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{{Infobox Neighborhood
{{Infobox Park
| name = Norris Square
| name = Norris Square
| type = Neighborhood
| image =
| location = North Philadelphia / Kensington
| image_caption = Community gardens at Norris Square
| zip_codes = 19122
| type = Neighborhood square / Community gardens
| named_for = Norris Square park
| location = Kensington
| boundaries = Roughly Susquehanna Avenue to Berks Street, Front Street to 5th Street
| coordinates = 40.0010,-75.1340
| adjacent_neighborhoods = [[West Kensington]], [[Kensington]], [[Temple University Area]]
| area = 3 acres
| major_streets = 2nd Street, Susquehanna Avenue, Front Street
| established = 1848
| transit = Market-Frankford Line (Berks Station nearby), SEPTA buses
| operated_by = Philadelphia Parks & Recreation / Norris Square Neighborhood Project
| notable_landmarks = Norris Square Park, Norris Square Neighborhood Project
| features = Community gardens, casitas, playground, cultural programs
| hours = Dawn to dusk
| transit = SEPTA bus routes; Market-Frankford Line nearby
| website = https://www.norrissquare.org
}}
}}


'''Norris Square''' is a neighborhood in [[North Philadelphia]] / Kensington centered on Norris Square Park. The neighborhood has a significant Puerto Rican community and is known for the Norris Square Neighborhood Project, a community organization focused on urban agriculture and neighborhood improvement.
'''Norris Square''' is a 3-acre public park in the [[Kensington]] neighborhood of [[Philadelphia]], renowned for its extraordinary '''community gardens''' and cultural programming. What could be just another urban square has been transformed by the '''Norris Square Neighborhood Project''' into a vibrant community hub featuring Puerto Rican-style casitas, extensive gardens, and youth programs that have revitalized the surrounding neighborhood.<ref name="norris">{{cite web |url=https://www.norrissquare.org |title=Norris Square Neighborhood Project |publisher=Norris Square Neighborhood Project |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>


== Norris Square Park ==
Norris Square represents one of Philadelphia's most inspiring examples of community-driven park transformation.


'''Norris Square''' is the neighborhood's central park:
== History ==
* Historic public square
* Community gathering space
* Community gardens nearby
* Playground
* Event space


== Norris Square Neighborhood Project ==
=== Original Square ===


The '''Norris Square Neighborhood Project''' is a notable community organization:
Norris Square was established in '''1848''':
* Community gardens and urban farming
* One of Philadelphia's 19th-century squares
* Youth programs
* Named for Isaac Norris (colonial leader)
* Served industrial Kensington neighborhood
* Traditional urban green space
 
=== Decline ===
 
By the late 20th century:
* Neighborhood faced economic hardship
* Drug activity and abandonment
* Park underutilized and neglected
* Community at a crossroads
 
=== Community Revival ===
 
The '''Norris Square Neighborhood Project''' (founded 1973) transformed the park:
* Reclaimed space for community use
* Built gardens and casitas
* Created youth programs
* Restored pride and safety
 
== Features ==
 
=== Community Gardens ===
 
'''Las Parcelas''' and other gardens:
* Multiple themed gardens
* Vegetable growing
* Medicinal plants
* Cultural plantings
* Hands-on education
 
=== Casitas ===
 
'''Puerto Rican-style casitas''' (small houses):
* Traditional wooden structures
* Cultural gathering spaces
* Music and celebration venues
* Unique to Norris Square
 
=== Youth Programs ===
 
'''Raíces''' (Roots) and other programs:
* Youth leadership development
* Environmental education
* Environmental education
* Neighborhood beautification
* Cultural programming
* Cultural programming
* Job training
=== Playground ===
* Modern playground equipment
* Safe play space
* Family gathering area
=== Cultural Expression ===
The gardens feature:
* Murals and public art
* Cultural symbols
* Community history
* Living traditions


== History ==
== The Norris Square Neighborhood Project ==
 
'''NSNP''' has led transformation since 1973:
* Community organizing
* Garden development
* Youth development
* Cultural preservation
* Neighborhood revitalization
 
The organization's work demonstrates how community investment can transform urban spaces.
 
== Using the Park ==
 
=== Visiting the Gardens ===
 
* Gardens viewable from paths
* Respect growing areas
* Photography welcome
* Organized tours available
 
=== Community Events ===
 
* Cultural celebrations
* Garden programs
* Youth activities
* Neighborhood gatherings
 
=== Playground ===
 
* Open for public use
* Family-friendly space
 
== Visiting ==
 
=== Hours ===
 
* Dawn to dusk
* Gardens may have specific access times
* Check NSNP website for programs
 
=== Getting There ===


Norris Square was laid out as a public square in the 19th century. The surrounding neighborhood developed as part of industrial Kensington. Puerto Rican migration transformed the area's demographics in the mid-20th century.
'''Location:''' Diamond Street and Howard Street, Kensington


== Character ==
'''By Public Transit:'''
* SEPTA Bus 3, 39, 47
* Market-Frankford Line to Huntingdon Station, then walk


=== Housing ===
'''By Car:'''
* Rowhouses
* Street parking
* Mix of conditions
* Be aware of neighborhood conditions
* Some renovation occurring
* Affordable prices


=== Community ===
=== Tips ===
* Puerto Rican community
* Active neighborhood organizations
* Community gardens
* Youth programs


=== Challenges ===
* The casitas and gardens are unique—worth the visit
* Poverty
* Contact NSNP for organized tours
* Proximity to opioid crisis areas
* Support the organization's work
* Property vacancies
* Respect the community space


== Living in Norris Square ==
== Significance ==


* Affordable housing
Norris Square demonstrates:
* Strong community organizations
* Power of community organizing
* Latino community and culture
* Cultural preservation in urban settings
* Near Temple University
* Youth development through environmental work
* Neighborhood transformation through parks


== Getting There ==
== Nearby ==


* '''Market-Frankford Line:''' Berks Station
* '''[[Kensington]]''' — Surrounding neighborhood
* '''SEPTA buses:''' 3, 47
* '''[[Fairhill Square]]''' — Nearby
* Near Temple University campus
* '''[[American Street]]''' — Commercial corridor
* '''[[Fishtown]]''' — South


== See Also ==
== See Also ==


* [[West Kensington]]
* [[Kensington]]
* [[Kensington]]
* [[Temple University Area]]
* [[Community Gardens in Philadelphia]]
* [[Philadelphia Parks and Recreation]]
 
== References ==
<references />
 
== External Links ==
 
* [https://www.norrissquare.org Norris Square Neighborhood Project]


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Norris Square Philadelphia - Community Garden Neighborhood
|title=Norris Square Philadelphia - Kensington's Community Gardens & Casitas
|description=Guide to Norris Square, North Philadelphia neighborhood known for the Norris Square Neighborhood Project's community gardens and urban agriculture.
|description=Guide to Norris Square in Kensington. Community-transformed park with Puerto Rican casitas, extensive gardens, youth programs, and cultural celebrations.
|keywords=Norris Square Philadelphia, Norris Square Neighborhood Project, community gardens, North Philadelphia
|keywords=Norris Square Philadelphia, Kensington parks, Philadelphia community gardens, Puerto Rican casitas, Norris Square Neighborhood Project, Philadelphia urban gardens
|type=Article
|type=Article
}}
}}


[[Category:Neighborhoods]]
[[Category:Parks]]
[[Category:North Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Kensington]]
[[Category:Gardens]]
[[Category:Community]]

Latest revision as of 20:50, 30 December 2025

Norris Square
Type Neighborhood square / Community gardens
Location Kensington
Coordinates 40.0010,-75.1340
Area 3 acres
Established 1848
Operated by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation / Norris Square Neighborhood Project
Features Community gardens, casitas, playground, cultural programs
Hours Dawn to dusk
Transit SEPTA bus routes; Market-Frankford Line nearby
Website Official Site

Norris Square is a 3-acre public park in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, renowned for its extraordinary community gardens and cultural programming. What could be just another urban square has been transformed by the Norris Square Neighborhood Project into a vibrant community hub featuring Puerto Rican-style casitas, extensive gardens, and youth programs that have revitalized the surrounding neighborhood.[1]

Norris Square represents one of Philadelphia's most inspiring examples of community-driven park transformation.

History

[edit | edit source]

Original Square

[edit | edit source]

Norris Square was established in 1848:

  • One of Philadelphia's 19th-century squares
  • Named for Isaac Norris (colonial leader)
  • Served industrial Kensington neighborhood
  • Traditional urban green space

Decline

[edit | edit source]

By the late 20th century:

  • Neighborhood faced economic hardship
  • Drug activity and abandonment
  • Park underutilized and neglected
  • Community at a crossroads

Community Revival

[edit | edit source]

The Norris Square Neighborhood Project (founded 1973) transformed the park:

  • Reclaimed space for community use
  • Built gardens and casitas
  • Created youth programs
  • Restored pride and safety

Features

[edit | edit source]

Community Gardens

[edit | edit source]

Las Parcelas and other gardens:

  • Multiple themed gardens
  • Vegetable growing
  • Medicinal plants
  • Cultural plantings
  • Hands-on education

Casitas

[edit | edit source]

Puerto Rican-style casitas (small houses):

  • Traditional wooden structures
  • Cultural gathering spaces
  • Music and celebration venues
  • Unique to Norris Square

Youth Programs

[edit | edit source]

Raíces (Roots) and other programs:

  • Youth leadership development
  • Environmental education
  • Cultural programming
  • Job training

Playground

[edit | edit source]
  • Modern playground equipment
  • Safe play space
  • Family gathering area

Cultural Expression

[edit | edit source]

The gardens feature:

  • Murals and public art
  • Cultural symbols
  • Community history
  • Living traditions

The Norris Square Neighborhood Project

[edit | edit source]

NSNP has led transformation since 1973:

  • Community organizing
  • Garden development
  • Youth development
  • Cultural preservation
  • Neighborhood revitalization

The organization's work demonstrates how community investment can transform urban spaces.

Using the Park

[edit | edit source]

Visiting the Gardens

[edit | edit source]
  • Gardens viewable from paths
  • Respect growing areas
  • Photography welcome
  • Organized tours available

Community Events

[edit | edit source]
  • Cultural celebrations
  • Garden programs
  • Youth activities
  • Neighborhood gatherings

Playground

[edit | edit source]
  • Open for public use
  • Family-friendly space

Visiting

[edit | edit source]

Hours

[edit | edit source]
  • Dawn to dusk
  • Gardens may have specific access times
  • Check NSNP website for programs

Getting There

[edit | edit source]

Location: Diamond Street and Howard Street, Kensington

By Public Transit:

  • SEPTA Bus 3, 39, 47
  • Market-Frankford Line to Huntingdon Station, then walk

By Car:

  • Street parking
  • Be aware of neighborhood conditions

Tips

[edit | edit source]
  • The casitas and gardens are unique—worth the visit
  • Contact NSNP for organized tours
  • Support the organization's work
  • Respect the community space

Significance

[edit | edit source]

Norris Square demonstrates:

  • Power of community organizing
  • Cultural preservation in urban settings
  • Youth development through environmental work
  • Neighborhood transformation through parks

Nearby

[edit | edit source]

See Also

[edit | edit source]

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ↑ "Norris Square Neighborhood Project". Norris Square Neighborhood Project. Retrieved December 30, 2025
[edit | edit source]
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