Noted in the Northwest

A brief look at news in Chestnut Hill and surrounding neighborhoods

A Meeting on Water Tower proposal next week

A community meeting to discuss the Chestnut Hill Community Association’s proposal to assume operation of the Water Tower Recreation Center and raise money to finance capital improvements will be held Monday, July 18 at 7 p.m. at the Water Tower, Hartwell Lane and Ardleigh Street.

The meeting’s purpose is to discuss the following with neighbors and users: likes, dislikes, and what should be done to improve the facility and its programs.

While all users in and around Chestnut Hill are invited, a special letter and survey is being delivered to the adjacent residents.

Those with questions should call the CHCA at 215-248-8810.

Grant for Cresheim Trail announced

The Chestnut Hill Rotary Club has received $20,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the completion of a feasibility study for the proposed Cresheim Trail.

The trail, which would connect the Valley Green section of Fairmount Park with Springfield, Cheltenham and Whitemarsh townships via an abandoned rail grade running alongside Cresheim Creek, is part of a comprehensive plan for improving the “gateway” area between Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy being pursued by the Rotary Club, Mt. Airy USA and other local groups.

At an event held last month at the Chestnut Hill pergola, Bob Thomas of the Philadelphia Parks Alliance announced that $20,000 had been raised through local sources as a prerequisite to receiving matching funds from the state. The DCNR grants were announced June 22.

Statewide, the grants include 61 conservation projects affecting rivers, trails, and natural areas in 39 Pennsylvania counties. These include the conversion of 13 abandoned railroads to rail trails and the planning of more than 60 miles of new trails across the state.

“An Early View of a New Rail Trail,” a tour led by Thomas, will be held along a portion of Cresheim Trail between Cheltenham and Germantown avenues on Thursday, July 14 from 5:15 to 7 p.m., followed by an optional dinner at the Trolley Car Diner. Call the Philadelphia Parks Alliance at 215-879-8159 for more information.

Recyclebank goes ‘global’

RecycleBank, the company founded by two area natives that launched its coupons-for-recycling program in Chestnut Hill in January, was selected as the official recycling provider for last weekend’s Live 8 concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. RecycleBank provided marked recycling containers and arranged for collection and disposal of recyclable materials, according to a company press release.

“It is an extraordinary global event, and as local company, RecycleBank is proud to help Philadelphia host guests from all over the world and demonstrate that Philadelphia can be a model environmental community,” said RecycleBank co-founder and president Patrick FitzGerald, who grew up in Jenkintown.

RecycleBank, which claims to have tripled recycling rates in parts of Chestnut Hill, plans to expand to the Philadelphia suburbs, southeastern New Jersey, and northern Delaware in September.

— James Sturdivant