A tiny neighborhood by any standard: Ganther's Place only consists of a handful of blocks along a few streets. Even so, the neighborhood stands out as an example of community involvement in grassroots revitalization with a focus on beautification. They even have annual garden tours in July. Again, I was spotted by an inquisitive resident while snapping photos. Guess I'm not as stealth in my old age.

 

MAP

 

The DIY gateway to the neighborhood visible from Parsons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notice a common theme yet?

 

 

 

 

This park is where a house once stood and instead of a vacant lot eyesore the neighborhood converted this one into a public space. The sign on the left reads, "Ganther Park: a place for all people".

 

Ganther's Place...is THAT what they call it...

Nice to see what can happen when people take pride in their surroundings.

Lotta wheelchair parking signs and Ganther Place planters.

Ganther's Place...is THAT what they call it...

 

Whatever do you mean by that? :) Actually, it is surrounded almost entirely by Southern Orchards, but it seems like the neighborhood designation might be a response of not being pleased by what the SO Civic Association has done or not done. Regardless, it actually does look quite a bit healthier than the surrounding neighborhood and Vassor Village. Kinda like Hungarian Village and neighboring Reeb-Hosack/Steelton.

Cute neighborhood. I love the Welcome sign.

I love that one of the bricks. Is that the sidewalk or the road?

That would be a portion of a sidewalk; the roads here are paved.

Nice little community.  Good things can happend when a neighborhood cares and works together

I think I've figured out one other reason why a lot of these neighborhood names are forgotten, besides the local media: A lot of them don't have the type of NBDs (neighborhood business districts) you see in say, Cincinnati.

Actually, this neighborhood borders a major NBD, but I covered Parsons Ave separately. The stretch bordering this hood is quite intact, but the kinds of businesses there aren't ideal (Revol, a dumpy bar, etc). The reason a lot of lower-income neighborhoods are forgotten is because they offer little to residents of other parts of the city, although there are plenty of storefronts that could serve as destinations to attract more visitors and quality businesses, it ranks quite well in utilitarian retail like hardware, appliances, etc. Right now only Hal & Al's (new bar/live music/vegetarian bar food), Plank's Cafe (longtime restaurant/bar) and Tee-Jayes (another longtime restaurant) serve that role on this two mile long business district.

Thanks so much for this blog on our neighborhood. You are all welcome to visit our webpage: ganthersplace.org