Residents at the Northwood Civic Association’s Feb. 18 meeting discussed how to approach parking problems on the 4600 block of Oakland Street.
Almost all the properties on the block are rowhouses, and there’s parking on only one side of the street. Residents have resorted to parking in their front yards or on the sidewalk, creating what neighbors say is an eyesore and a hazard.
Some homeowners have paved over their small front yard to create an extra spot.
Sloane Folks, of Seventh District Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez’s office, said the arrangement could cause water contamination and other damage. Many of the cars are parked illegally, since they don’t have a curb cut or approval from the Department of Licenses and Inspections, he added.
Quinones-Sanchez’s office has been aware of the problem for more than a year, Folks said, and is trying to get L&I and the police department to draft a pamphlet informing residents of where they are allowed to park.
“What we have is two agencies that until recently hadn’t worked together very well,” Folks said, referring to police and L&I.
Folks believes the problem has become more widespread because newer residents see others on the block park in front of their house and think it’s allowed. The plan is to follow up the pamphlet with equal enforcement, he said.
Northwood Civic President Joe Krause said he planned to attend upcoming Police Service Area meetings to encourage the 15th District to make parking issues a priority.
Other notes
Neighbors said they distributed a petition to the offices of elected officials and the Department of Streets in an attempt to have Adams Avenue resurfaced between Roosevelt Boulevard and Ramona Avenue.
The street has a big dip and is littered with potholes, residents said. Krause, who lives on Ramona Avenue, said his house shakes when buses hit the dip.
A fundraiser, “Paint-In With Chet,” will be held Saturday, March 14, at noon at Simpson Recreation Center, 1010 Arrott St. The cost is $30, and it will go toward holding a “spring fling” event for the neighborhood in May.
Gaspar Santos, of the Free Library of Philadelphia, told residents that the library system is forgiving overdue fines. The Free Library also offers an experience pass, which allows cardholders to access free tickets to museums and other cultural destinations, he said.
The Northwood Civic Association’s next scheduled meeting will be held Tuesday, March 17, at Simpson Recreation Center. ••
Jack Tomczuk can be reached at jtomczuk@newspapermediagroup.com.
