West/ East Oak Lane, designed to be a “Green Country Town”, is a neighborhood in North West Philadelphia. East Oak Lane spans from Cheltenhan Avenue to Godfrey Avenue and from Broad Street to N 5th Street. While West Oak Lane stretches from Cheltenhan Avenue to Stenton Avenue and from Vernon Road to Broad Street. West and East Oak Lane stand out from other neighborhoods because of their innovative use of green space. William Penn had initially developed East Oak Lane as a “Green Country Town”, incorporating parks like the Awbury Arboretum as public green spaces amidst the commotion of Philadelphia. East and West Oak lane also share a vibrant and deeply rooted history, with its unique architecture serving as a memorial to the colonial era. Today the area is known for its impressive jazz festival as well as the neighborhoods sprawling shopping and retail district. Residents and government alike are still building the vision of William Penn’s “Green Country Town” today, through numerous green spaces and other natural landmarks.
RESOURCES
Oak Lane Community Action Association
PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future