A wonderful opportunity exists to completely rethink the building and vast property at Ellwood Elementary School, located at N. 13th St. and Oak Lane, in Historic East Oak Lane. This large 'hotspot' in our community currently hosts a vast, empty, paved "playground" for the children. It is uninspiring, not safe, and very unsightly for the immediate neighbors, the larger community, as well as for the children and teachers who attend Ellwood. In its current state, it does not reflect the rich and wonderful history and traditions of this community to respect trees, nature, and horticulture.

Ellwood Elementary is known as the first public school in Philadelphia, originally called 'Milestown School' when it was founded by the community in 1761.* The property has contained four structures throughout its history- the most famous one being the 'Armitage Octagonal Schoolhouse' which was here from 1816-1875. Whatever the structure of the schoolhouse, trees and nature were always interwoven into the property and into the educational experience for the children. When the large current structure was built in the 1970's(?), the trees and greenery were uprooted and paved over with asphalt. Once a vibrant and quality educational institution, over time the school has lost not only its natural surroundings, but its ranking as well.

The dream is to create an interactive playground with trees and greenery, and to add an octagonal shaped greenhouse for the children and teachers to grow herbs, vegetables and flowers for the school, and perhaps for the larger community. An area exists on Oak Lane that could also be opened up as a small park for the community as well- we currently do not have any internal parks in our neighborhood. This location is directly adjacent to our Public Library so this could be a very symbiotic relationship for both places.

The second component to this dream, is that Ellwood's building itself be converted into a model for renewable energy for the School District. Given the massive flat roof (that many school buildings have), solar panels could be installed, greenery could be added to the roof to better utilize rain water, and the property is large enough that a windmill could be installed on the grounds as well. Incorporating textbook learning with immediate and tactile experiences for the children would be invaluable. Given the community's involvement with the Pennsylvaia Horticultural Society, through our very active Oak Lane Tree Tenders, and our newly formed East Oak Lane Garden Tenders- this transformation of the school and property could be wonderfully self-sustaining.

Thanks for considering this request!

Kelly McShain Tyree
President
Oak Lane Community Action Association

*We are currently working with the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission to have the school recognized for its place in Philadelphia's History.