Call Number:

SCRC 670

Repository:

Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center

Extent:

1.2 linear feet (3 boxes)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Friends of Schuylkill River Park Records, SCRC 670, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Date:

1987-2004 (inclusive)

Creator:

Friends of Schuylkill River Park

Form:

Administrative records, Articles of Incorporation, Correspondence, Printed ephemera, Financial records, Minutes (administrative records), Newsletters, and Publications (documents)

Abstract:

The Friends of the Schuylkill River Park (FSRP) is a non-profit organization established by a group of Fitler Square (Philadelphia, Pa.) residents at a series of meetings in 1987 and 1988 to discuss the conditions of Schuylkill River Park and its playground. Since its founding, the Friends have sought to improve, maintain, and promote use of the park and its various recreation areas. Adele Lindenmeyr served as the first president. The Schuylkill River Park, established in 1966 and located near 25th and Spruce Streets, was also referred to as Judy Garland Park by members of the gay community, particularly in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The collection consists of board meeting minutes, correspondence, newsletters, and records of community events sponsored by the Friends of the Schuylkill River Park in conjunction with other organizations, including the Center City Residents' Association and the Fairmount Park Commission. There are programming records related to park clean-ups, youth sports leagues, a fall festival, and safety walks to assess park usage late at night. Of note are records related to policing the park, including media coverage of gay men arrested in the park because of neighbors' complaints, primarily in the summers of 1990 and 1992.