The Elm Street Approach is structured around five focus areas:
Deals with the stewardship of a neighborhood, clearing and maintaining the neighborhood.
Safe, Clean & Green
Relates to the economic relationship between residents and businesses.
Neighbors & Economy
Handles the physical elements within the neighborhood. Deign should be pedestrian oriented and have an architecturally significant housing stock.
Design
Looks at and seeks to improve the neighborhood’s perception.
Image
& Identity
Involves getting various groups and volunteers in the neighborhood working together towards common goals.
Sustainable Organization
East Side Grove Orchard & Garden​
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Located at 213 N. Crawford Ave. in New Castle, the East Side Grove Orchard & Garden is more than just a garden—it’s a thriving community hub where neighbors come together to grow fresh, healthy food and share valuable resources.
The garden features a variety of fruit trees including peaches, pears, and apples, raised beds filled with seasonal vegetables like strawberries, cucumbers, and tomatoes, as well as blueberry bushes, rhubarb, and herbs.
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​Visitors can also enjoy the free library, community pantry, and the convenience of a lending tool shed, all supported by an eco-friendly rainwater collection system. Whether you’re here to pick fresh produce, volunteer your time, or simply relax and connect with others, the East Side Grove Orchard & Garden is a welcoming space for everyone.
Join us in cultivating growth, community, and sustainability right here in New Castle!
Our
Story
The Elm Street neighborhood revitalization initiative is a program awarded by the Department of Community and Economic Development and is facilitated by the PA Downtown Center.
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The Elm Street designation was awarded for the period of March 2, 2021, to March 30, 2026.
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The initiative is intended to be a comprehensive approach to long-term neighborhood sustainability. To date, there are only two designated Elm Street Communities in the Commonwealth of PA.
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The Keystone Elm Street designation means that New Castle will receive priority consideration under several Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) programs including the Keystone Communities Program. New Castle will also be eligible for complimentary technical assistance and programmatic support from the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) over the next five years. In addition, New Castle will receive priority status for various funding applications submitted to the DCED. New Castle will also be eligible for Neighborhood Assistance Program Enterprise Zone tax credits for private sector development within the designated Elm Street Program area.
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Through the Keystone Elm Street designation, many programs have been created. Some programs provided are the East Side Grove Community Garden, playground renovations, neighborhood cleanups, community watch meetings, grant writing, budgeting, home renovations, quarterly newsletters, web page communications, Golden Broom awards, Volunteer of the Year awards, and information and referrals through social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).
To make the Elm Street community thrive, a manager who lives in and understands the community is key. The Elm Street Program manager connects neighborhood homeowners, renters, businesses, community leaders, potential contributors, and stakeholders to assess needs and match resources to those needs. The Elm Street Designation program for New Castle’s East Side Grove neighborhood, which is administered through DON Enterprises, Inc., knew just the person to fill this position.
Therefore, in June 2021, Kenneth (“Kenny”) J. Rice, Sr. accepted the position of Manager for the Elm Street Designation program for the City of New Castle’s East Side Grove neighborhood.
Kenny has been with the DON “family” of business entities since 2007 in numerous roles and capacities, including personal care attendant, facilities supervisor, and corporate board member. A life-long resident of New Castle, he resides in the Elm Street Designation’s project area. Kenny’s love and commitment for his neighborhood has been demonstrated by his spearheading grassroot initiatives such as Annual Community Clean-up Days, Neighborhood Watch, the East Side Grove Community Garden, and the Lawrence County Day of Prayer. Among other accomplishments, Kenny received the 2020 Dominion Energy/Western Pennsylvania Environmental Council Award for the East Side Grove Community Garden, 2020 Oneness of Lawrence County – Uniting Community, Citizen Award, 2019 Lawrence County Conservation District Urban Stewardship Award, 2019 NAACP Thomas Farrow Community Award, 2019 Tri-County Clean Ways Community Steward Award, and 2019 Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Volunteer of the Year.
Beyond his work for the community, Kenny is devoted to his family.
Kenny is a staple of his community. He takes exceptional pride in continually working on improving the neighborhood by maintaining public areas, tending to gardens, and simply being a good neighbor to his fellow residents.