Kim Carter, Community Advisory Committee Member: 
I was born and raised in West Philadelphia and often passed by the Cobbs Creek Golf Course, but I never set foot on the property. I never realized how large it was.
I now serve on the Cobbs Creek Community Advisory Board, where I work with other board members to recommend outreach strategies and suggest partnerships. We ensure that diverse contractors are involved, we recommend diverse candidates for leadership roles, and we connect the Foundation and TGR Foundation with community stakeholders.
I am most excited about the economic impact of the project. The Cobbs Creek Foundation has already left a positive impression in the community by including minority-owned businesses in the development and construction phases. Awarding contracts to these businesses creates jobs, increases business revenue, enhances experience and performance, and offers growth and scaling opportunities.
And the project will significantly improve the surrounding neighborhood. The creek restoration will address long-standing flooding issues, and the restoration will involve building state-of-the-art facilities that enhance the neighborhood landscape. The community will have access to a top-tier public golf course offering educational opportunities, golf lessons, training, internships, and more valuable resources.
But you don’t have to take it from me. I believe data will tells the story of the full impact, and we will eventually have data on jobs created, minority business contracts and their financial impact, and educational support metrics, such as tutoring, camps, community cleanups, college readiness, and school partnerships.
The leaders of the Cobbs Creek Foundation have proven they are making a long-term commitment to the community and that they are dedicated to creating lasting positive change.
Anonymous, Longtime West Philadelphia Resident:
I’ve lived within walking distance of the Cobbs Creek Golf Course for more than 55 years. I attended Cassidy Elementary School and then Lamberton School from 6th through 12th grade – both within walking distance from the golf course.
Over the decades, I have seen people golfing at Cobbs Creek as I’ve walked dogs or while birdwatching. I could always see and hear the golfers, but they couldn’t see me. Sometimes I even had to dodge golf balls!
I’ve also been a community activist for decades, and it has saddened me to see the decline in my neighborhood. I could have moved, but I chose to stay because this is my community, and I love it! I want the best for our community – and the Cobbs Creek revitalization project will make us the best again.
As someone who has spent most of my life and career working on behalf of conservation and environmental causes, I understand the importance of protecting the environment for future generations. And I’m thrilled that this incredible investment in my community will restore the local streams and tributaries.
This project will create a state-of-the-art Learning Lab for the youth in my community and revitalize the historic golf course, which is one of only five courses nationwide that was inducted into the Black Golf Hall of Fame.
These benefits will stimulate the local economy by creating new part-time and full-time jobs. In the future, my community can even host major golf events and competitions.
I have always appreciated the Cobbs Creek Foundation’s investment in my community and their outreach efforts. They met with me to address my initial concerns and help me better understand the project’s scope. They gave me details and a timeline and answered every question I had.
The benefits of this project – environmental, educational, historic, and economic—are immensely important to the community I call home.