Parks were a big topic of discussion at last week’s Northwood Civic Association meeting.
The Friends of Northwood Park has been meeting regularly to talk about events and improvements for the park.
Various parks in the Northeast and throughout the city have nonprofit friends groups, which partner with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and the Fairmount Park Conservancy to discuss ways to better a particular park.
“We have a good park, and there’s a lot we could with it,” said civic board member Mari Carrasquillo, who is involved with the group.
Northwood Park, 4700 Northwood St., will host the neighborhood’s first fall festival on Saturday, Oct. 26, from noon to 6 p.m.
Carrasquillo said the event will include a “trunk or treat,” free pumpkins, at least 20 vendors, a disc jockey, a Michael Jackson impersonator and four food trucks. A prize will be awarded to the person with the best decorated trunk.
“It’s going to be nice,” she said. “I’m doing it for us to kind of get together, get out of the house, not be cooped up.”
The Friends of Northwood Park’s next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. at Simpson Recreation Center, 1010 Arrott St.
Residents at the meeting also discussed the possibility of setting up a dog park in the neighborhood.
Two potential locations have been identified — a triangle-shaped lot near the former McDonald’s restaurant at Oxford Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard and a spot adjacent to Northwood Park.
Northwood Civic President Joe Krause said starting a dog park is a long process, and the community will need a dedicated group of volunteers to get the job done.
In other news, the civic association will hold its annual election at next month’s meeting, to be held Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at Simpson.
Several people were nominated to the board at the Oct. 15 meeting, and, rare for Northeast civics, there will be a contested race for president. Carrasquillo was nominated to take on Krause, who had led the group for several years.
All members hoping to vote on Nov. 19 must have paid their yearly dues. ••
Jack Tomczuk can be reached at jtomczuk@newspapermediagroup.com.
