Over 250 people joined the Community Design Collaborative for a reception at Hamilton Hall to support our Design Grants. Volunteers, nonprofits, and donors met under a green canopy and strings of lights—sampling great food, sipping Leverage Lemonade and Collaborative Coolers, striking a pose in our Posey Booth, and viewing 26 completed Design Grants featuring our work to improve schoolyards, parks, playgrounds, and other neighborhood open spaces.
The Collaborative also proudly presented its 2015 Leverage Award to Paul Levy on behalf of Center City District. This annual award recognizes leadership in strengthening neighborhoods through design. We honored Center City District for their support of schools and family-friendly public spaces in Center City and the neighborhoods surrounding downtown Philadelphia. Their work has inspired efforts to improve open space in communities throughout the city.
"Center City District has the benefit of assess the highest value real estate in Philadelphia. We can afford designers and engineers. But the work you do makes design services available to many communities who may not have the budget," remarked Paul Levy, "Quality public spaces are not only nice amenities, they are essential to the competiveness of our communities."
Proceeds from Leverage will support the Collaborative’s Design Grants, which provide pro bono preliminary design services to dozens of nonprofits each year. Your “leverage” will truly help us strengthen neighborhoods through design. Thank you again!
