This Saturday at Barkan Park

Friends of Barkan Park Present A Playground Ribbon-Cutting & Appreciation Ceremony for Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell Saturday, April 29th 12 to 2 PM 50th & Spruce Streets Call 215 990 6254 for More info

Barkan Park has a 25 year history in West Philadelphia. The park area was once a tennis court. The park was named in honor of Ben Barkan who was the founder of the Garden Court Community Association. Ben Barkan, his wife Sylvia Barkan and the Community Association were instrumental in preventing the area from becoming a gas station. When Ben Barkan died in 1969, to recognize him for all the years of active work maintaining a unified community, it was agreed that the park should be named after him. Representative James Roebuck obtained funding for the playground in the early 90’s which replaced the fountain which had fallen into disrepair. During the fall in 1999, a group of neighbors in the Garden Court Community and other West Philadelphia neighbors, under the leadership of Carolyne and Mark Krull, took interest in the park and in March of 2000, The Friends of Barkan Park was founded, having Sylvia Barkan as part of the membership. In the early 90’s the Tri-Block Neighbors convinced the City to construct a small playground. Today we come together to an expanded playground newly paved pathways, improved lighting, and new trees and other improvements to Barkan Park