The Pennsylvania Horticultural society is considering two South Philly vacant lots to be transformed into one of the pop up gardens in the city this summer.

At the Passyunk Square Civic Association meeting on Tuesday night, Jeffrey Barg of PHS presented to the public the two possible locations. The first is the vacant lot at 9th and Wharton which is set for development in the fall. The second possibility is the long-vacant Ice House lot at 9th and Washington in the Italian Market.

The owners of the 9th and Wharton lot are on board for the space to be used for a pop up garden and the owners of the Ice House lot are still considering.

Of the 40 attendees at the meeting, the majority agreed that they’d like to see the Ice House lot in the Italian Market utilized for this pop up park since it’s been a neighborhood eyesore for years.

According to Barg, the 9th and Wharton lot is 7,800 sq. ft. and the Ice House lot is 15,000 sq. ft. If the Ice House lot is chosen for the pop up garden space, only 2/3 of it would likely be used. Typically the pop up gardens are about 10,000 sq. ft.

The public voiced concerns about the trash accumulation, especially with the Wharton lot which is located in close proximity to Pat’s and Geno’s.

Although only one of these lots could end up becoming a pop up garden, PHS is considering having two pop up gardens this summer instead of one. Last year, the garden was located at 1438 South St. If all goes as planned, you will likely see one of these gardens in South Philly and a second in a different neighborhood in the city.

This year, PHS hopes to have the pop up gardens open by Memorial Day.

Which of these vacant lots would you like to see used for a pop up garden?