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


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


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


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


Norris Square was established in '''1848''':
The '''Norris Square Neighborhood Project''' is a notable community organization:
* One of Philadelphia's 19th-century squares
* Community gardens and urban farming
* Named for Isaac Norris (colonial leader)
* Youth programs
* 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 ===
== History ==
 
* Modern playground equipment
* Safe play space
* Family gathering area
 
=== Cultural Expression ===
 
The gardens feature:
* Murals and public art
* Cultural symbols
* Community history
* Living traditions


== The Norris Square Neighborhood Project ==
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.


'''NSNP''' has led transformation since 1973:
== Character ==
* Community organizing
* Garden development
* Youth development
* Cultural preservation
* Neighborhood revitalization


The organization's work demonstrates how community investment can transform urban spaces.
=== Housing ===
* Rowhouses
* Mix of conditions
* Some renovation occurring
* Affordable prices


== Using the Park ==
=== Community ===
* Puerto Rican community
* Active neighborhood organizations
* Community gardens
* Youth programs


=== Visiting the Gardens ===
=== Challenges ===
* Poverty
* Proximity to opioid crisis areas
* Property vacancies


* Gardens viewable from paths
== Living in Norris Square ==
* Respect growing areas
* Photography welcome
* Organized tours available


=== Community Events ===
* Affordable housing
* Strong community organizations
* Latino community and culture
* Near Temple University


* Cultural celebrations
== Getting There ==
* Garden programs
* Youth activities
* Neighborhood gatherings


=== Playground ===
* '''Market-Frankford Line:''' Berks Station
 
* '''SEPTA buses:''' 3, 47
* Open for public use
* Near Temple University campus
* Family-friendly space
 
== Visiting ==
 
=== Hours ===
 
* Dawn to dusk
* Gardens may have specific access times
* Check NSNP website for programs
 
=== Getting There ===
 
'''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 ===
 
* The casitas and gardens are unique—worth the visit
* Contact NSNP for organized tours
* Support the organization's work
* Respect the community space
 
== Significance ==
 
Norris Square demonstrates:
* Power of community organizing
* Cultural preservation in urban settings
* Youth development through environmental work
* Neighborhood transformation through parks
 
== Nearby ==
 
* '''[[Kensington]]''' — Surrounding neighborhood
* '''[[Fairhill Square]]''' — Nearby
* '''[[American Street]]''' — Commercial corridor
* '''[[Fishtown]]''' — South


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


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


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


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

Revision as of 20:25, 30 December 2025

Norris Square
TypeNeighborhood
LocationNorth Philadelphia / Kensington
ZIP code(s)19122
Named forNorris Square park
BoundariesRoughly Susquehanna Avenue to Berks Street, Front Street to 5th Street
AdjacentWest Kensington, Kensington, Temple University Area
Major streets2nd Street, Susquehanna Avenue, Front Street
TransitMarket-Frankford Line (Berks Station nearby), SEPTA buses
LandmarksNorris Square Park, Norris Square Neighborhood Project

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 Park

Norris Square is the neighborhood's central park:

  • Historic public square
  • Community gathering space
  • Community gardens nearby
  • Playground
  • Event space

Norris Square Neighborhood Project

The Norris Square Neighborhood Project is a notable community organization:

  • Community gardens and urban farming
  • Youth programs
  • Environmental education
  • Neighborhood beautification
  • Cultural programming

History

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.

Character

Housing

  • Rowhouses
  • Mix of conditions
  • Some renovation occurring
  • Affordable prices

Community

  • Puerto Rican community
  • Active neighborhood organizations
  • Community gardens
  • Youth programs

Challenges

  • Poverty
  • Proximity to opioid crisis areas
  • Property vacancies

Living in Norris Square

  • Affordable housing
  • Strong community organizations
  • Latino community and culture
  • Near Temple University

Getting There

  • Market-Frankford Line: Berks Station
  • SEPTA buses: 3, 47
  • Near Temple University campus

See Also

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