Field Advocacy Petition
11/14/2025 8:30 am
Advocate for State Funding for our Field
Sign the Petition by November 14!
Time Commitment: approx. 3 minutes
The HSA is currently seeking state grant funding to support the restoration of the grounds at PAS. The space doubles as a public park.
Our state legislators are eager to hear from you as neighbors, parents, and families. Please submit the form below to add your voice to a joint letter in support of this project!
Click HERE to learn more about the Field Revitalization Project: Outdoor Space Reimagined. If you are interested in learning more or being part of the fundraising committee for this project, please log in and contact HSA Co-VP Andrew Gurwitz or grant writer Jessica Moore.
This project is urgently needed. The current schoolyard, which also serves as one of the few accessible public parks in the area, has become unsafe and inadequate. The compacted ground and ongoing stormwater runoff issues have degraded the space to the point where one-third of school nurse visits result from outdoor injuries. At the same time, the grounds are heavily used year-round by 600 Penn Alexander students, 200 children from an onsite daycare, and countless neighborhood families who live in nearby apartment buildings without access to green or recreational space.
The proposed redesign will:
- Replace unsafe compacted surfaces with a durable natural grass field.
- Install permanent play and fitness equipment to support healthy development for children of all ages.
- Add social seating areas that foster community connections.
- Address long-standing stormwater management problems, making the space safe and sustainable for years to come.
For our community, this project is about far more than play equipment—it is about equity, health, and access. In a neighborhood where many children lack safe outdoor options, this shared space is a lifeline. Improving it will reduce injuries, support student wellness, and give families a safe and welcoming place to gather.
The Penn Alexander Home and School Association, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the school and its grounds, is leading this effort in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania. With state investment, we can make this vision a reality and ensure that children and families in Southwest Philadelphia have the safe, vibrant, and inclusive public space they deserve.
