Pop-up retail is a trend that doesn't seem to be losing any steam whatsoever, but recently, in a formerly vacant lot at the corner of 20th and Market streets, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (
PHS) unveiled a temporary pop-up concept of its own: PHS is referring to it as a pop-up garden, and although it was a year in the making, the garden is already slated to close with a celebration on October 24, which is also this year's
National Food Day.
Thanks to the enthusiasm of partners like the
William Penn Foundation and Independence Blue Cross, the 32,000-square-foot garden has become an example of the reuse of urban green space at its finest. PHS hopes the garden will raise awareness of its
City Harvest program, which grows fresh produce for neighborhoods that don't have much access to fresh vegetables, as Alan Jaffe of the PHS puts it.
In addition to providing locals with a serene environment in which to enjoy a quiet respite from city life, the new garden offers workshops on topics ranging from organic pest control to container gardening, as well as scientific programming by the
Franklin Institute, outdoor fitness classes, and more. Visitors to the temporary garden will also have a final chance to experience "
�colibrium,"
Temple University-Ambler's sustainable building and gardening exhibit that was created for the Philadelphia International Flower Show.
What's more, PHS has big plans for all those veggies grown in the new garden: They've partnered with six well-known local chefs of popular nearby restaurants, who are "going to be getting the vegetables and herbs from the garden and creating signature dishes with them," says Jaffe. Proceeds from those dishes will benefit the City Harvest program.
Open to visitors every Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 2 p.m., a complete listing of all pop-up garden happenings is available online.
Source: Alan Jaffe, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Writer: Dan Eldridge
Do you know of a new building going up, a business expanding or being renovated, a park in the works or even a cool new house being built in the neighborhood? Please send your Development News tips here.