Penn Medicine invests $3 million in Deeply Rooted to strengthen neighborhood recovery after severe storms
The three-year initiative will expand tree planting, green spaces, and resident-led stewardship across West and Southwest Philadelphia neighborhoods.
A $3 million investment from Penn Medicine in West and Southwest Philadelphia communities will support their recovery from recent, destructive summer storms through the planting and care of 700 trees, the creation of new green spaces, and more. Lead by the Penn Medicine Center for Health Justice, the funding is directed at building healthier, safer, more climate resilient neighborhoods.
This effort brings together Penn Medicine, the City of Philadelphia, and community partners including the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, UC Green, the Philadelphia Orchard Project, and the Fairmount Park Conservancy. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Kevin B. Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, joined community members and partners at Carroll Park this morning to announce the initiative. Together, they will work alongside residents, youth leaders, block captains, and community organizations through Deeply Rooted, a Penn Medicine-led community-academic collaborative founded in 2022 focused on neighborhood health and environmental justice.
This partnership brings together research demonstrating the health benefits of nature, urban forestry expertise, city coordination, and local relationships. Philadelphia Parks and Recreation’s work will be complemented by Deeply Rooted’s support for neighborhood assessment, resident engagement, public education, planting capacity, and long-term stewardship. Residents will help shape where trees are planted and green spaces are created, what kinds of spaces meet neighborhood needs, and how those spaces are cared for.
“Removing fallen branches and replacing damaged trees are essential parts of storm recovery, but investing in the conditions that help people thrive is equally important,” said Kevin Mahoney, CEO of UPHS. “Through Deeply Rooted, we’re working alongside residents and the community partners to expand tree canopy, strengthen neighborhood leadership, and create healthier environments for generations to come.”
Strengthening community health in Philadelphia neighborhoods long-term
The initiative prioritizes Carroll Park and Cobbs Creek, which experienced significant storm impacts, while supporting recovery and long-term greening across 14 neighborhoods: Belmont, Carroll Park, Cobbs Creek, Elmwood, Haddington, Kingsessing, Mantua, Mill Creek, Overbrook, Parkside, Paschall, West Powelton, and Wynnefield.
Over three years, the initiative will begin with storm-impact and canopy assessments, resident listening, an educational campaign, and recovery planning. As the work expands across the targeted neighborhoods, the initiative will create four community-designed miniparks and build durable stewardship practices so trees and public spaces can thrive over time.
For residents, the investment is intended to mean more than new plantings: it will create opportunities to shape local decisions, access greener and more welcoming gathering places, take part in youth and stewardship activities, and benefit from healthier neighborhood environments. Leadership In Nature (LeadIN)—a year-round program for high school students that builds environmental stewardship skills, civic leadership experience, and explores career pathways, and other community activities—will also help build environmental knowledge, leadership, and pathways for young people.
“We are grateful to Penn Medicine for this $3 million investment in the health and recovery of our West and Southwest Philadelphia neighborhoods,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “Our partnership advances the Philly Tree Plan and builds on the progress we’re making toward exceeding our first-term goal of planting 15,000 trees. Together, we’re restoring trees lost to severe storms, creating greener places for neighbors to gather, and supporting residents in caring for the communities they call home.”
The Philly Tree Plan guides a citywide coalition of public agencies, nonprofit partners, and community organizations in planting and caring for trees, with priority areas including Cobbs Creek, Parkside, and Southwest Philadelphia. This week, the City and its partners released a progress report documenting more than 18,500 trees planted over the past three years, putting Philadelphia on pace to exceed Mayor Parker’s first-term goal of planting 15,000 trees.
Trees and green spaces can help reduce extreme heat, improve air quality, support mental health, and create welcoming places for neighbors to gather. Penn Medicine-led research shows that cleaning and greening vacant land and expanding urban green space are associated with lower gun violence, improved mental health, better cardiovascular outcomes in pregnancy, and stronger community connections. The initiative views urban nature as part of vital neighborhood infrastructure that supports health, not simply as beautification.
Building on a proven model for community health
The initiative builds on Deeply Rooted, a community-academic collaborative led by the Penn Medicine Center for Health Justice. Since 2022, Deeply Rooted has partnered with more than 25 community and faith-based organizations to improve neighborhood health through greening projects, youth leadership development, community grants, and resident-led planning efforts.
To date, Deeply Rooted has:
- Planted more than 1,000 trees,
- Cleaned and greened more than 1,000 vacant lots covering over 1 million square feet,
- Awarded $280,000 in Community Green Grants for 96 resident-led projects,
- Developed youth involvement through the Leadership in Nature (LeadIN) program to plan and create community-designed miniparks.