Lawncrest, Philadelphia

Lawncrest is a neighborhood in the Near Northeast portion of the Northeast Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The name is an amalgam of Crescentville and Lawndale. Crescentville extends from Godfrey Avenue to Comly Avenue, where the Lawncrest Recreation Center is. Lawndale runs from about Levick Street to Tyson Street, while others say it goes all the way to Cottman Avenue (Pennsylvania Route 73). The area between Levick and Comly can just be called Lawncrest in itself. Despite all of this, the entire area in itself can be called Lawncrest. Neighborhoods around it include Burholme up North, Oxford Circle/Summerdale to the East, Cheltenham Township to the West, and Olney down South.

Lawncrest roughly covers the area of St. William's Parish, while Lawndale approximately covers the area of Presentation B.V.M. Parish. The ambiguity of the neighborhood name is one of its many charms.

Aside from Lawncrest Recreation Center, Gibbons P.A.L., is located just off the intersection of Longshore and Rising Sun Avenues. The gym is open during the day and is free for use.

Rising Sun Avenue is usually identified as the main artery through Lawncrest. This area along "the Avenue" is commonly know for its numerous pizza parlors, including Quality Pizza, Salerno's Pizza, Fanti's Pizza, Rising Sun Pizza, and New Station Pizza.

Most teens who live in Lawncrest attend either Cardinal Dougherty High School (private) or Northeast High School (public). Those who do not usually attend many of the region's others private schools and public magnet schools. The neighborhood is especially known for its annual 4th of July celebration which includes a parade down Rising Sun Ave., festivities at the Lawncrest Recreation Center all day, and fireworks at night.

The neighborhood's crime rate has generally increased since the 1990s, as have most neighborhoods throughout the city.

Residents and natives of note

William Keane, Creator of "Family Circus" comic strip.

External links

• Lawncrest Community Association