If you have been in Philadelphia, you have most likely seen an empty lot. These spaces take up a lot of land in the city, and have grown into a big problem. They have become grounds for people to dump trash and other wastes. These empty lots are also covered in overgrown trees and bushes. In 2019, there were approximately 40,000 empty lots in Philadelphia, many of which were privately owned. A lot of the owners of these lots did not live in the city so they did not see the affect it had on the communities the lots were located in. Because of this, many residents have taken it upon themselves to work together and cleanup the lots.  

Community led cleanup projects have helped turn empty lots into community gardens and green spaces. In North Philadelphia for example, a vacant lot on Silver Street &, N 13th St was turned into a community garden. What used to be a safety hazard has become a place where local residents can grow and pick freshly grown fruits and vegetables. Cleaning empty lots and making them into green spaces can bring communities together. By working to clean up the lots, build green spaces, and manage them, residents get the opportunity to better their neighborhood with each other. This creates a positive relationship within the community and inspires them to live greener lives.

Green spaces are also a great way to introduce children to green activism. Community built gardens instill the importance of togetherness and environmentalism. Turning empty lots into green spaces has also helped to keep communities safer.

A study by University of Pennsylvania showed that residents were less stressed and more active in areas with green spaces. Vandalism and violence decreased in neighborhoods with community green spaces as well. Overall, flipping lots into community gardens and green spaces helps both adults and children become more aware of the environmental issues within the city and work together to push for a change.