2017- Capital Project- Irrigation/Sprinkler System

Dear Supporter,

I hope this finds you well and that your summer is off to an enjoyable start!  In 2006, we began work to transform a nondescript vacant lot into a formally recognized park with the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Since its completion in 2013, the Park remains a beautiful, safe and peaceful area for friends and neighbors to gather. 

While our mural was removed last summer, we remember Julian Abele as a Philadelphia native and the first African-American to graduate from Penn’s School of Architecture.  A world-renowned architect, he designed the famous chapel at Duke University and much of our own Philadelphia Museum of Art. He was also a long-term resident of our neighborhood, and raised his family here. Our park bears his name for all these reasons and designed to be a gathering place for the diverse Graduate Hospital community.  Whether we come together to enjoy concerts, movie nights or family occasions, this peaceful urban green space is a unique and important place in our Graduate Hospital neighborhood.

The Park is maintained by a group of dedicated volunteers who produce the Summer Concert Series and organize the many social and upkeep events throughout the year.  Since the Park was renovated in 2013, there have been no major capital improvements other than the installation of the bike racks last summer.  Now, the Friends launch a fundraising campaign to raise $8,000 to install a sprinkler system that will keep the lawn healthy all summer to withstand the myriad activities that wear the grass, as well as to keep up appearances.  The City of Philadelphia has agreed to maintain the sprinkler system, we just need to get it installed. 

As a neighbor and friend of Julian Abele Park, your generous gift in any amount will not only help us complete this work, but will also help secure the continued vitality of our neighborhood.  The Friends of Julian Abele Park is a registered 501(c)3 and you will receive an acknowledgement for your tax purposes.  All donations are tax deductible.  To support our work, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/JAsprinklers.  For more information and updates on the Park, please visit us at www.JulianAbelePark.org and we also encourage you to “Like” us on Facebook www.facebook.com/fojab.  The Friends of Julian Abele Park meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7PM.  All are welcome to attend the meetings that occur in the Park during the summer months and at SOSNA’s office at 19^th and Christian the rest of the year. 

Thank you in advance for your very kind consideration. If you have any questions regarding your potential support or any other Park-related matter, I am always happy to speak with you directly.

Gratefully,

Cliff Eyler, President

Friends of Julian Abele Park