File:Fitler Square Improvement Association Philadelphia City Council Citation.JPG

English: City Council Citation honoring the Fitler Square Improvement Association, May 2014.

City Council City of Philadelphia Citation Honoring and Recognizing The Fitler Square Improvement Association and Judy Romano Zimering

The Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased to honor and recognize the Fitler Square Improvement Association and its President, Judy Romano Zimering.

Whereas, The Fitler Square Improvement Association, Inc (FSIA) was founded in 1962 by Marie Wilson who saw the promise in a run-down square that badly needed attention from its neighboring residents. In 2012 FSIA celebrated its 50th year with a tented in-square fundraiser. Currently in its 52nd year the association works in public-private partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation to maintain and improve Fitler Square. Ongoing projects include hiring a gardener to maintain all turf and gardens, tree care, cleaning and removing snow, and holding many annual events for children and adults in the neighborhood. In addition, since 2010 the association has undertaken a large stint of major capital projects including, among others, a forty thousand dollar fountain overhaul that changed the central fountain into one that re-circulates water rather than runs it directly from the main into the drain, over ten thousand dollars in improvements to the sprinkler system, a nearly twenty thousand dollar re-vitalization of all iron fencing, an almost forty thousand dollars for bench replacement, and an over ten thousand dollar massive light conversion to LED fixtures. Most ongoing and capital projects are funded by donations from neighbors to Fitler Square. The bench replacement project was funded by 2nd District Councilman Kenyatta Johnson who has been a continual steward of Fitler Square.

Whereas, For the past 13 years The Association has been lead and its accomplishments driven by President Judy Romano Zimering. Judy has lived in Center City for the past 30 years. When she married her husband Eric they bought a house on Panama Street where they have lived for 25 of the past 30. In 1991 she started volunteering at the FSIA’s White Elephant Booth during the Spring Fair. The following year she joined the FSIA Board and was elected its president in 2001.

Whereas, When Judy became a mom in 1998 she began to see the park differently and encouraged more child-friendly activities, such as the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, the Kids' Booth, "run by kids for kids", and the Moonbounce at the Fair. This resulted in a revolution toward a park populated by a diverse constituency of babies and young children alongside its many adult neighbors. This lively scene of diverse age constituencies currently peppers Fitler Square on almost any day. Judy’s favorite time in the park is Friday afternoon during the Spring Fair when the park is busy with neighbors and parents of The Philadelphia School chorus, of which her daughter is an alumnae. The 50th Anniversary Jubilee was a fabulous highlight of her many years on the Board. She loves to see the spring flowers popping up and is very excited about the new improvements to Fitler Square, including the beautiful new benches and the way the new lights glow at night.

Therefore, By virtue of this Citation, the Council of the City of Philadelphia does hereby honor and recognize the Fitler Square Improvement Association and its President, Judy Romano Zimering. We commend The Association and Judy Zimering for all they have done to make Fitler Square a better place for the citizens of Philadelphia and we extend to all involved the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body. Congratulations!

May 10, 2014 Kenyatta Johnson Councilman, 2nd District Darrell L. Clarke

President