Kingsessing

Kingsessing is a neighborhood trying to hold its own despite crumbling economic conditions. Many families have lived there a longtime however they are interspersed with renters and abandon properties. It is a rough and tumble neighborhood. Property values have declined by 25 percent in the last six years according to a survey by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

It is located at the lower southwestern edge of Philadelphia and bounded by Cobbs Creek, 52nd Street, Baltimore and Woodland Avenues. The Philadelphia Airport is nearby and trolley routes go straight to Center City.

In the early nineties, drugs swept the area and community groups responded in kind. During this time, the huge park of the same name was replete with festivals all in an effort to keep the kids off of the streets.

Bartram Gardens is located there. It was established by John Bartram as a repository for plants, herbs, and flowers. The gardens are still in operation with a new farm for youth just opened.
Bartram High School is located in the area as well as a U.S. Post Office and a branch of the Free Library.

A recent complaint against the Kingsessing Recreation Center has been settled in favor of a Caucasian woman who charged discrimination against whites.

Kingsessing is a predominantly black neighborhood located in Southwest Philadelphia near Cedar Park and Schuylkill. The homes in this area are made of families and communal or group houses of young adults. A lot of the buildings are in bad shape with boarded windows and crumbling porches and there are a few that are altogether abandoned.

The neighborhood is within walking or bike distance from several parks like Clark Park as well as shops along Baltimore Ave. Woodland Ave also run through Kingsessing and there are a few businesses there as well. Public transportation is also readily available with trolleys running through the neighborhood. And you can access I-76 quickly by car.

Dirty streets and run down houses, there is also a crime concern in Kingsessing with increasing reports of sexual assault and muggings. It’s generally advised not to walk in groups if you are out at night to try to prevent your chances of being assaulted.

With that said, rent is relatively cheap in this low to middle class neighborhood, maybe for obvious reason, and off street parking is available in most of the areas. Though there isn’t a guarantee that your car won’t get messed with depending on where you park it.