Friends of Penny Lane

Friends of Penny Lane formed in 2008 to make improvements to the public alley. It is one of four lanes in the Glen Park neighborhood. The project goals are to Green the Lane with native plants when possible, retain surface water with terracing or other means, and improve pedestrian access while fully accommodating the handful of cars and service vehicles that currently use the Lane for access. 

The project consists of a mid-block lane that ends at two branching pedestrian paths, one up to Sussex Street, and the other down to Surrey Street. The major effort since inception has been the construction and planting of the latter, called Surrey Steps, which is nearing completion. Meanwhile, many neighbors have independently improved the planting strip that runs along their fence and borders the path for vehicles and pedestrians. Sometimes this is done entirely by neighbors, and sometimes with the assistance of FOPL; providing native plants, preparing the ground and planting. Possible future projects include improving the footpath up to Sussex St.; improving the traffic surface at the Lane entry at Diamond Street and adding soil verges where concrete verges currently exist.

The group is currently undertaking the improvement of Surry Steps. The site of the current project is a right of way between two homes on Surrey Street, as well as a route for dog walkers and strollers cutting through to Penny Lane, a mid-block lane recognized as a street park, and the subject of previous neighborhood improvement work parties. The change in elevation makes access difficult in wet weather. The land is currently overgrown with cape ivy and seasonal nasturtium, and in heavy rain, a significant stream develops and washes out spills across the sidewalk.

A social path has been long established, so the work will add steps along the line of the existing path, and the rest of the ground will be terraced to help retain the runoff and allow the rain to percolate. The Department of Public Works has approved the proposal, and the community is actively fundraising to pay for improvements.

Project Type: Greening, Trail Clearing & Maintenance