by Kevin Dicciani

The Chestnut Hill Community Association’s Board of Directors outlined at its July meeting a list of current goals it would like to accomplish before the end of 2016 to “move the organization forward.”

On July 29 Laura Lucas, president of the CHCA, said the objectives fall under four different categories: financial, residential quality of life, membership efforts and community forums.

For its financial aims, Lucas said she wanted the CHCA to reach the potential of the organization as a nonprofit 501(c)(3). This can be accomplished, she said, by pursuing further sponsorships and developing more fundraising efforts. As an example, she said, she would like the CHCA to reintroduce the Black and White Gala as a yearly event rather than hosting it every two years.

Under residential quality of life, Lucas said she wanted the CHCA to concentrate its efforts on the happenings and concerns that arise in the neighborhood “block-by-block.” This entails, among other ideas, identifying areas where residents and businesses say that parking is needed. Another effort, one currently being developed, Lucas said, is the creation of a task force that will oversee the preservation and conservation of historic buildings and spaces in the neighborhood. The CHCA is working with the Chestnut Hill Historical Society and other organizations to put together the task force, however Lucas said it hasn’t been made official as of yet due to lack of funding.

To help strengthen the residential quality of life, Martha Sharkey, executive director of the Chestnut Hill Business Association, said she has been discussing with the CHCA ways to better the public parks along the business corridor. In preparation for next year's 20th anniversary celebration of Chestnut Hill as Philadelphia’s official Garden District, Sharkey said they are taking an inventory of all the different parks, green spaces, gardens, train stations and pocket parks in the area.

Some of the people responsible for maintaining those parks, Sharkey said, have either moved away or died, and now they are in need of maintenance. This had led to the CHBA reaching out to the numerous Friend’s groups that currently volunteer to maintain those spaces and taking notes of the ones that are in need of help. She said this presents an opportunity for the various organizations to “work together and be stronger as one community.”

Increasing membership to the CHCA, Lucas said, involves launching a new website, a new resident program and a system for auto-renewal.

Lucas said the CHCA is in the process of creating multiple forums to brainstorm solutions to issues in the community by bringing together neighbors, local organizations and the city. One forum she said is already taking place to address the construction of a ramp at Jenks Academy for the Arts and Sciences. Other forums are being set up to discuss the Water Tower Recreation Center and Pastorius Park, she said.

Lucas said if neighbors have any concerns they should not hesitate to alert the CHCA.

“If there is something going on in your neighborhood, or if there is something that you see where you feel we should be involved, let’s talk as a group and see if we can help make a difference,” Lucas said.