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Parker's big bet on Kensington's McPherson Square revamp

Despite recent public safety efforts, the square remains a haven for open-drug use and homelessness.

Public Safety

Work is now underway on the next phase of the renovation of McPherson Square in Kensington.The big picture: The rehab of the notorious public green space — widely known as Needle Park — could become the biggest test of Mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cherelle Parker&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/06/06/drug-treatment-center-philadelphia-holmesburg" data-vars-content-id="893fc9f1-b9f3-4bb5-9baa-9f4b0375da8e" data-vars-headline="Parker&#x27;s big bet on Kensington&#x27;s McPherson Square revamp" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/06/06/drug-treatment-center-philadelphia-holmesburg" target="_self">Cherelle Parker&#x27;s</a> ultimate goal of shutting down <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="open-air drug markets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/09/29/xylazine-tranq-philadelphia-fentanyl" data-vars-content-id="893fc9f1-b9f3-4bb5-9baa-9f4b0375da8e" data-vars-headline="Parker&#x27;s big bet on Kensington&#x27;s McPherson Square revamp" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/09/29/xylazine-tranq-philadelphia-fentanyl" target="_self">open-air drug markets</a> in the neighborhood.

What to know about LeBron James' preseason debut against the Knicks

Preseason or not, it doesn't matter when the Knicks are in town.

News

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LeJawn era" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/27/lejawn-takes-over-philly" data-vars-content-id="4d46a984-c985-48e1-92b3-af68782896d5" data-vars-headline="What to know about LeBron James&#x27; preseason debut against the Knicks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/27/lejawn-takes-over-philly" target="_self">LeJawn era</a> officially starts today.Why it matters: Sixers fans will get their first peek at how much LeBron James has left in the tank when he makes his preseason debut, likely logging limited minutes against the defending-champion Knicks.

Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus

Students are self-censoring at high rates amid intense political pressure from the Trump administration.

Education

Philadelphia-area universities are largely failing to create a healthy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free speech" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/24/fiu-students-ice-free-speech-aclu-florida" data-vars-content-id="34700275-9134-4aba-8249-b818528783ec" data-vars-headline="Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/24/fiu-students-ice-free-speech-aclu-florida" target="_self">free speech</a> climate on campus, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new national ranking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/10/free-speech-collge-student-censorship" data-vars-content-id="34700275-9134-4aba-8249-b818528783ec" data-vars-headline="Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/10/free-speech-collge-student-censorship" target="_self">new national ranking</a>.Why it matters: Students are self-censoring at high rates amid intense <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="political pressure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/21/trump-higher-ed-shakeup-colleges-fall-semester" data-vars-content-id="34700275-9134-4aba-8249-b818528783ec" data-vars-headline="Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/21/trump-higher-ed-shakeup-colleges-fall-semester" target="_self">political pressure</a> from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="34700275-9134-4aba-8249-b818528783ec" data-vars-headline="Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> administration and efforts by some universities to change policies in response.

Block by Block Philly competes with LA and Chicago in cleanest-city showdown

Philly is seeking redemption after losing to Chicago by just four bags in 2025.

You can call them the Fightin&#x27; Filthies: Block by Block Philly is leading more than a dozen neighborhood cleanups in a friendly competition with two other big cities.

Shuttered Shawmont Station along Schuylkill River Trail may soon get a new life

It's about time the restoration of the oldest passenger railroad station in the U.S. is moving forward.

Things to Do

Trail-goers in far Northwest Philadelphia could get a cool new pit stop along the Schuylkill River Trail in the coming years.Why it matters: It&#x27;s about time the restoration of the shuttered Shawmont Station — the oldest passenger railroad station in the U.S. — moves forward.

Philadelphia weekend: First Friday and haunted houses

Fill out your social calendar with these can't-miss events.

Food and Drink

🚨 First Friday is here! Look for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="special events and exhibits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oldcitydistrict.org/first-friday" data-vars-content-id="06fc9c01-26e7-435c-9886-57c2693ae573" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia weekend: First Friday and haunted houses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oldcitydistrict.org/first-friday" target="_blank">special events and exhibits</a> at galleries, showrooms and shops across the city. They include: <ul><li>A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="re-release party" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdrPpZZjguD/" data-vars-content-id="06fc9c01-26e7-435c-9886-57c2693ae573" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia weekend: First Friday and haunted houses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdrPpZZjguD/" target="_blank">re-release party</a> of the Beatles&#x27; &quot;Rubber Soul&quot; album at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hideaway Music" data-vars-click-url="https://hideawaymusic.org/" data-vars-content-id="06fc9c01-26e7-435c-9886-57c2693ae573" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia weekend: First Friday and haunted houses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hideawaymusic.org/" target="_blank">Hideaway Music</a> in Chestnut Hill from 5-8pm. </li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Passyunk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbeTnNMvkOG/" data-vars-content-id="06fc9c01-26e7-435c-9886-57c2693ae573" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia weekend: First Friday and haunted houses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbeTnNMvkOG/" target="_blank">East Passyunk</a> will be lit up with cool light projections, interactive installations and music from 7-11pm at 11th Street and E Passyunk Ave. </li></ul>🍿 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Reel October" data-vars-click-url="https://filmadelphia.org/series/reel-october/" data-vars-content-id="06fc9c01-26e7-435c-9886-57c2693ae573" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia weekend: First Friday and haunted houses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://filmadelphia.org/series/reel-october/" target="_blank">Reel October</a> will be showing classic flicks on 35mm all weekend, including &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Birth" data-vars-click-url="https://filmadelphia.org/movies/birth/" data-vars-content-id="06fc9c01-26e7-435c-9886-57c2693ae573" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia weekend: First Friday and haunted houses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://filmadelphia.org/movies/birth/" target="_blank">Birth</a>&quot; tonight and &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="A Separation" data-vars-click-url="https://filmadelphia.org/movies/a-separation/" data-vars-content-id="06fc9c01-26e7-435c-9886-57c2693ae573" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia weekend: First Friday and haunted houses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://filmadelphia.org/movies/a-separation/" target="_blank">A Separation</a>&quot; on Sunday at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Film Society&#x27;s theater" data-vars-click-url="https://filmadelphia.org/" data-vars-content-id="06fc9c01-26e7-435c-9886-57c2693ae573" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia weekend: First Friday and haunted houses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://filmadelphia.org/" target="_blank">Film Society&#x27;s theater</a> in Center City.

Fall foliage forecast: When to see peak colors

Cue the hot apple cider, pumpkin-spiced lattes and scratchy sweaters.

Leaf-peeping season is drawing nigh. Why it matters: Cue the hot apple cider, pumpkin-spice lattes and scratchy sweaters.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Philly

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="57634a58-09cc-4c71-84af-2a16df479b4e" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Philly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner to Fishtown on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

The bell tolls for the Academy of Natural Science's museum

Philly is losing a nearly 200-year-old institution and one of the premier museums along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

It&#x27;s finally here: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Academy of Natural Science&#x27;s museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/09/01/academy-of-natural-sciences-to-close" data-vars-content-id="f3a7be86-6e3a-440b-93a3-8d28a5d3ffa8" data-vars-headline="The bell tolls for the Academy of Natural Science&#x27;s museum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/09/01/academy-of-natural-sciences-to-close" target="_self">Academy of Natural Science&#x27;s museum</a> will close this weekend.Why it matters: Philly is losing a nearly 200-year-old institution and one of the premier museums along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Philly weekender: Festivals galore, orchestra season and Phillies 

Fill up your social calendar with these can't-miss events.

🗓️ It&#x27;s the final weekend of September, so make it a good one!

Ed Sheeran tour drama comes to Philly this weekend

Lincoln Financial Field will host Sheeran and his tour on Saturday.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ed Sheeran&#x27;s tour" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-loop-tour-macklemore-gaza-backlash" data-vars-content-id="89e73a8a-0253-4fb4-b422-2b6e4d465e8b" data-vars-headline="Ed Sheeran tour drama comes to Philly this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-loop-tour-macklemore-gaza-backlash" target="_self">Ed Sheeran&#x27;s tour</a> has been rocked by the decision to drop <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Macklemore" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/14/macklemore-ed-sheeran-tour-free-palestine-protests" data-vars-content-id="89e73a8a-0253-4fb4-b422-2b6e4d465e8b" data-vars-headline="Ed Sheeran tour drama comes to Philly this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/14/macklemore-ed-sheeran-tour-free-palestine-protests" target="_self">Macklemore</a> as an opener following the rapper&#x27;s onstage pro-Palestinian comments.Why it matters: The Loop Tour rolls into Philly on Saturday and could be met with protests.

Philly weekend: Music festival, art show and ballet

Fill out your social calendar with these fun things to do in Philly.

🪴 Join in on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Philly Plant Crawl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DcRMXgIRPwj/" data-vars-content-id="d4b0f43e-91ab-4266-9d4a-e3b7aaf18342" data-vars-headline="Philly weekend: Music festival, art show and ballet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DcRMXgIRPwj/" target="_blank">Philly Plant Crawl</a> starting today at more than a dozen shops across the city and &#x27;burbs. <ul><li>Look for discounts, deals and a raffle. Runs through Sunday. </li></ul>🍽️ Chow down for cheap. Manayunk&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Restaurant Week" data-vars-click-url="https://manayunk.com/mnyk-events/restaurant-week/" data-vars-content-id="d4b0f43e-91ab-4266-9d4a-e3b7aaf18342" data-vars-headline="Philly weekend: Music festival, art show and ballet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://manayunk.com/mnyk-events/restaurant-week/" target="_blank">Restaurant Week</a> runs through Sunday with participating restaurants — including Bar Jawn, Blondie and Yanako — offering prix-fixed meals ($15-$45 per person).

Philadelphia Ballet's new home arrives on North Broad Street

The Center for Dance is the latest addition to long-term efforts to revive the commercial corridor.

Culture

The Philadelphia Ballet is making a splash this week with the public opening of the company&#x27;s flashy new home on North Broad Street.Why it matters: The Center for Dance is the latest addition to a long-term effort to revive the commercial corridor — like what&#x27;s happening on South Broad along the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Avenue of the Arts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.avenueofthearts.org/map/" data-vars-content-id="d30bc324-80dd-42b7-8983-6691460b7f87" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia Ballet&#x27;s new home arrives on North Broad Street" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.avenueofthearts.org/map/" target="_blank">Avenue of the Arts</a>.

Manayunk's Pop Up Garden to close 

But the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is exploring other neighborhoods to potentially set up a new popup.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pop Up Garden in Manayunk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.phspopupgardens.com/location/phs-pop-up-garden-manayunk/" data-vars-content-id="b86efdb5-7fbd-4ac4-b778-5ba5aabce33e" data-vars-headline="Manayunk&#x27;s Pop Up Garden to close " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.phspopupgardens.com/location/phs-pop-up-garden-manayunk/" target="_blank">Pop Up Garden in Manayunk</a> will close for good on Oct. 5. Why it matters: The Northwest Philly neighborhood is losing a popular outdoor bar, restaurant and meet-up spot that&#x27;s been there since 2020.

Things to Do 🗓

Shuttered Shawmont Station along Schuylkill River Trail may soon get a new life

Philadelphia weekend: First Friday and haunted houses

Fall foliage forecast: When to see peak colors

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Philly

The bell tolls for the Academy of Natural Science's museum