As the city began new COVID-19 restrictions last week, there are a few new outdoor public spaces and art you can safely check out around Fishtown. ⬇️ Here's a rundown, but keep scrolling for more details.

• The Rose Garden at Frankford Avenue and Belgrade Street is progressing
• Hancock Playground at Master and Mascher streets reopened with new features and equipment
• A new mural wall was finished at Cecil B. Moore Avenue and Hancock Street

Spending more time inside? Stop by the Free Blockbuster box at East Columbia and Girard avenues to pick up a free DVD. Leave one in its place if you can. ⬇️ Scroll to read more about the story behind these free movie drop boxes named after the video store.

Have a good week and stay safe,

— Kelly Brennan ([email protected], @_kellybrennan)

☔ Plan ahead if you’re heading outside, as there are chances of rain throughout the week.

📢 The Hook wants to feature your local business.
Contact [email protected] and have your businesses featured here for free.

MORE NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS

🎄JAWNAMENTS POP-UP SALE
Saturday, Nov. 28 from 12-4 p.m.

Where:📍2212 Sepviva Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125
What: Want an arctic splash or wooder ice on your tree this holiday? Stop by the Jawnaments pop-up sale this weekend or shop online here. Part of the proceeds will go to the Fishtown Neighbors Association.
More details: Click here

The orange fencing is gone and the planters are installed. Stop by and check out the Rose Garden’s progress for yourself at Frankford Avenue and Belgrade Street.

(Left) Rose Garden last month by the Fishtown Neighbors Association
(Right) Rose Garden this weekend by Kelly Brennnan

Check out these separate Thanksgiving food drives and giveaways from the Lutheran Settlement House and the Kensington Health Sciences Academy.

Hancock Playground at Master and Mascher streets debuted renovations and new equipment, which came from the city’s Rebuild initiative — a program to renovate city parks, libraries and recreation centers funded by the Philadelphia Soda Tax.

Streets Dept., a public arts blog and podcast by Fishtown resident Conrad Benner, published a story about a new mural wall that popped up on Cecil B. Moore Avenue and Hancock Street in Kensington.

Read the full story about the about the mural, which was painted by more than 20 different Philadelphia-based artists.

The holidays look a lot different this year. How are you safely staying connected to friends and family? This week, I’m going to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family on Zoom.

Send me a blurb and a photo of what you’re doing to stay connected, and I'll compile them to feature in the newsletter.