FRANCISVILLE GARDEN & GREENSPACE COLLECTIVE

Together We Bloom.

WHO WE ARE

Welcome to Francisville Garden & Greenspace Collective (FGGC)!

We are a resident-led nonprofit rooted in the Francisville neighborhood of Philadelphia and created by neighbors who care deeply about the future of our shared public spaces and who want a greener, cleaner neighborhood.

FGGC grew out of years of community-led greening efforts, including the creation and stewardship of the Lil’ Ogden Community Garden. What began as neighbors coming together to clean, plant, gather, and care for one small space evolved into a broader vision for neighborhood-wide greening, stewardship, and community-centered public space planning.

Today, our work focuses on supporting greener, healthier, and more connected public spaces that reflect the voices, history, and needs of the Francisville community. Through collaboration, community engagement, cultural preservation, and long-term planning efforts, we hope to help create spaces where neighbors can gather, feel represented, and build lasting connections with one another.

We’re glad you’re here!

-the FGGC Board
Ashley, Joe, Erika, Fatimah, and Gabe

OUR MISSION

Francisville Garden & Greenspace Collective is a 501(c)(3) and works to strengthen community well-being in Francisville through resident-led stewardship, conservation, preservation, and care of shared green and open spaces. We believe accessible, well-tended public spaces are essential to environmental sustainability, mental and physical health, and a strong sense of belonging. Our work centers community voice and local knowledge, honors the neighborhood’s cultural history, and supports inclusive public life by fostering places where neighbors can gather, connect, and care for the spaces they share. We aim to preserve and improve neighborhood green spaces for long-term public benefit and a more equitable, resilient future.

Our Story

Learn how Francisville Garden & Greenspace Collective began, the community efforts that brought us here, the people behind the work, and the partners helping shape a greener future for Francisville. Explore our timeline, leadership team, and the relationships growing this vision alongside the neighborhood.

OUR CURRENT PROJECT: COMMUNITY GREENING PLAN

Francisville Garden & Greenspace Collective is currently leading a 12-month, resident-driven Community Greening Plan focused on four interconnected public spaces in Francisville: the Francisville Yard (new greenspace coming soon to 1438 Poplar St), MLK Park, Ogden Park, and Ridge Ave.

Through meetings, social events, surveys, creative workshops, and ongoing community engagement, neighbors will help shape the future of these spaces alongside landscape architects and artists. The final outcome will be a community-informed Greening Plan and Implementation Roadmap designed to support long-term stewardship, environmental sustainability, neighborhood identity, and equitable access to welcoming public spaces.

This project has been made possible by a grant from the William Penn Foundation. The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, is committed to expanding access to resources and opportunities that promote a more vital and just city and region for all. We do this through funding programs in the Philadelphia region in arts and culture, children and families, democracy and civic initiatives, environment and public space, and workforce training and services. Learn more at www.williampennfoundation.org.

We are also so grateful to St Joseph's Preparatory School who is kindly acting as our fiscal sponsor. This wouldn't be possible without them!

Francisville Yard
1438 Poplar St

Ogden Park
857 N 20th St

MLK Park
1800 Poplar St

Ridge Ave
Broad to Girard

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED & MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

This project is community-driven at its core. Through meetings, events, surveys, and conversations, we’re working to better understand what neighbors value, need, and hope to see in Francisville’s public green spaces. Over the coming months, community input will help shape a long-term greening plan for the neighborhood — one that will guide future designs by landscape architects and artists, priorities, and funding opportunities across these spaces. If you want your voice reflected in that vision, now is the time to participate while the plan is still being formed. Many parts of this effort are powered by community volunteers and local partnerships, with lots of ways to take part along the way.

🤝 PARTICIPATE IN A MEETING

🥳 ATTEND A COMMUNITY EVENT

📃 GIVE FEEDBACK ON PLAN DRAFTS

💻 COMPLETE THE GOOGLE SURVEY

📩 STAY UP-TO-DATE VIA EMAIL

🫶 DONATE & VOLUNTEER

1. PARTICIPATE IN A MEETING

General Greening Meeting
Wednesday, July 8, 6:30 - 8:00pm, Francisville Recreation Center (737-39 Francis St)
Join this special UFCA meeting to learn about the launch of the Community Greening Plan, meet project partners, and share early thoaughts about the future of Francisville’s public spaces.

Ridge Ave Greening Meeting
Wednesday, July 29th 6:30 - 8:00pm, the Lenni (1608 Ridge Avenue)
Help shape ideas for the Ridge Avenue commercial corridor, including greening, beautification, public art, walkability, neighborhood identity, and creating a more welcoming public environment for residents, businesses, and visitors.

MLK Park Greening Meeting
Saturday, August 1st 10:00 - 11:30am, the Lenni (1608 Ridge Avenue)
Join a conversation about the cultural and historical significance of MLK Park and explore thoughtful ways to preserve, honor, and strengthen the identity, visibility, and community connection of this important neighborhood space.

Ogden Park Greening Meeting
Date, Time, Location TBD
Share ideas for the future of Ogden Park, including comfort, beauty, gathering space, planting, recreation, stewardship, and how the park can better support everyday neighborhood life.

The Francisville Yard Greening Meeting
Date, Time, Location TBD
Help imagine the future of Francisville’s newest community greenspace. As a new and evolving site created in response to the loss of the former community garden, this meeting will explore ideas for the space’s identity, use, planting, layout, and long-term stewardship.

Family Art Workshop
Date, Time, Location TBD
Through drawing, storytelling, and creative activities, kids and families will help share how they experience neighborhood spaces and imagine what they would like these places to feel like in the future. Ideas and themes from the workshop may help inspire future artistic and placemaking concepts within the project sites.

Adults Art Workshop
Date, Time, Location TBD
This creative workshop invites adults to reflect on neighborhood history, identity, memory, and public space through storytelling and collaborative art-making. Community ideas and experiences gathered through the session will help inform future artistic and cultural concepts connected to the Community Greening Plan.

We value your time and view your lived experiences as expertise. In an effort to make these meetings as accessible and inclusive as possible, we will provide the following: 1) food and refreshments, 2) $25 stipends to meeting participants (Francisville residents, 18+ years old), 3) access resources as needed - such as translation services, ADA accessible meeting sites, and childcare stipends if needed. Please email FGGC in advance if you require any of these to participate.

2. ATTEND A COMMUNITY EVENT

Francisville Bloom Fest: A Neighborhood Festival of Flowers, Color & Creativity

Date, 3-7 p.m., The Francisville Yard, 1438 Poplar St, Philadelphia

Food & Drink: Food truck • Ice cream truck • Drinks
Activities: Pressed flower art • Flower crown station • Face painting • Lawn games • Chalk • Bubbles
Entertainment: Live music • Fire dance show

Roots, Hoops & BBQ: Celebrating Community, Legacy & the Future of MLK Park Under the Trees

Date, 2-6 p.m., MLK Park, 1800 Poplar St, Philadelphia

Food & Drink: Food • Banana mousse • Drinks
Activities: Paint-a-pot & plant station • Face painting • Balloon artist • Kids activities
Entertainment: Live music • Free throw challenge

Francisville Fall Fest: An Evening of Autumn Magic, Music & Community in the Firelight

Saturday, October 24, 4-8 p.m., Ogden Park, 857 N 20th St, Philadelphia

Food & Drink: Food truck • Desserts • Drinks
Activities: Magician • Balloon artist • Pumpkin painting • Lawn games • Chalk • Bubbles
Entertainment: Live music • Fire dance show

These free community events are designed to bring neighbors together in welcoming environments while gathering informal feedback about the future of Francisville’s public greenspaces. Through food, music, art, recreation, and conversation, these events create opportunities for residents of all ages to connect with one another, share ideas, and help shape the Community Greening Plan in ways that feel accessible, creative, and community-centered.

3. GIVE FEEBACK ON PLAN DRAFTS

Community Greening Plan - First Draft Reveal
UFCA Holiday Party: Date, Time TBD

An early look at the first draft of the Community Greening Plan, including emerging themes, initial concepts, and ideas shaped through community meetings, events, surveys, and neighborhood conversations.

Community Greening Plan - Second Draft Reveal
UFCA Greening Committee Open Meeting: Date, Time TBD

An opportunity for residents to review updated concepts, provide feedback, and help refine the evolving Community Greening Plan before finalization.

Community Greening Plan - Final Reveal
Location TBD: Date, Time TBD

A public presentation and community celebration sharing the final Community Greening Plan and Implementation Roadmap shaped through a year of resident-led engagement and collaboration.

👉YOU CAN ALSO FIND PROJECT PROGRESS & STATUS HERE

These events will provide opportunities for neighbors to review evolving concepts, share feedback, and celebrate the collective vision created through this process. In partnership with the United Francisville Civic Association (UFCA), these presentations will be integrated into existing neighborhood gatherings and committee structures to help ensure the planning process remains accessible, community-centered, and connected to ongoing civic life in Francisville.

4. COMPLETE THE GOOGLE SURVEY

Neighbors who participate in this community feedback form can choose to enter our monthly raffle as a thank-you for helping shape the future of Francisville’s public spaces. Participation is completely optional and no purchase is required. To be eligible, participants must live in Francisville and provide contact information so winners can be notified. Each month through December 2026, one winner will receive a $100 gift card to a participating local participating Francisville business. For transparency, winners may be publicly announced using their first name and last initial.

5. STAY UP-TO-DATE

We are partnering with the United Francisville Civic Association (UFCA) to share project updates, meetings, events, and engagement opportunities through their established neighborhood email network and communication channels.

6. DONATE

Donations help support resident-led greening and community-building efforts in Francisville, including planting materials, clean-up supplies, community events, temporary greening projects, and future neighborhood beautification efforts shaped through the Community Greening Plan.

7. VOLUNTEER

Email us to express your interest in helping with any of the following:

event support
gardening
clean ups
outreach
greening committee

Venmo @GreenFrancisville

Email greenfrancisville@gmail.com

Find all event details and subscribe to the calendar here:

Easily complete the Google Survey here:

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

This project is possible because of the collaboration, expertise, and commitment of community partners who care deeply about Francisville's future. We are grateful for the organizations and individuals who have agreed to share their knowledge, perspectives, and leadership throughout this planning process.

The work of FNDC has established a foundation for this effort. Their vision, advocacy, and Blueprint for the Future are foundational as we continue shaping the future of Francisville's public spaces.

The Morroccos bring valuable community knowledge, lived experience, and neighborhood perspective that will help ensure this process reflects the people and culture that make Francisville unique.

Through its commitment to community engagement, UFCA will help connect residents to the planning process and ensure neighborhood voices remain at the center of the conversation.

FGGC is honored to coordinate this collaborative effort, bringing together neighbors, community organizations, and design professionals to create a shared vision for Francisville's public green spaces.

& THANK YOU TO OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS

Local businesses and organizations help bring community spaces to life. As this project moves forward, we welcome opportunities to collaborate with partners who share a commitment to a vibrant and connected Francisville. Opportunities may include:

Hosting meetings, workshops, or community events
Providing catering, refreshments, or event services
Providing gift cards or raffle items for community participation incentives
Helping share project information and outreach materials
Participating in community conversations about the future of Francisville's public spaces

If you are interested in partnering with FGGC, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us at greenfrancisville@gmail.com.

QUESTIONS?

Email greenfrancisville@gmail.com

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