The Philadelphia Water Department will debut a new virtual “walking tour” showcasing major green upgrades planned for the Cobbs Creek Parkway during an open house event at the Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library.

Cobbs Creek residents and the public are invited to explore the new web-based tour with a presentation that will walk participants through a series of green stormwater systems coming to the creek-side parkway. More than a dozen new green features will soak up millions of gallons of stormwater over the course of a year, protecting the Cobbs and Delaware River from runoff pollution.

The planned investments are a part of Philadelphia’s nationally renowned Green City, Clean Waters program, which uses landscaped green tools to improve neighborhoods and protect local waterways from stormwater pollution.

The event will also introduce an oral history project conducted by PWD’s Public Engagement team through efforts designed to document the connections area residents have with the Darby-Cobbs Watershed, one of Philadelphia’s seven major watersheds. Residents and others with ties to the watershed recorded their stories during extensive interviews, giving insights into historic and current perceptions of this important West Philadelphia waterway.

Watershed Stewards PHL, a group of local high school students working with PWD and the Land Health Institute this summer to protect the Cobbs, will also be on hand to talk about their work so far.

Held in conjunction with the Cobbs Creek Neighbors Association, the open house will include refreshments for guests. Please RVSP so we can save on food waste! http://bit.ly/2eIc3D9

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For more info contact Dan Schupsky at Daniel.Schupsky@phila.gov or 215.683.3405

Learn more about the Green City, Clean Waters green infrastructure program at www.Phillywatersheds.org