For a city to devote an initiative towards a "Green Plan" is heartwarming. However, while the Green Plan is looking for ways to create open space, there are others in the city who are simultaneously looking for ways to eliminate it. Fox Chase Cancer Centers's proposal to expand their campus by destroying Burlhome Park is a case in point.

This land has already been willed to the citizens of Philadelplhia by a thoughtful citizen who understood the Green Plan long before his time. To that he provided a tidy endowment to fund the upkeep of the park from what I read.

The Green Plan and the Boy Scouts could never generate enough money to replace the prime city acres taken by Fox Chase. Once that green is bulldozed and replaced with concrete, it can never be reversed. The violation of fiduciary duty on the part of the city is appalling. The fact that it is even on the table is distressing and the fact that it has not gotten more public pubicity should concern everyone who cares about that park and others.

I'm not sure I even understand the legality of breaking such a will, nor have I been able to find the outcome of this case. It is like reverse eminent domain--the private taking of public land for private good, not the other way around! It's setting a poor precedent that should scare everyone who enjoys property ownership in Pennsylvania.

The Green Plan ought to include in its funding an earmark for litigation to defend the Green Spaces the city already enjoys so it doesn't need to fundraise to continuously go out looking for blighted areas to improve, which is far more expensive than the upkeep of existing green.

If any area of this city should be studied for saving open space, it is Burholme Park. This park is about to be destroyed by the expansion plans of the Fox Chase Cancer Center who over the course of 20 years will bring their campus which is basically hidden from view from Cottman ave all the way to Cottman avenue. This park has a great tree cover and also wetlands and all kinds of wildlife. I played in this park as a kid and it disgusts me that elected leaders and so called community leaders sold out Burholme and Fox Chase for the almighty dollar. Lets honor the will of the Ryerss Family AND KEEP THIS A PARK FOR ALL PHILADELPHIANS TO ENJOY FOREVER

There is an empty lot, the continuation of Borbeck Ave. west of Algon Ave., extending between 2 apartment buildings as far back as the power lines that run north-south between Dorcas and Pennway Sts.

It would make an excellent tot lot for small children and park area for adults. Presently it is a weed filled lot.

How can we put it on the list for improvement?

Just south of the Hill Creek Public Housing Complex at Adams & Rising Sun Avenues are 2.8 acres of green land, under the jurisdiction of the Phila. Housing Authority. A bill by Councilwoman Marian Tasco is proposing a zoning change for these 2.8 acres from "residential" to "commercial" to enable Cardone Industries to build a parking lot for 250+ cars.
At a public hearing on November 16 in council chambers this proposal was opposed by a prominent Lawncrest resident and by Mr. Fred Maurer, vice president of FRIENDS OF TACONY CREEK PARK, by way of orderly testimony.
Another step to reduce Philadelphia's "green" is being taken. This writer is a member of FRIENDS OF TACONY CREEK PARK, a community organization that's vehemently opposed to this zoning change.