Mayfair park to reopen,
thanks to civic group

The Mayfair Civic Association is coming to the rescue of a small park recently closed for safety reasons.
The School District of Philadelphia shut down Mayfair Memorial Park, located at Rowland Avenue and Vista Street on the grounds of Abraham Lincoln High School, on April 30 because the equipment was worn and posed a danger.
At last week’s civic association meeting, president Scott Cummings said the group would raise money to purchase new equipment and maintain the property. He estimates that the cost will range from $50,000 to $75,000.
The school district has agreed to install the equipment and assume the liability.
The park was closed following a parent’s complaint that her toddler daughter was injured in a fall.
The civic association plans to raise money by, among other things, selling bricks with the owners’ names on them. The bricks will be placed in a walkway leading into the park.
The association will consider renaming the park in honor of an individual who makes an especially generous contribution.
The group will also make sure that the new park is accessible to disabled children. The park will be locked at night.
The civic association and the Mayfair Community Development Corporation will hold a special meeting on the playground issue on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the John M. Perzel Community Center, at 2990 St. Vincent St. More information is available by contacting Joe DeFelice at 215-292-3926 or josephjdefelice@yahoo.com
In other news from the meeting:
• Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey will hold a town hall meeting on Thursday, July 24, at 7 p.m. at the Perzel Community Center.
Ramsey is holding meetings in each of the city’s six police divisions, as he did in January after taking the job. The earlier meeting was at Lincoln.
The July 24 meeting is open to residents of the 2nd, 7th, 8th and 15th police districts.
• The Mayfair Business Association was happy with its first Mayfair May Fair, which took place along Frankford Avenue on May 17. The day included sales and various activities.
Mike Scotese, owner of the Grey Lodge Pub and president of the business association, announced that the second fair would take place on Saturday, May 16, 2009.
More information is available at mayfairbiz.com
• The Mayfair Civic Association will meet on Monday, Aug. 25, at 8 p.m. at the Perzel Community Center. ••