Top 5 stories to watch for in NW Philly

Here’s a look at what’s to come:

1. The playground at McDevitt Recreation Center in East Falls is undergoing an overdue overhaul thanks to funding secured through the office of Fourth District City Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. It’s the second of three phases that neighbors hope will make the center a more inviting and better utilized community asset. Check back next week to learn more.

2. Tuesday is Election Day, but with no marquee races to speak of, voter turnout is expected to be extremely low. We’ll check in with a polling place or two in Northwest Philadelphia to see if those predictions were accurate and, if so, what poll workers have to say about them. Check back next week for more details.

3. The large wood carving in Lenny Bazemore’s new Manayunk gallery is hard to miss as you stroll down Main Street. The piece, which depicts the neighborhood’s namesake, iconic bridge, is only hanging, though, thanks to Bazemore’s artistic eye and quick thinking. Check back next week for more details.

4. The Eighth Councilmatic District is one of the city’s most diverse when it comes to income levels and crime. Concerns about safety, though, are a constant. On Monday, City Councilwoman Cindy Bass will meet with residents for a meeting centered on that subject. She’ll be joined by officers with the Philadelphia Police Department and representatives from the District Attorney’s Office. Check back next week to learn more.

5. A section of train trestle that sits above Mt. Pleasant Street now features a double-sided mural that pedestrians and drivers can enjoy. It’ll be officially revealed next week. We’ll have a story about how the design was affixed to the bridge. Check back next week for more details.