Because COVID-19 has limited our ability to enjoy the outdoor environment and public space, it is critical that community-oriented organizations take advantage of digital tools and try out new ways to engage and connect to community members. As part of POP’s ongoing efforts to create more online materials that not only are more accessible but also help to promote our partners, we would like to introduce a new series of walking tours of POP orchards, orchard partners, and other historical/cultural sites of significance in different neighborhoods around the city of Philadelphia. 

Since 2007, POP has been planting community orchards across Philadelphia. POP has now planted 50 orchards, and works with 65 city orchard partner sites. These virtual tours highlight the different types of urban orchards and gardens, connecting their current development with historical and ongoing social and economic incidents and trends in the surrounding neighborhoods. The series of virtual tours and maps start with Strawberry Mansion Route as we explore East Fairmount Park and the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood.

Link to Storymap of Strawberry Mansion Route: https://arcg.is/KG8D9

Link to Map of Strawberry Mansion Route:  https://arcg.is/4qvuf

The development of these maps started with the inspirational digital tour of the edible landscape of The Woodlands and continued with the joint effort of POP’s staff members and partners. With the acknowledgment that many of our partner sites are temporarily closed to the public and may be experiencing immense difficulties at this critical time, there is still a lot to see and learn. We hope this virtual experience will connect the wider community and bring positivity to your day.

This POP Blog Post was written by POP Outreach & Communications Intern Ngoc Pham.

SUPPORT US!  If you found this entry useful, informative, or inspiring, please consider a donation of any size to help POP in planting and supporting community orchards in Philadelphia: phillyorchards.org/donate.