Parkwood, Philadelphia
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2012) |
Parkwood | |
|---|---|
 Mechanicsville School in Parkwood, October 2010 | |
  Parkwood | |
| Coordinates: 40°06′07″N 74°57′58″W / 40.102°N 74.966°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia County |
| City | Philadelphia |
| Area code(s) | 215, 267 and 445 |
Parkwood is a
History
Before the first permanent European settlement of the area in the 17th century,
In 1645,
As the small village of Byberry began to grow, the first "Free School" opened in 1802.[citation needed] These buildings were reconstructed in the 19th century and remain today.[citation needed] Byberry Hall (1846) built by Robert Purvis, a free man of color, served as a meeting place for abolitionists. Lucretia Mott spoke here.[citation needed] Because this area was mostly farmland, these buildings created the "town center" of this community.
Just on the other side of the Poquessing Creek, Red Lion Inn, located along the historically important road Bristol Pike, opened in 1730.[citation needed] It was here that George Washington and the Massachusetts delegation reportedly stopped before attending the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.[citation needed] The Poquessing Creek area was developed with several mills in the late 18th and 19th centuries.[citation needed] Though none of the structures of the Knight's Mill, (1750), Townsend Mill, (1767) and the Carter Mill (1838) remain standing, there are intact stone arch bridges representing the historic period along the Poquessing Creek.
By the late 18th century, as the Byberry Township village grew the Lenni-Lenape moved out from this area. The Native American culture was acutely observed and recorded by two of Philadelphia's most significant forefathers, Henry Armstead Snyder and
By 1854, the City of Philadelphia annexed Byberry Township and in the late 19th century, Byberry Hospital was built. The hospital became the Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry in 1906. When the hospital finally closed in the 1990s, its site to the east of Roosevelt Boulevard was divided into two major sections for use as an industrial park and the Benjamin Rush State Park.[citation needed]
During the late 1950s the majority of the housing was built by the
The
Population
The population in Parkwood was 14,778 in the
| Demographics (2022) | Parkwood | City |
|---|---|---|
| White | 76% | 44.8% |
| Under 18 | 24% | 22% |
| 65 years + | 14% | 14% |
| Population in poverty | 11% | 19.4% |
| Median family income | $65,449 | $49,127 |
| High School graduate | 89% | 85% |
| Bachelor's degree/higher ed | 22% | 31.2% |
| Unemployment rate | 05% | 11% |
| Cars per household | 1.7 | 0.9 |
| Occupied housing units | 97% | 89% |
| Owner occupied housing | 74% | 53% |
Land Use
Parkwood's land use achieves a balanced mix of residential, recreational, institutional, commercial and industrial land use. To the east of Roosevelt Boulevard, industrial and
business uses occupy approximately 112 acres (0.45 km2) within Byberry Industrial Park. Just north of Byberry Industrial Park, approximately 280 acres (1.1 km2) of land zoned recreational for Benjamin Rush State Park. Large tracts of open space border the creek, with tributaries meandering into the neighborhood creating grass lined drainage swales that weave through residential developments. The neighborhood commercial center is located at the intersection of Academy and Byberry Road, to the west of Knights Road. Philadelphia Mills Mall, a regional commercial attraction, sits alongside the Poquessing Creek near Interstate 95.
Residential
Parkwood is predominantly residential and its housing is stable and attractive. Housing densities range from apartments, condominiums, and row homes to single family detached. For the most part, Parkwood's housing remains well maintained, though some homes in Parkwood could use cosmetic maintenance or some basic repairs. Vacant housing is virtually non-existent. The
Commercial
The Philadelphia Mills Mall, a regional shopping center with over 2,500,000 square feet (230,000 m2) of rentable floor space developed in the 1980s, is located on the eastern side of the neighborhood. There are numerous chain restaurants, a sporting goods store, and grocery stores, among other "mega-stores" within this expansive retail outlet mall. Almost unlimited shopping opportunities are available. According to the Philadelphia Planning Commissions PhilaShops study, the mall's stage of development is currently stable.
Parkwood benefits from the convenience of having its own neighborhood shopping center at Academy and Byberry Roads. However, according to the PhilaShops data, this commercial center, built in the 1960s, experienced an increase in vacancy by almost 17 percent over the eight-year time span prior to 2003. Several years ago, this shopping center underwent façade improvements to create a more uniform appearance. More extensive improvements have also been constructed at the Parkwood Shopping Center, including the addition of a new anchor store.
Industrial
Another asset for the Parkwood community is Byberry Industrial Park, where more than 50 employers are located. The businesses here employ about 5,000 people in the region. In fact, Byberry East Industrial Park is home to some of Philadelphia's largest employers including
Open space, parks and recreation
Parkwood offers a wide array of enjoyable open space opportunities. Small creek areas and swales transverse the neighborhood and create connections for people who walk their dogs, exercise, or simply wish to enjoy the natural atmosphere of their neighborhood.
Community facilities
Parkwood's community facilities provide space for different organizations and groups to meet. These facilities are important because they help strengthen community ties.
Notable people
- Martina White, state representative
References
- ^ "ELibrary Redirect - DEP eLibrary" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 2, 2014.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.