PPR Commissioner Slawson "authorized" illegal construction of turf field in FDR Park, according to ... Slawson. Great reporting from @whyynews.bsky.social

Philly Parks and Rec head says she greenlit Phillies’ unpermitted turf field for 250

A former DEP commissioner says the city did not have the authority to skirt state laws in order to make the 250th deadline.

whyy.org

This job description has a lot of clean. But where's the green?

Either the Phillies are lying, or someone in our city government greenlighted this violation even though the City can’t override state law — which is something that both the City and the Phillies know.

Permit? We don't need no stinking permit! That's what the Phillies seem to think. Blockbuster article in @inquirer.com on the new artificial turf at FDR Park's Ashburn Field. @phillies.bsky.social

Phillies installed artificial turf at FDR Park field without environmental permit, record shows

The field was completed in time for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in July.

inquirer.com

The @phillies.com just AstroTurfed one of the two baseball fields they maintain in FDR Park. We measured its surface temperature at 134° — over 40 degrees higher than the grass field. It was only 86° out. On hotter days, turf can go over 170°, endangering players and increasing global warming.

Testing turf temps at Ashburn Field, FDR Park

YouTube video by Save the Meadows

youtube.com

🌳 ARBORLOGUES 🌳 is coming to Philly! On Sat July 18 & Sun July 19 only. It's a theatrical experience like no other — don't miss it! More info: docs.google.com/document/d/1... Reserve your time slot now: www.eventbrite.com/e/arborlogue...

The kids will surely be thanking the Phillies for replacing the natural grass at the Richie Ashburn fields in FDR with this burning hot, PFAS-laden toxic turf. What in the world are the @phillies.com thinking? More in this letter to the Inquirer: www.inquirer.com/opinion/lett...

Phila. City Council authorized the city to hand over public property in FDR Park to a private organization — asking nothing in return. This letter in the Inquirer points out the folly. www.inquirer.com/opinion/lett...

It's sad to see Major League Baseball spend millions on toxic turf in FDR Park. Just like Phila Parks & Rec, which plans to put over 30 acres of turf in the FDR Meadows, the MLB could fix up neglected grass fields in underserved parts of the city — instead of exposing kids to PFAS. @phillies.com

North Philly coaches feel overlooked by MLB’s decision to not invest in their baseball programs

MLB will renovate Ashburn Field in FDR Park, among other initiatives, through funding from the All-Star Legacy program, which benefits host cities of the annual showcase.

inquirer.com

The Pa. House has passed legislation banning PFAS in common consumer products! Artificial turf is not included in the ban, but this is a step toward a wider ban on these toxins. Join us & @cleanh2opa.bsky.social — ask your Pa. senator to support this bill: act.cleanwater.org/page/185027/...

Fighting for PFAS Free Products!

PFAS are a group of thousands of human-made toxic chemicals used for their ability to repel dirt, water, and grease. Exposure to PFAS chemicals have been linked to serious health problems. Clean Wat...

act.cleanwater.org

It's World Environment Day! Come on out to FDR Park for a casual picnic and get-together with Meadows defenders. Kind of a pot-luck if you feel like bringing something. Sign up at actionnetwork.org/events/happy... or just stop by!

Happy Hour and Picnic

Come on out to FDR Park to meet and relax with your fellow Meadows defenders at a casual potluck and community hang-out near the entrance to the Meadows. Bring something to eat or drink to share, if...

actionnetwork.org

On Thursday, Phila Council votes on a sweetheart deal to hand over part of FDR Park for up to 26 years with no requirement for any public use. Tell Council: STOP PRIVATIZING OUR PARKS docs.google.com/document/d/1... @cmthomasphl.bsky.social @kendraphlcouncil.bsky.social @ruephilacouncil.bsky.social

The state of Pennsylvania values meadows so much. It will help you grow a "pocket meadow"! Free version: archive.ph/7FCZW Meanwhile it's helping Philadelphia destroy almost 100 acres of meadows in FDR Park. drive.google.com/file/d/1-cSJ...

Cut back on mowing your lawn and grow a ‘pocket meadow’ with a free kit from Pa.

To encourage “meadowscaping,” or “rewilding,” Pennsylvania this week is giving away seed mixes that cover 1,000 square feet. Unlike lawns, meadows don't require regular mowing or watering.

inquirer.com

Thursday April 23 6–8pm: Join our ally Clean Water Action for a post–Earth Day happy hour at the Evil Genius taproom in Fishtown @cleanh2opa.bsky.social

Evil Beer Does Good...For The Planet. Join us for Happy Hour in Philadelphia!

Raise a glass to protecting the planet by joining Clean Water Action and Evil Genius Beer Co. for happy hour event at their taproom in Fishtown. Evil Genius Beer Co. is donating $1 for every beer sold...

act.cleanwater.org

Greener? Maybe greenwashing. Bulldozing mature tree canopy and filling wetlands to put in toxic artificial turf is not ecological restoration. Phila. Parks & Rec and the Fairmount Park Conservancy honor Earth Day by celebrating ecocide. www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...

Earth Day and the promise of a greener Philadelphia | Opinion

In our city, progress in the fight against pollution and environmental degradation lives in the parks, waterways, and public spaces that shape daily life for millions of residents.

inquirer.com

The Fight For FDR — April's cover story in Grid Philly magazine! "Despite the odds, park advocates continue their efforts to save the meadows" gridphilly.com/blog-home/2026/04/04/south-phillys-fdr-park-renovation-proceeds-as-lawsuit-challenges-its-legality/

Today at 1pm, Philadelphia Parks & Rec testifies on its budget for FY2027, in City Hall 400. Another dept is also testifying, but it looks like Parks goes first. Last year Commissioner Sue Slawson told Council the FDR Park Plan was "funded completely" (see video). Not true then, not true now.

Committee of Whole: Budget Hearing 04-16-25 Morning

YouTube video by Philadelphia City Council

youtu.be

A setback for the South Philly neighbors suing to stop the FDR Park Plan and save the Meadows. Orphans Court Judge Woods-Skipper denies them a preliminary injunction. But they're not giving up — they're taking it to Commonwealth Court. More at docs.google.com/document/d/1...

6:30pm Fri at Headhouse Books: The Problem with Plastic An evening with author Judith Enck & @whyy.org's Susan Phillips RSVP: headhousebooks.com/event/2026-0... @judithenck.bsky.social @beyondplastics.bsky.social

A parent of a young South Philly athlete started a petition to stop the city from installing more toxic artificial turf fields, like the one at Murphy Rec. If you or your child plays sports in Philadelphia, take a moment to sign. Your park could be next. bit.ly/choosegrassnotplastic

Sign the Petition

Choose Grass, Not Plastic. Choose safe, healthy playing fields for Philly kids.

bit.ly

FDR Park Meadows Walk - Sun Feb 22 10am-noon Join us for a lovely stroll through 100 acres of urban forest and meadow west of Shedbrook Creek, and learn how you can help protect South Philly's last natural area. Details & RSVP: bit.ly/meadowswalk222

Who's up for another round? 🌳 Meadows defenders 🌳, that's who! Join us in Phila. City Hall courtroom 425 on Tues or Wed. Come early, come late, come whenever — it's all good! Details: docs.google.com/document/d/14JtEZish1L1yyAxSnI5Lbk-Z2JqamcXBNNBE2ReCoBM/

South Philly residents’ lawsuit against FDR Park renovations moves forward

After a three-day hearing, a judge disagreed with the city that the residents waited too long to sue. The residents want the judge to halt renovations.

whyy.org

A lawsuit filed by 11 South Philadelphia residents aiming to stop renovation work at FDR Park will move forward, after a judge on Friday overruled the city’s argument that the plaintiffs waited too long to take legal action. — from @whyynews.bsky.social

South Philly residents’ lawsuit against FDR Park renovations moves forward

After a three-day hearing, a judge disagreed with the city that the residents waited too long to sue. The residents want the judge to halt renovations.

whyy.org

The decree is in on the FDR Park Plan lawsuit! The plaintiffs won on all points. All the City's objections were overruled. drive.google.com/file/d/16dpqROhUa7XNsCM-uJ4q5hyAgLhMzjLX/

Show up for the FDR Meadows! In court this week, in Philadelphia City Hall. Stop on by! Info: docs.google.com/document/d/1rdRoZlUlcI-oFG6dlsyOZs6ANA76q_WMTgMuKmmCMYE/

TODAY: Take 2 minutes to tell the state of Pa. to stop the needless destruction of green space in FDR Park by the city & Fairmount Park Conservancy. Why and how: 📞 Gov Josh Shapiro (all PA) savethemeadows.com/call-governor-shapiro 📞 Pa. Sen. Nikil Saval (Dist 1) savethemeadows.com/call-senator-saval

⚡️ PHONE ZAP ⚡️ Today & Thursday! Take 2 minutes to tell the state of PA to stop the needless destruction of green space in South Philly by the city and Fairmount Park Conservancy. ☎️ Gov Josh Shapiro savethemeadows.com/call-governor-shapiro ☎️ Pa. Sen. Nikil Saval savethemeadows.com/call-senator-saval

On Monday Jan 5, the City of Phila & Fairmount Park Conservancy will ask the court to dismiss the lawsuit to save FDR Park. bit.ly/stmlegalfund ‼️ Come to the hearing — show that this matters to our communities — stop the destruction of our park! 🏞️ Where, when: www.instagram.com/p/DTEARUFDw2n/

❄️ Suddenly it's a winter wonderland in Philly! ❄️ Get your boots on this Saturday and join Save The Meadows for a walk through 100 acres of meadows and woodlands in FDR Park. We have some exciting new updates for you — and hot cocoa too! Details and RSVP: bit.ly/meadowswalk1220

What's happening in the FDR Meadows? ​Walk with us and find out!

Join us on Saturday, December 20, for the year's final walk through 100 acres of vibrant meadows and peaceful woodlands in FDR Park, as shown on CBS3 News, guided by organizers from Save The Meadows. ...

actionnetwork.org

Please join our ally @cleanaircouncil.bsky.social in supporting @councilmemberjg.bsky.social's “Stop Trashing Our Air” Act to improve air quality by stopping trash incineration. Sign at cleanaircouncil.salsalabs.org/stoptrashing and come to Council’s public hearing 1pm Mon Nov 17. Info below.

Clean Air Council@cleanaircouncil.bsky.social · 10mo ago

@councilmemberjg.bsky.social has introduced an amendment proposing to send all of Philly's trash to landfills rather than to the Covanata Incinerator, where trash is burned. More info in the graphics about the amendment, health impacts of burning trash, and ways to support.