North Star Park and Garden
Play, Gather, Grow & Learn TOGETHER
About Northstar Park:
Established in 2002 by the East Parkside Residents Association (EPRA), Northstar Park is a community-initiated and community-led space, stewarded by neighborhood residents. Northstar Park has long served as a hub for recreation, neighborhood gatherings, the summer meal program, and gardening. Through partnerships with EPRA, numerous neighbors, Centennial Parkside Community Development Corporation (CPCDC), Watchdog, Drexel University, Playful Learning, The William Penn Foundation, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Neighborhood Gardens Trust, The Painted Bride, Readby4th, City Love, the Audubon Society, and YOU the park continues to flourish and grow.
What will your contribution to the Northstar Park legacy be?
MISSION
The Friends of North Star Park works to support, protect, and enhance the park as a welcoming destination for the East Parkside community and visitors by preserving its legacy of volunteer stewardship, providing educational and recreational opportunities, and expanding access to green space and healthy food.
VISION
We envision North Star Park as a vibrant, inclusive green space that inspires connection, curiosity, and opportunity for all. Through strong partnerships and a culture of volunteer stewardship, the park fosters deeper community engagement and social cohesion. As a hub for learning, nourishment, and shared experiences, North Star Park contributes to a healthier, more resilient, and sustainable future for the East Parkside community and beyond.
IMPACT
Friends of North Star Park cultivates a thriving, connected community that honors its history by activating and caring for a vital green space where residents and visitors gather, play, learn, and grow. Through volunteer stewardship, neighborhood storytelling, strategic partnerships, and expanded access to nature and healthy food, the organization strengthens social bonds, continues the legacy, promotes well-being, and advances environmental sustainability for all East Parkside residents.
Play, Gather, Grow & Learn TOGETHER
Re-installing swings in 2021.
Mr. Jamal and family planting cherry trees in 2020.
Ms. Cousar and Ms. Maggie Gathers with City Council President Kenyatta Johnson and Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier!
Captain C (Carlos Smith) planting beach plum bushes in 2025
Summer Meal Superheroes, Ms. Alise and Mr. Ernie in front of Playful Learning Petalscape
2025 Good Trouble Awardees
Garden Tuesdays - Planting Spring Flowers
Snow day!
2025 Fall celebration with Bluey, bounce houses, horse rides, live music and more!
Cherries and peppermint with labels made by the kiddos
Playful Learning Seedlings Bench
“Letters All Around My City” 2021 literacy music video by west Philly group City Love filmed at Northstar Park as part of Reading Promise Week in partnership with Readby4th, Reading Captains and PNC Grow Up Great.
Marvin the Artist, Jenny Chen, and Brian at the first big planting and raised bed building day, May 2020. (many volunteers came to help despite the pandemic!)
Heard it through the grapevine with those amazing organic, free grapes fresher than anything in the store
Playful Learning Installation - Star-Studded Solar-Powered Shed to house summer meal program and community supplies while teaching about the constellations!
Philly ABC’s installation in partnership with Read by 4th