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Heart of Kensington Map

Just Published!

Heart of Kensington Community Resource Guide (pdf)

Heart of Kensington

The People, the Place, the Projects

The 30,075 residents of the square mile area comprising the Heart of Kensington differ in many ways, but have much in common. Above all, they want to live in a safer, more stable neighborhood. Helping to create this safer neighborhood is the primary goal of the Heart of Kensington Neighborhood Development Plan.

Inspired by the work of Dr. Felton Earls, much of Impact’s work in the HOK aims to engage new residents and build stronger relations between neighbors and area stakeholders. The area’s parks have been important focal points for cleanups, community celebrations, an arts camp, and new community entertainment. Efforts to improve vacant land are another focus of community engagement activity.

Besides these community-building efforts, demolishing dangerous vacant houses, improving employment prospects for residents, and increasing recreational opportunities for youth are other parts of the comprehensive plan to make the neighborhood safer.

Much of Impact’s Housing effort aims to increase the stock of affordable homes and quality rental housing in the target area. Senior housing projects are being developed to provide older residents the opportunity to move into a safe, more manageable home while retaining their ties to the community.  Plan implementation was launched with the demolition of 75 dangerous vacant houses, which initiated the area’s housing development effort, made the neighborhood feel safer, and is providing space for community projects while housing projects organize needed funding and design work.

Impact’s work with the Kensington and Allegheny Business Association (KABA) figures prominently in efforts to revitalize the area’s commercial corridor, starting with “first block” around the highly trafficked transportation hub. In addition to services provided to businesses, KABA figures prominently in the both the design and implementation of the area’s Commercial Corridor improvements.

The 40X47' “Heart of Kensington” mural, designed by artist Ann Northrup for the Kensington and Allegheny crossroads is the first of the community’s “place-making” projects. The first piece of public art to ever grace the area, it initiates the move to engage the talent and energy of residents in creating “a neighborhood that is vibrant, and distinctive…a place people are happy to call home and which businesses seek to serve”. “Art in the Heart” is expected to be a recurring theme in organizing and revitalization efforts for this emerging community.

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MARKETFEST
a Success!

For the eighth year in a row the K&A Marketfest proved once again that it is becoming one of Philly's premier neighborhood events.

View our SlideShow
of the event here!