The Peebles Block Club Park Project is a community improvement project based on the renovation of the former Rosa Parks Playground located in the middle of the 400-block of Peebles St. and S. Trenton Ave. The primary goal is to turn the former playground space1, as well as two adjacent empty lots2, into a new community space and recreation area featuring ample gardens, community amenities, seating areas, and more.
The project is in the earliest stages of planning and gathering support at this time.
History
The area in question occupies the center of the 400 Block of Peebles/S. Trenton. At the North end, it contains the remnants of Mifflin Ave. which used to run through the block. The South End now borders two large apartment buildings.
The Rosa Parks playground has been defunct for many years. Notes from a Wilkinsburg Borough Council meeting on May 13, 2015 indicate that the property has been vacant and unused for over 8 years (as of that time)3.
Today
Today, we’re making great strides in rehabilitating the space. A great deal of cleaning and landscaping has been done to make the area feel open and usable. There’s a Picnic Table (Currently in need of repair), and a new bench in a sitting area. Children play in the area.
The two empty lots2 adjacent to the park have been fully incorporated into the park. It’s a nice grassy space for community gatherings. Cookouts are common, and a makeshift horse-shoe pit has been in use.
Currently, work is ongoing to mulch all of the flowerbeds, trees, and sitting areas.
Long Term Dreams
Considerations for the future of this lot should meet several conditions – it should attempt to maintain current uses that the neighbors enjoy, it should improve the usability for a wider range of neighbors, and it should prioritize low-cost improvements and low-maintenance solutions.
To that end, our current proposal is the conversion of the two lots2 and former Rosa Parks Playground into a new Garden Park, a community gathering space and natural area.
Community Amenities
Neighbors currently enjoy throwing Horse Shoes when spending time with family nearby, so a brand new, full size Horse Shoe pit will be included.
Picnic Tables and benches offer a place for people to gather for cookouts, celebrations, and more.
Seating areas along the solar-lit paths will let people relax and enjoy the plantings.
Naturally Beautiful
This projects removes a large area of pavement and concrete and replaces it with gardens and grassy spaces. The gardens will feature native plants that require minimal maintenance, and will thrive without additional watering, feeding, or other intervention. Plant selections will encourage pollinators.
The gardens will further support the diverse wildlife already found in the area.
Notes
1. Parcel ID: 0176-B-00350-0000-00
2. Parcel IDs : 0175-P-00153-0000-00, Parcel ID : 0175-P-00152-0000-00
3. 5/13/2015 Council Notes