North Philly Peace Park

North Philadelphia Peace Park is a community-managed green space located in the Sharswood neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 2012, the park was established on several vacant lots across from the former Blumberg Housing Projects.

The park serves as an ecological campus and urban farm, promoting food security, education, and environmental stewardship in an area facing significant economic challenges. With a poverty rate of 52.5% and widespread unemployment, the Peace Park aims to address critical community needs through its programs and facilities.

At its core, the Peace Park features organic, fence-free gardens where fresh produce is grown and distributed to local residents. The park has given away over 30,000 pounds of healthy produce since 2018, helping to combat food insecurity in the neighborhood.

Beyond agriculture, the Peace Park offers educational programs focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) subjects for K-12 students. It hosts school group visits and provides hands-on learning experiences in planting, harvesting, landscape design, composting, and plant identification.

The park also serves as a community gathering space, hosting events, workshops, and wellness programs. Its "Self-Care Saturdays" initiative offers free health and wellness activities including group counseling, art therapy, yoga, fitness classes, and cooking demonstrations.

In recent years, the Peace Park has been developing plans for expansion, including the construction of a multi-purpose pavilion. Designed with community input, this structure will provide classroom space, a kitchen, and additional areas to support the park's growing range of programs and services.