In 2024, Friends of Pastorius Park (FoPP) proudly advanced our mission of preserving and enhancing the park’s remarkable tree collection and natural beauty. This year, we made significant strides in caring for our historic legacy trees and introducing greater diversity to the park’s flora. After the loss of a venerable hemlock and an old pine earlier this summer, we planted eight new hemlocks along Roanoke and Abington streets. These iconic trees, some of the healthiest hemlocks in the Philadelphia region, are a hallmark of Pastorius Park’s unique character. Additionally, we enhanced the park’s landscape with new autumn cherry, Yellow Bird magnolia, and Lois magnolia trees.

Beyond these immediate restorations, 2024 marked the beginning of a transformative chapter for Pastorius Park’s long-term stewardship. FoPP has commissioned an updated Tree Management Plan, to be conducted by the Morris Arboretum’s Urban Forestry consulting team. This comprehensive study is a much-needed update from the last report completed nearly 15 years ago. It will leverage GIS technology to create a modernized database of the park’s trees. 

The plan will include a detailed inventory of legacy Woodward trees and the hundreds of new specimens added through our restoration efforts over recent years. Additionally, the tree management plan will provide actionable insights into tree health and maintenance needs, helping FoPP prioritize tree care based on factors such as age, condition, and environmental impact. These data-driven strategies will enable us to address potential risks, optimize resource allocation, and ensure the long-term vitality of the park’s tree collection.

A groundbreaking component of this updated study is the inclusion of an assessment of Pastorius Park’s Northeast Woods. This unique ecosystem, previously excluded from the 2010 tree study, is central to our vision for the park’s future. FoPP has launched the Paul W. Meyer Northeast Woods Restoration Project, named in honor of the esteemed former Otto Haas Executive Director of the Morris Arboretum and a trusted advisor to FoPP. This ambitious initiative aims to rehabilitate two acres of unimproved woods, addressing critical issues such as stormwater erosion and invasive species while enhancing biodiversity and natural beauty. Guided by the expertise of landscape designer Bob Gray and landscape architect Rob Fleming, this project represents the most extensive restoration effort in the park’s history.

As we look ahead to 2025, FoPP is energized by the opportunities these initiatives present. The Paul W. Meyer Northeast Woods Restoration Project and the Morris Arboretum Tree Management Plan will lay the groundwork for a vibrant and resilient future for Pastorius Park. However, these endeavors are only possible with the generous support of our community. As the year comes to a close, we invite you to join us in this vital work. Your tax-deductible gift friendsofpastorius.org/donate will help us make the Northeast Woods Project possible and ensure that Pastorius Park remains a thriving community green space. 

Thank you for your continued dedication to our shared vision for Pastorius Park.

Tracy Gardner

President, Friends of Pastorius Park