Eastwick

Type	Neighborhood
Location	Southwest Philadelphia
ZIP code(s)	19153
Named for	Geographic location (eastern section of the Neck)
Boundaries	Roughly I-95 to John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Cobbs Creek to Delaware County
Adjacent	Elmwood, Philadelphia International Airport
Major streets	Island Avenue, Lindbergh Boulevard, Bartram Avenue
Transit	SEPTA Regional Rail (Eastwick Station), Airport Line
Landmarks	John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, near Philadelphia International Airport

Eastwick is a neighborhood in Southwest Philadelphia near Philadelphia International Airport. The neighborhood is notable for its proximity to the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge and its complex history of urban renewal, displacement, and ongoing flood challenges.

History

Urban Renewal

Eastwick has a controversial history:

1950s-60s: Largest urban renewal project in the U.S. at the time
Displaced thousands of residents (many African-American)
Razed existing homes for planned development
New construction never fully materialized as promised

Flood Issues

The neighborhood continues to face flooding problems:

Low-lying area near streams and wetlands
Repeated flooding events
Ongoing discussions about buyouts and relocation
Environmental justice concerns

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

Adjacent to Eastwick:

1,000+ acre urban wildlife refuge
Freshwater tidal marsh
Bird watching
Nature trails
Environmental education
One of the only urban wildlife refuges in the U.S.

Character

Housing

Mix of housing types
Some public housing
Single-family homes
Flood-prone areas

Community

Working-class families
African-American community
Environmental challenges
Airport employment nearby

Living in Eastwick

Affordable housing
Near airport
Wildlife refuge access
Flood risk in some areas
Environmental concerns

Getting There

SEPTA Regional Rail: Eastwick Station (Airport Line)
SEPTA buses: 37
I-95: Nearby access
Close to Philadelphia International Airport