Hinge Collective

It is wonderful to see Philly Tree Plan partners bringing trees to communities that need them the most in ways that support them the best. The realization of the Philly Tree Plan is just starting to ramp up. Stay tuned!

The Story of Rodney Reservoir Park, Wilmington, DE: A series Part Two: Community Led Design Neighbors and City work together: In May 2023 Mayor Purzycki created the Rodney Reservoir Advisory Committee. Formed as a collaborative partnership between neighbors and the city, the committee guided the engagement processes and provided key insights for the future city park. Engagement Session #1: during a couple of cold nights in late 2023, 120 neighbors came out to share their stories, aspirations, concerns and… Design together to shape and mold their ideal parks. Over 80 additional residents contributed their thoughts through an online survey, ensuring that those unable to attend in-person meetings were still heard. A comprehensive survey was made available in both Spanish and English to broaden participation. Engagement Session #2: Building on the initial feedback, residents met again to assess and prioritize project objectives and design alternatives. Community Conceptual Design: “The creation of a new City park on land that had sat abandoned for 30 years is an example of what can be accomplished when the City and the community have a mutual understanding on projects like this,” - Mayor Purzycki Special Thanks: Grassroots Advocacy + Academic Collaboration Before Hinge Collective joined the team, Green for the Greater Good started conversations and held workshops with students from the the University of Delaware LIVING LAB research group to imagine what Rodney Reservoir could be. More than 80 residents participated. The information shared from these conversations were built upon throughout the city’s engagement and design process. ? #RodneyReservoirPark #WilmingtonVibes #publicinterestdesign #communityengagement #communitydesign #inclusivedesign #equitabledevelopment #urbanplanning #neighborhooddesign #loveyourneighborhood #landscapearchitecture

**The History of Rodney Reservoir Park, Wilmington, DE: An Overview** **Part One: Historical Context and Purpose** 1863 - The establishment of an open-air basin reservoir, accompanied by a baseball field in the surrounding area. 1915 - Following a period of abandonment since 1908, a new enclosed reservoir was constructed, featuring an ice skating rink on its surface. 1919 - An observation tower was constructed, providing visitors with "a magnificent panorama of four states from this platform" (The Evening Journal, 1919). 1942 - 1954 - The observation tower served a critical role during World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War, functioning as an air raid siren and a Ground Observer Corps station. 1920s - 1990s - The reservoir evolved into a valued community asset: Throughout the decades, it hosted a bandshell, popular sledding hills, an ice skating rink, football games, a basketball court, and a gazebo. 1990s - 2000s - The reservoir was decommissioned and closed to the public: Due to water quality concerns and subsequent safety issues, access to the site was restricted. 2010 - Establishment of a community garden: The Cornerstone West Community Development Corporation and Green for the Greater Good initiated steps to restore public access by launching a community garden. With 61 plots and over 100 active gardeners, it became the largest community garden in Wilmington. 2023 - Community-driven vision for a revitalized park: The City of Wilmington formed an Advisory Committee to foster collaboration between residents and city officials in the design and development of the future Rodney Reservoir Park. **Acknowledgements** University of Delaware library via Landscape Architecture Student’s research The Hagley Library WIlmington News Journal The Morning News The Evening Journal OldWilmington.net FOIA Request The City of Wilmington Green for the Greater Good Westside Grows Hinge Collective #RodneyReservoirPark #WilmingtonVibes #GetOutside #NatureLovers #CommunityWellness #publicinterestdesign #communityengagement #communitydesign #equitabledevelopment #urbanplanning #neighborhooddesign #loveyourneighborhood #landscapearchitecture

Out ream is looking forward to seeing familiar faces and learning from community and environmental experts at this year’s Thriving Communities Stormwater Symposium. It’s not too late to join - sessions run Oct 17-19. Workshops will cover environmental justice, urban greening, grant support, community engagement, and much more! https://lnkd.in/g9v_TAbb #ThrivingCommunities #EnvironmentalJustice #PhillyEvents #Sustainability #GreenChange #Nonprofits #EJTCTAC #GrantSupport #ClimateResilience

We're going to the 2024 Thriving Communities Symposium! If you're also thinking of going, drop me a message so we can catch up! ?? Alternatively, you can sign up now and meet me there! https://lnkd.in/g9v_TAbb

??? Exciting News! ??? We’re thrilled to announce that Hinge Collective Design Director Ari Miller will join Glen Abrams from the Philadelphia Water Department for an engaging panel discussion at the Villanova University Stormwater Symposium! They’ll tackle stormwater challenges from a community perspective—an essential topic for sustainable urban stormwater planning. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear insights from industry leaders and participate in the conversation! If you want to attend, you can register at the link below. ?? Date: Wednesday, October 16 ?? Location: Villanova University ?? Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eUWh-6eu Let’s work together for a greener future! ???? #StormwaterSymposium #Sustainability #CommunityEngagement

?? Exciting news, everyone! Hinge Collective has grown, and we couldn't be more thrilled to (re)introduce our amazing team to you! ?? Each member brings their unique passion and expertise to our collective mission to collaboratively bring excellent public spaces to every neighborhood. Swipe through to meet the faces behind the work, and learn a little about what drives us. #Welcome #MeetTheTeam #HingeCollective photo credit: SCH Photography

Thrilled to see the progress of the Philly Tree Plan in making our city greener and shadier! ??? Looking forward to the Philly Tree Coalition’s development to help coordinate these vital efforts. Together, we can transform our urban forest! ?? #PhillyTreePlan #GreenerPhilly #UrbanNature

Join us at the #DelRivForum2024 for the session: Collaborating with Experts in Place: amplifying community-led greening practices in Kingsessing. Learn more about how we have been working alongside partners and Kingsessing residents to create a community-led Green Vision Plan. ? ? The forum takes place Sept. 26 & 27 in Bethlehem, PA.? ? #resilientcommunitystormwaterinitiative #communityengagement #communitydesign #publicinterestdesign #inclusivedesign #greenphilly #neighborhooddesign #loveyourneighborhood #socialimpact #designforgood #greeningkingsessing?

Calling all design students! Even if you haven't yet signed up your team for the competition, come check out this FREE skill-building workshop and get inspired. Hinge Collective's Alexa Bosse, is a member of the Bacon Competition committee. Join her at an interactive workshop that blends AI and cultural competency to reimagine the unrealized potential of Philly’s “Disney Hole” at 8th & Market! Once the site of Gimbel’s Department Store, this dormant space is waiting for YOUR vision in the Disney Hole Student Design Competition. September 28th 1218 Center for DesignPhiladelphia (in person or remote) FREE for students! Why you should attend ? Design for YOUR city! ? Collaborate with students from other schools ? Build your portfolio ? Learn AI tools for iterative design #studentdesigncometition #designcompetition #culturalcompetency #disneyhole #centerforarchitecture