Thanks to an ongoing initiative to make the 19125 ZIP code the city's "greenest," the Shissler Recreation Center will be getting some much-needed improvements.

But, don't expect the infamous cinder baseball field to be modified any time soon.

Instead, the improvements, scheduled for completion in fall 2010, will include changes to the parking lot and the installation of a pathway providing access to the El station at Front and Berks streets.

During a Sept. 29 meeting at the 1800 Blair St. center, representatives from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Philadelphia Water Department, the Philadelphia School District and the Department of Parks and Recreation were on hand to discuss the planned improvements.

The upgrade is part of what is known as the "Sustainable 19125" initiative, and falls under the "Big Green Block" arm of the project.

Costs for the improvements will be defrayed through funds provided by the William Penn Foundation.

The New Kensington Community Development Corp. proposed the Sustainable 19125 project, and received a $495,000 grant earlier this year from the foundation for the program. PHS also received some funding, and about $100,000 will be used by the PHS's Philadelphia Green program to support portions of Sustainable 19125.

The program seeks to make the 191925 ZIP code, which covers Fishtown and parts of Kensington, a neighborhood known for environmentally friendly homes and businesses and rich with "green" infrastructure such as bike lanes and surfaces that slow storm water.

According to David Elliott of the PHS's Philadelphia Green program, the upcoming improvements at Shissler will be numerous.

First, there are plans to install a pass-through and walkway from Blair Street through the retaining wall behind the center.

The retaining wall essentially has bisected the Fishtown and Kensington neighborhoods for years.

During the meeting, all in attendance seemed pleased that the wall would be opened.

Construction teams that are currently building the new Kensington High School for the Creative and Performing Arts will create an opening in the wall.

Next year, through the "Big Green Block" initiative, a walkway will be installed to allow pedestrians coming from Blair Street to access the SEPTA stop on Front Street at Berks Street.

"This is an early concept," said Elliott, adding that, in another portion of the project, the sidewalk on Blair Street could also be extended to connect with Palmer Street to the south.

The parking lot at the rec center also will be modified through the improvement process.

During the recent meeting, Elliott displayed an aerial view of Shissler, illustrating how new street trees might be added along the sidewalk on Blair Street.

The trees would be installed in a new garden area that would cut the parking lot back from the edge of Blair Street.