Spruce Up

Chair: Laura Line,  lmline523@gmail.com
Members: Christopher Bole, Julie Bush, Sylvia Hamerman-Brown, Libby Rosof

Mandate/Ideas:

  • Indoor rec spaces for kids/families, esp. for cold weather seasons
  • Sprayground in Clark Park
  • Sidewalk maintenance, shrubbery clearance, repair coordination
  • Reduction of noise pollution (Mr. Softee, dumpsters, late-night parties)
  • Bird Sanctuary

To improve the ‘streetscape’ in our neighborhood, SHCA’s Block Improvement Grants encourage the planting and maintenance of street trees, the creation of tree lawns and the installation of front gardens. Grants up to $1,000 for a single block and up to $2,400 for cooperating adjacent blocks require a dollar-for-dollar match of the grant amount through volunteer “sweat equity,” in-kind materials or services, or by cash donations. Funds for Spruce Hill’s grant program come from the Association’s membership dues and fundraising events such as the May Fair. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

For more information download a Block Grant Application.

For more information, please contact Laura Line <lmline523@gmail.com>

Bird Sanctuary Committee

Chair: Rich Guffanti, RichGuffanti@yahoo.com

The Bird Sanctuary Committee is very informal. Volunteers come whenever they have time and do the job they volunteered for.
As of July 2024
Paul fills the feeders September to June (daily feedings during the winter)
Barry empties the compost pile
Evelyn fills the bird baths. Needed to be designated Audubon Bird Sanctuary
Rich weeds & grooms the paths.
Visitors pick up any trash they find.
Other responsibilities include:

  • Development – In order to supplement the annual budget given to us by SHCA, we may have to raise money. Our annual spending is generally between $1,000 and $2,000. We pay for an arborist, purchase birdseed, feeders, plant material, and signage.
  • Donations:  No birdseed, plants or nesting houses. Just donate money.
    Make checks out to:  Spruce Hill Bird Sanctuary, mail to 241 S Melville St, Philadelphia, PA 19139
  • Bird-Related Maintenance – Volunteers are needed to clean the feeders and nesting houses.
  • General and Plant-Related Maintenance – Volunteers are needed to water the plants at least 2 times a week during the summer months, sometimes more frequently when it is not raining.
  • Annual Cleanups and Planting – Rich Guffanti organizes annual cleanups.
    At these cleanups, we weed around the plants, spread woodchips on the trails and plant noninvasive drought tolerant native plants.
  • Education – Local school classes, and scout troops are welcome but must take their trash with them. Through our kiosks children learn about the history of the Sanctuary, the native plants and their benefit to birds, and the various bird species seen in the Sanctuary.
    As of 2015, 16 different species have been sighted: see Bird Sanctuary Information Page.

Find an injured bird contact: Robin.Irizarry@audubon.org, 215-384-3281 for Injured Bird Transport to the Schuylkill Center Wildlife Clinic in Roxborough: 304 Port Royal Ave, Philadelphia, PA

Interested in volunteering? Contact RichGuffanti@yahoo.com.

Trash Committee

Chair: TBD

The Trash Committee organizes neighborhood trash pick up events periodically throughout the year, in different areas of the neighborhood.  We partner with other local organizations to hold these events and also offer community service credit to students for their participation.  If you are interested in joining us at an event, borrowing supplies, or helping to organize an upcoming event in your area of Spruce Hill, please contact TBD  Please stay tuned for announcements about future events!