Historic Washington Square West; Park funding protest; Clark Park encampment

Should Washington Square West in Center City be dubbed “historic,” preserving its look and restricting demolition? Or does that designation go too far, burdening homeowners with new costs and stunting development?

BP’s Meir Rinde found those familiar arguments this week as the Committee on Historic Designation endorsed the proposal and sent it on to the Historical Commission for further discussion and possible approval. Continue reading…

A small group of activists blocked traffic in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square area Thursday to demand more funding for the Department of Parks and Recreation.

They say city rec centers need more staff, better maintenance and longer hours — and the budget Mayor Cherelle Parker proposed earlier this spring for the Department is not sufficient. Continue reading…

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Gov. Shapiro is set to sign a bill that requires state law enforcement to collect data on drivers pulled over during traffic stops, including their race or ethnicity. But the bill also exempts those data from being included in the state’s Right-to-Know Law. [Spotlight PA]