Community garden sparks revival at Sharswood’s Peace Park in North Philly

Neighbors and volunteers gathered Saturday for a celebration of urban farming and community renewal during Sharswood’s first Urban County Fair.

On the 2400 block of North Bolton Street in North Philadelphia, the community of Sharswood came together hoping to make a difference in their neighborhood.

In a unique answer to closing schools and widespread unhealthy eating habits, members of the neighborhood have come together to create Peace Park, an autonomous, community-run space featuring a vegetable garden, meadows, and an “earthship schoolhouse” crafted from tires, concrete, and wood.

Children and adults are welcome to pick fresh fruits and vegetables from the gardens and take classes on how to grow their own produce.

The once-vacant lot where Peace Park is currently located was originally a trash dump, and most of the surrounding houses remain empty.

However, it was made to create a safe haven were children can learn about the environment and also work together to create a better community that they can all be proud of, said Brother Tommy Joshua, one of the Peace Parks organizers.