The Beginnings:

North Star Park has been decades in the making, and it’s not done yet. The East Parkside Residents Association (EPRA) led the effort and galvanized the community to create this space for all of us. Ms. Callalilly Cousar (President), along with neighbors Ms. Bertha Cranshall (Fundraiser), Ms. Dorothy Ferguson (Secretary), Ms. Dorothy Crawford (Vice President), Mr. Alexander McFadden, Mr. Harvin Thurmrin, Mr. Ronald Coleman and others formed the East Parkside Residents Association (EPRA) in 1996. Their participation with The Parkside Historic Association and Mr. James and Ms. Charlotte Brown, builders of the Parkside Avenue Mansions, opened up the opportunity to acquire some of the land on 41st Street between Cambridge Street and Poplar Street after the removal of severely dilapidated buildings (through their advocacy). Neighborhood children would play in this new lot once the buildings were removed, and community members wanted a safe play space for children in the neighborhood. In 2002 Mr. Harvin Thurman wrote a decisive grant to Kaboom playground equipment company. The EPRA team was awarded the grant for a new playground installation, and in partnership with Councilwoman Janie Blackwell, Home Depot, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, First African Presbyterian (now New River), Christ Community Church, Calvary Chapel, Heavenly Hall, Ms. Maggie Gathers, Ms. Movita Harrell, and many other neighbors, the playground was built! Later on, the beautiful mural was created in partnership with Mural Arts Program and Kathy Harris.

North Star Park became a community hub, a place for children and families, a space for community events, family reunions, flea markets, block parties, and much more. The summer lunch program has been running for over 25 years, and has had its home in the park for many years. Marvin the Artist became a fixture at the park engaging neighborhood youth in art projects and celebrations at the park. In 2019, Marvin the Artist partnered with neighbor Brian Jordan to plant herbs in the benches around the playground, and in May of 2020 they worked together with Mr. Craig, Jenny Chen and many other neighbors to plant a fig tree, grape vine, juneberry tree, and build raised garden beds for raspberries and strawberries. That planting has continued to this day.

In 2024, with support of William Penn Foundation, Playful Learning Landscapes partnered with Drexel University and Watchdog to create a playful learning course for design students. The East Parkside community was selected to work with the students to co-create playful learning installations to be located in their neighborhood. Centennial Parkside CDC and East Parkside Residents Association worked to engage the broader community and support the two-year effort. During that time, two classes of Drexel students collaborated with community members to select sites and co-create the designs. The installations have been a significant addition to the park, and have come with fence repairs, sidewalk repairs and much more.