Off campus at Drexel University in Mantua sits a quaint cat park that has become a hidden gem for students living or walking by the area.
The park has been maintained by James Weisbrod for the past 12 years, writes Jenna Pedorenko for The Triangle.
Prior to Weisbrod’s efforts, the area was an abandoned playground for about four decades.
Worried about houses being built there, he decided to remove all the rubble and start constructing the park that many know it as today.
His efforts included hauling in dirt, plants, and tree saplings, removing and replacing the rotting trees with lively fruit tress, and filling the park with bright flowers and plants, which Weisbrod waters everyday.
He also painted the bricks along the side of the park and helped paint a mural on the park’s back wall.
“As I worked on the garden, the cats started accumulating… and people started bringing cats,” Weisbrod said.
The already-stray cats in the neighborhood were drawn by the newly-lively area.
From there, Weisbrod decided to start feeding the cats and create a safe space for them. He later started to ensure they were spayed, neutered, and went to the vet.
Weisbrod is an all-around animal caregiver.
Read more about James Weisbrod and the care he gives to cats and other animals at The Triangle.
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Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on PHILADELPHIA Today in November 2025.
