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Participants in the summer food program, photo by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation

Resources to Better Your Block

By Resolve Staff

Whether you’d like to become a block captain or just lend a helping hand to your neighbors, the following list suggests ways to get active in your community. Scan the QR code below for a PDF document containing all of this information and clickable links. Feel free to print and share.

Become a Block Captain

Block Cleaning

  • The city’s Community Partnership Program (CPP) lends cleaning supplies and tools to blocks without a captain. Once you’ve chosen a date for a block cleanup, you can request supplies from CCP and pick them up during designated times from their North Philadelphia warehouse. You can also coordinate with them to haul the trash after your cleanup. CCP can be reached at (215) 685-9558, or visit their website for more details: https://www.phila.gov/programs/community-partnership-program/
  • Glitter is a block cleaning service that offers a pay-what-you-can model. Once enough neighbors on a block have pledged at least $50 collectively, Glitter can start monthly cleanings. For more details, call Glitter at (215) 995-0210, email them at hello@shareglitter.com, or visit their website: https://shareglitter.com/
  • Block by Block Philly accepts submissions of blocks that need cleaning. After receiving a request, they’ll contact you within 24-48 hours to schedule a cleanup. For more details, call (215) 668-0649 or visit their website: https://www.blockbyblockphilly.com/

Block Greening

  • Property owners can request a free street tree from Parks and Recreation. Street trees are planted along sidewalks and other public rights-of-way. The planting season generally runs from mid-April to mid-June and mid-October to mid-November. For more details, call the Street Tree Management Division at (215) 685-4363 or (215) 685-4362, email StreetTree.Info@phila.gov, or visit their website: https://www.phila.gov/services/trees-parks-the-environment/tree-related-services/get-a-street-tree/
  • Free organic materials are available for pickup from the Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center. Philly residents with ID can take as much as 30 gallons of compost, mulch, or wood chips up to two times per week. For more details, call the center at (215) 685-0108 or visit their website: https://www.phila.gov/services/trees-parks-the-environment/get-organic-materials/
  • Learn the process of starting a community garden with educational workshops and assistance from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s (PHS) Community Gardens Program. PHS offers a 6-week Garden Tenders Series in the fall or spring for those interested in starting or sustaining a community garden. For more details, call PHS at ( 215) 988-8800, email the Community Gardens Team at communitygardens@pennhort.org, or visit their website: https://phsonline.org/programs/community-gardens/services-for-community-gardens

Civic Engagement

  • Committee of 70 provides contact information for Philadelphia Ward Leaders and Committee people, as well as a handbook with instructions on how to run for Committee Person. For more details, call C70 at (215) 557-3600, email bettergov@seventy.org, or visit their website: https://seventy.org/philadelphia-ward-leaders-committeepeople
  • Find a Registered Community Organization (RCO) to get involved with by using the city’s OpenMaps web page and selecting RCO from the menu on the left. Once filtered for RCOs you can move your cursor around the map to locate organizations in your neighborhood. The OpenMaps page can be found here: https://openmaps.phila.gov/
  • Distribute voter registration forms, available for free at the City Commissioners office, with locations in City Hall and at the Voter Registration Office at 520 N Columbus Blvd. For more details, call( 215) 686-3469 or (215) 686-1591, or visit their website: https://vote.phila.gov/about-us/contact-us/

Youth Recreation and Education

  • Host a Playstreet and/or summer meal site. Both programs are free and volunteer-led with assistance from Parks and Recreation. Playstreets must participate in the summer food program, which provides lunch and snacks to kids 18 and under. Interested residents must submit an application and a petition with signatures from at least 75% of block residents agreeing to the Playstreet, which closes the block down from 10 am – 4 pm every day. To apply for either program, call (215) 685-2719 or (215) 685-2720, email PlayStreets@phila.gov, or visit their website: https://www.phila.gov/programs/playstreets/
  • Become a Reading Captain, a position that Read by 4th describes as being “like a block captain, but for all things early literacy”. Reading Captains are volunteers aged 18 or older with a passion for reading and a desire to share books and other literacy resources with families in their neighborhoods. For more details and information about how to sign up, visit their website: https://www.readby4th.org/readingcaptain
  • Start a Little Free Library. If your community would benefit from one of these free book exchanges seen at parks and on sidewalks throughout the city, you can build one independently or with help from your neighbors. Little free libraries placed on city property require a zoning permit. For more details, visit https://littlefreelibrary.org/start/