NKCDC

Come take a field trip with us next weekend to The Rail Park on Saturday, August 8 at 11am!

The Rail Park offers an opportunity to think about how transforming defunct infrastructure into vibrant community spaces can bring new life to a community, while balancing the needs for affordability, anti-displacement strategies, and ensuring long-time residents can benefit from neighborhood improvements.

Join NKCDC and The Rail Park next weekend to learn about this vision and how they’ve begun planning for equitable development and the community engagement process to help it come to life!
We’ll leave the Kensington Engagement Center at 11:15am and travel to The Rail Park, where we’ll get a tour to learn about the innovative work and equitable development process bringing 3 miles of urban greenery to Philadelphia. We’ll have lunch on-site and then head back to the Kensington Engagement Center at 1:30.

This field trip is part of a series of events this summer called A People’s Exposition, which is taking a critical and honest look at four issues shaping Philadelphia while the nation and city celebrate America’s semi-quincentennial. In July we focused on Community Food Systems and Transportation, and in August, we’re diving into Housing – this field trip will explore the intersection of both! Learn more at nkcdc.org/a-peoples-exposition

To sign up, head here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0444A8AA29A3FEC16-64962339-field

There are a number of workshops over the next two weeks in Kensington to support residents with applying for tax relief programs. We're partnering with Councilmember Lozada's office to support residents next week at two events at the Kensington Engagement Center and McPherson Square Library.

The City of Philadelphia recently completed its latest property assessment, with the biggest increase in property values occurring in Kensington, meaning homeowners in the neighborhood are likely to see higher taxes on their properties.

Join us next Thursday, August 6 at the Kensington Engagement Center, from 10am-2pm and 3pm-7pm, or on Saturday, August 8 at McPherson Square Library from 12pm-4pm. NKCDC Housing Counselors and the Councilmember's office will be on-site to help constituents fill out their property assessment appeals and apply for City tax relief programs, including the Homestead Exemption program, LOOP, and property tax freeze programs.

Want to see if you qualify for these housing programs? Head here: https://share.inquirer.com/l4I5qu

We’re thrilled to announce El Fogón (of Casa Borinqueña!) as the new tenant of our greenspace at 2211-17 Frankford Avenue for the 2026 season!

Through a community engagement process, NKCDC selected Casa Borinqueña as the 2026 anchor tenant for 2211–17 Frankford Avenue. In March, NKCDC opened an RFP seeking a new licensed food vendor who could be an anchor tenant and received several competitive proposals. As a part of our process, we reviewed proposals in partnership with other trusted community groups including the East Kensington Neighbors Association (EKNA) and the Fishtown Neighbors Association (FNA), using an evaluation framework centered on community benefit, organizational capacity, programming quality, and alignment with neighborhood priorities.

Our new anchor tenant for the 2026 season brings the bold, smoky flavors of Puerto Rico to Philadelphia. El Fogón’s classic BBQ menu features slow-roasted pernil, charred pollo asado, and authentic island sides, all cooked the traditional way—low, slow, and full of flavor! Their private event space is available to rent for birthdays, family gatherings, corporate events, and more, complete with catering options straight from their kitchen. You can stop by the new location at 2211-17 Frankford Avenue to taste the heart of Puerto Rican cooking in the heart of Philly!

El Fogón will be open from Thursday-Sunday, 3PM-8PM! Swing by and grab a good bite and welcome them to the space!

El Fogon Borikén Casa Borinqueña

Join NKCDC, The Community Grocer, Ava's Farm, and FDR Park for a panel and discussion about the state of food apartheid in Philadelphia, and how different strategies and organizations are working to repair local community food systems!

All are welcome to learn and discuss ways we can address food insecurity in our communities.

This is part of a series of workshops and events called A People’s Exposition. As the nation and city celebrate America’s semi-quincentennial (250th), we invite everyone to join us from May to October for a citywide exhibit and engagement series to take a critical and honest look at key issues shaping Philadelphia today, to envision a more just and equitable future for our city, and to act on co-created solutions that address our greatest challenges.

Learn more at nkcdc.org/a-peoples-exposition, or sign up for our newsletter at https://buff.ly/VLNZqCA

UPDATE: DUE TO WEATHER, TODAY'S REGISTRATION EVENT (07/28) HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE EMPOWERMENT HUB AT 2771 RUTH STREET, SUITE 1

Join us this week to register for the Kensington Men's Summer Basketball League!

From August 4 through September 12, our Cure Violence Kensington program is bringing the Kensington Summer Basketball League back to one of our community's beloved public spaces to continue activating the space and creating a safe place where adults can play basketball and the community can come together to watch, have fun, and connect.

On Tuesday and Thursday this week from 5PM-7:30PM, we're holding community events at Trenton and Auburn (2200 E Auburn Street) for anyone interested in playing in the league to register, get to know our Cure Violence team, and other players before the season tips off. We'll have food, music, and other resources. Join us!

Questions? You can reach out to use at [email protected] or by texting/calling us at 240-936-9542.

Join NKCDC and partners for a variety of food and garden themed workshops this week!

Swipe to see everything we have going on this week. For a full list of NKCDC events, head to nkcdc.org/events

Join NKCDC and partners for a Greening and Land Stewardship Tour and Roundtable at the Kensington Engagement Center!

- The optional tour begins at 5:10pm, returning at 5:50pm for the roundtable discussion.

- The roundtable discussion will start at 6pm and food will be provided.

Stop by, tour some neighborhood green spaces, eat some food, and hear about how local green spaces are contributing to a food system!

This is part of a series of workshops and events called A People’s Exposition. As the nation and city celebrate America’s semi-quincentennial (250th), we invite everyone to join us from May to October for a citywide exhibit and engagement series to take a critical and honest look at key issues shaping Philadelphia today, to envision a more just and equitable future for our city, and to act on co-created solutions that address our greatest challenges.

Learn more at nkcdc.org/a-peoples-exposition, or sign up for our newsletter at https://buff.ly/VLNZqCA

Upcoming People’s Exposition workshops for the rest of July! Please note the workshop originally scheduled 7/23 “Community Cook and Dinner” is CANCELLED.

Stay tuned as we announced August’s Housing themed workshops!

Join our growing team!

NKCDC is hiring a Manager and a Coordinator for our Taking Care of Business (TCB) Ambassador's program, a City of Philadelphia funded program that supports clean, welcoming commercial corridors, neighborhood business vitality, and meaningful employment opportunities for Philly residents.

The TCB Corridor Manager will manage the day-to-day operations of the program and supervise the Commercial Corridor Ambassadors at NKCDC, who are responsible for the cleanliness of corridors in Kensington, Port Richmond, and Fishtown.

The TCB Corridor Coordinator, under supervision of the TCB Corridor Manager, will support day-to-day operations and help coordinate and serve as a field lead for the Ambassador team during daily operations, including organizing routes, assignments, coverage, equipment, supplies, and safety practices.

Read the full job description at nkcdc.org/jobs. Applications will only be accepted via our Paylocity Application hyperlink (linked in bio, or in the job description on our website!)

We're thrilled to be joining Norris Square Neighborhood Project this Saturday for the Fiesta de los Jardines, a community fundraiser set across three of NSNP’s beloved garden spaces: Las Parcelas, Raíces, and La Paz!

As part of our monthly field trips tied to Co-Creating a GreenPrint for Kensington, we're covering tickets and transportation to join NSNP for this celebration. Register here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054CAEAB2EAAFBC34-63296618-2026 - slots are limited and to join NKCDC, registration is required!

Enjoy a lively performance by Los Bomberos De La Calle, explore an abundance of local makers and artists, and flow through yoga classes led by Monarch Yoga. Sip on beers from Sacred Vice Brewing while soaking in music, art, and the energy of community connection.