Meet the Wurges: Fitler Square’s Quiet Architects of Community
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If you've attended a school fair, community event, or even just enjoyed Schuylkill River Park, chances are you've seen the quiet work of Kate and Beau Wurges.
Despite both holding full-time jobs and raising four children, they somehow find the time and energy to keep the neighborhood running.
They’ve helped grow a Girl Scout troop from 12 to 50 girls, transformed Greenfield’s Fall Fest into a major fundraiser, and even jumpstarted STEM learning at Markward Recreation Center.
They are, as one neighbor put it, "the reason this neighborhood works."
A Decade of Fixing What Breaks
Kate's journey into community leadership began the way many do: with a playground in disrepair. A decade ago, after noticing that monkey bars at Schuylkill River Park were falling to the ground, Kate realized no one had reported the hazard.
She joined the board of the Friends of Schuylkill River Park and got the playground fixed. "It wasn't that the problems couldn't be solved," she says. "It was that no one was talking to the right people."
Since then, Kate has become a fixture in community organizations. She’s served more than ten years on the Friends of Schuylkill River Park board, co-founded Girl Scout troop 93942, and acted as VP of Engagement for the Greenfield Home and School Association.
The Family Behind the Work
While Kate often takes formal roles, it’s Beau who provides the logistical muscle. Whether it's unloading 200 pumpkins with a skid steer for Greenfield's Fall Fest, or dressing up as the school's Ram mascot, he brings what neighbors describe as "a calm and consistent presence" to nearly every event.
"If there's ever a real issue," Kate says, "he's generally the problem-solver."
Together, the couple juggles these commitments with full-time jobs and raising four children, all of whom either attend or will attend Greenfield Elementary. Kate works as the administrative manager in Genomic Diagnostics at CHOP; Beau runs a general contracting business.
Kate attributes her success to connecting dots others might miss. "The more we work with different organizations, the more we can share volunteers, supplies, and knowledge," Kate explains.
Recognition from City Council
City Council recently honored Kate and Beau Wurges with an official citation—a formal statement recognizing individuals whose efforts have significantly benefited the community.
The citation acknowledged the Wurgeses' years of steadfast, behind-the-scenes work that has helped make Fitler Square a more welcoming, well-connected, and vibrant place to live.
"Kate and Beau Wurges represent the very best of Philadelphia—neighbors who show up, build community, and bring people together," said Council President Kenyatta Johnson, whose Second District includes Fitler Square. "The Philadelphia City Council is honored to recognize their leadership and the impact they’ve had on so many families."
"Kate and Beau are the true embodiment of selfless dedication," added Jennifer Slobotkin, President of the Greenfield Home and School Association. Lindsay Bingaman, President of the Friends of Schuylkill River Park, noted, "We are all better off for having them in our neighborhood."
As their story shows, a functioning community doesn’t require grand gestures. Sometimes, it just takes someone willing to fix the monkey bars.
Can’t think of two people more deserving of recognition!