Philly Teens Call for More Welcoming Spaces Throughout City

Philly Teens Call for More Welcoming Spaces After Feeling Unwelcome Downtown

A group of Philadelphia teenagers is urging city leaders to create more welcoming public spaces where young people can gather without being viewed as a problem.

The students, working with WHYY’s Media Labs and Philadelphia’s PSTV, say they often feel unwelcome in Center City after being asked to leave malls, parks, and other public areas simply for being teenagers. They argue the city needs more “third spaces” — safe places outside of home and school where youth can socialize, relax, and build community.

Kharma Hillian, 19, described the message many teens receive when spending time downtown: “The attitude that’s being shown to them is like ‘you’re not wanted in public spaces.'”

Another student, James Field, pushed back against the assumption that groups of teens are looking for trouble, saying, “I would say, like, 90% of the time, they’re not up to bad stuff. It’s just people like to talk to each other and be social.”

City officials acknowledge the need for youth engagement. Eric Westbrook, deputy director for community partnerships in Philadelphia’s Office of Public Safety, said, “Our engagement doesn’t have to be just strictly arrests. Our engagement should be connecting, making relationships.”

While Philadelphia offers summer recreation programs and organized teen events, the students say they also want informal, welcoming spaces where they can simply spend time with friends without feeling overpoliced. Their documentary highlighting the issue was scheduled to premiere this week at WHYY, with the hope of sparking conversations about how the city can better support its young people.