherelle Parker’s sweeping $2 billion housing plan—the Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) initiative aims to preserve and create 30,000 housing units over four years in response to the city’s housing crisis.
Arts & Culture
Opinion | Ending drug tourism in Kensington starts with calling the drugs what they are: poison
Real progress starts with branding Kensington’s drug supply for what it is: a source of brutal withdrawal and suffering.
Accountability
A first look at McPherson Square renovation plans, city to continue gathering input
After seeing the redesign plans for McPherson Square Park and Library, residents asked for more shade, and requested the library stay open during construction.
Public Space
McPherson Square Library to remain closed, with virtual Rebuild community engagement meeting scheduled
McPherson Square Library, which has been closed since June 21st due to a broken air conditioning system, may reopen by next Tuesday in time for a meeting with the City of Philadelphia’s Rebuild program.
Kids in Kensington
Norris Square Resource List: Where to find jobs, health, housing support
The Norris Square Neighborhood Profile, released in July, explored rising housing costs and other shifts in the neighborhood. This resource list points residents to support.
Public Space
New outdoor art installation brings hope, healing for families of gun violence victims
A new public art installation “A Better World Is Possible," repurposes firearms and aims to foster resilience and healing for Kensington residents impacted by gun violence.
Public Space
Philadelphia DA announces charges against man allegedly running Kensington drug trafficking ring
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is charging 35-year-old Edgardo Rivera with felony drug possession with intent to deliver, among other crimes – including 11 counts of misdemeanor weapons offense.
Arts & Culture
New library opens in Kensington: 'You can never have too many books'
Closing the distance between families and their favorite books, The Simple Library gives kids and adults a place to relax and read without traveling too far.
Housing & Shelter
Rising costs threaten Latino cultural fabric in Norris Square, new community survey finds
The 2025 Norris Square Neighborhood Profile sought to capture information on the area’s population, quality of life, and economic status and spark dialogue among community leaders and residents.
Immigration
Creating Sanctuary: Kensington cooking and leadership program lowers stress, opens doors for teens
PB&J’s Wednesday Leadership program incentivizes teens to build communication skills while cooking together.
Accountability
As Kensington mobile service vote approaches, opponents warn ban adds barriers to lifesaving care
The bill, which would ban mobile services from most of the 7th District, is up for a final vote on Thursday.
Clean Streets
Photos of Kensington: Spring cleanup at Trenton & Auburn Playground with Mayor Parker’s support
Community members lead a spring cleanup at Trenton and Auburn Playground, followed by a visit from Mayor Cherelle Parker in support of revitalization efforts.
Public Space
Photos of Kensington:Celebrating the Revitalization of Rivera Recreation Center & Mann Older Adult Center
Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center celebrated their renovation and reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the unveiling the community-created mural “El Ritmo del Centro".
Accountability
City Council advances bill banning mobile services providers from most of Kensington and 7th District
The amendments, approved in a 12-3 vote, would require mobile providers to obtain permits while also imposing strict location and time limits on their operations.
Clean Streets
Here's how East Kensington's Arcadia Commons came together to protect vacant lots that were being stewarded by the community
An abandoned lot in East Kensington sparked a community-led movement to reclaim green space.
Public Space
‘Basketball is the medium’: Kensington nonprofits launch free league to prevent violence among young men
The basketball league teaches men about teamwork while also helping them improve their game, coaches and players say.
Accountability
Empathy, common concerns break through tensions over Kensington mobile services ban bill
While there was some tension, there were also moments of empathy, vulnerability, and shared struggle. The conversation was not black and white, with many landing somewhere in the middle.