JANUARY, 2016

BirdPhilly Returns!

Returning for a second year of bird-centric trips, activities, and learning opportunities, BirdPhilly kicked off its 2016 season on Saturday, January 2 with a stroll through FDR Park. While the weather dipped down into temperatures previously unseen, 25 steadfast birders persevered and were graced with the appearance of 39 different species that call this South Philadelphia park home, at least for the season!

A partnership between Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, BirdPhilly debuted in 2015 as a year-long series of free guided bird watching trips and events within Philadelphia city limits. Focused on highlighting exceptional local environmental resources, BirdPhilly guides birders of all ages and skill levels through regionally renowned locations such as the Wissahickon Valley and Pennypack Park, local neighborhood parks, as well as the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.

Continue reading about BirdPhilly

Indoor Youth Foot Hockey at Guerin Rec

Guerin Recreation Center in South Philadelphia is now offering an indoor youth foot hockey instructional league for beginners ages ten and under. The league, which will run from January until March, is coordinated by Assistant Recreation Leader Dan Golden. Practices will be Wednesdays at 6 pm. The fee is $25 per child, and includes sticks, shirts and an award at the end of the season. Please call Dan at (215) 685-1894 for more information or to sign up.

Community Propagation Program

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in partnership with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is pleased to announce our NEW Community Propagation Program! This new program invites Philadelphia gardeners and growers to rent table space in our production greenhouses at the Horticulture Center to propagate plants for Philadelphia gardens and farms.

Learn more about the Community Propagation Program

4th Annual Black History Show

The Simons Dancers are looking for dancers, singers and spoken word artists for the 4th Annual Black History Show, which will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 2:30 pm at Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center (7 Lock St). Registration is due by Saturday, February 6.

For more information, contact Amenah Claiborne at 215-685-3551 or amenah.claiborne@phila.gov

Community Tree Giveaway Grants Are Open!

We are now accepting applications for the TreePhilly Community Yard Tree Giveaway Grants! Through this program, we provide small grants to local community groups so they can host their own yard tree giveaways each spring and fall. We do what we do best – provide the trees, mulch, and education – and community groups do what they do best – connect with constituents to improve their neighborhoods. This season, we are offering five grants worth 50 or 100 trees, plus $500 upon completion of the event to community groups and local businesses to host yard tree giveaways in their neighborhoods. Tree giveaway events must be held in Philadelphia, and trees must also be planted in Philadelphia on private property (not in the sidewalk or in containers).

Download the Spring 2016 Community Yard Tree Giveaway Grant Application. The application deadline is Friday, February 12.

A2O: Arts and Artists Outdoors

Arts and Artists Outdoors, our dynamic partnership with Mural Arts, will begin its spring session on March 7. Through this program, artists in residence work with students to create art that highlights the surrounding green space. Instruction will take place two days a week at each site. Each site will also host two community days to engage those not in the program. Interested students ages 10-14 can register at the participating facilities:

• Chew Playground: 1833 Ellsworth St, 19146, 215.685.6596
• Dorsey Playground: 6501 Hegerman St., 19135, 215.685.8734
• Francisville Playground: 1737 Francis St., 19121, 215.685.2762
• Mander Playground: 2140 N. 33rd St., 19121, 215.685.3894
• Wright Recreation Center: 3320 Haverford Ave., 19104, 215.685.7686

PPR Year in Review

2015 was a great year for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, with more than 122,841 participants in recurring, staff-led programs; 8,378 trees given away and planted; and 828,191 visits to our pools during the summer months. View many more 2015 numbers in our Year-in-Review Infographic.

Ice Skating in the City of Brotherly Love

This story originally appeared on the Philly Powered blog

Did you know that Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) has 5 ice skating rinks for Philadelphians to enjoy throughout the year? Yes, it’s true and it is FREE to you!

PPR has these five rinks where you can enjoy ice skating free of charge with only a minimal cost to rent the skates right at the facility ($3-$5, depending on the rink).  The ice rinks are open 7 days a week through March, and you can join in the fun for public skating, skating lessons, and adult hockey.  Of course, there are things for the kids to enjoy too, like learning to skate, participating in public skating, youth hockey, and the Ed Snider Hockey Program.

Continue reading about PPR ice rinks

The Discovery Center to Bring Environmental Education to Strawberry Mansion

In 2017, The Discovery Center— a $16.7 million, 16,000-square–foot, state-of-the-art, environmental education and outdoor activity center— will open in East Fairmount Park. The project, a partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Philadelphia Outward Bound School and Audubon Pennsylvania, is estimated to break ground in the near future. Construction, which will hopefully begin spring 2016, will include a high ropes course and platforms for observing over 130 species of birds in environs surrounding an 8-foot deep, 37-acre lake. Eventually, the property will include trails, a canoe launching platform, climbing walls, and a building where the majority of educational programming will take place.

Continue reading about the Discovery Center

Ronada Cyrus Excels as Computer Instructor

Ronada Cyrus has found a home in Philadelphia Parks & Recreation since she was a young child: She grew up across the street from Belfield Recreation Center in the Ogontz neighborhood, and her mother worked in the after-school program at the center. From the age of four onward, Ronada participated in activities like basketball, swimming, Girl Scouts, the Performing Arts Fire Prevention Play, and Punt Pass and Kick at the center. Fast forward a decade or two, and Ronada is now a Computer Instructor in the KEYSPOT program, a position she has held for the past four years.

Continue reading about KEYSPOT Computer Instructor Ronada Cyrus

Bartram’s Mile Offers Opportunity for New Programming at Bartram’s Garden

Bartram’s Garden, a 45-acre historic living laboratory and outdoor classroom located in Southwest Philadelphia, is the oldest garden in the Americas. The site is managed by the John Bartram Association, whose mission and vision is to protect and enhance the landmark Bartram’s Garden and House; advance the Bartram legacy of discovery, gardening and art; and inspires people of all ages to care for the natural world. This unique site offers a variety of programming, including field trips, family programs, gardening instruction, artists workshops, after-school programs, and a summer camp. These activities mainly attract horticulturalists, history buffs and school groups. However, with the addition of Bartram’s Mile, a 1.1 mile trail that will expand the Schuylkill River Trail from Grays Ferry Avenue to 56th Street, staff hopes to expand into a greater extension of the Philadelphia park system, especially when it comes to use of the Schuylkill River.

Continue reading about future plans for Bartram’s Garden programming.

Ground Broken on Smith Playground Renovations

On December 28, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation joined leaders and partners like Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin, and Councilman Kenyatta Johnson for a groundbreaking ceremony to kick-off the renovation of Smith Playground and its adjoining facilities in South Philadelphia.

When completed, the facility will include a renovated recreation center, basketball courts, playground, fitness trail, and a multi-purpose field surfaced with new turf. The project will also include the installation of green stormwater infrastructure by the Philadelphia Water Department.

Continue reading about improvements to Smith Playground

What’s New at Cherashore Playground

Cherashore Playground in a Video Game

On a recent fall morning, a camera and video crew from EA Sports traveled from Orlando, Florida to 10th and Olney to film the famous “Chosen League” Court and Cherashore Playground. Cherashore Playground is the home of “The Chosen League” and the basketball court will be featured in EA Sports NBA LIVE 2017. Cherashore was one of eight non-NBA courts around the country that were selected to be included in the next edition of the infamous NBA LIVE series. Others included: Michael Jordan’s gym in New York City along with playgrounds in Baltimore, LA, Chicago and New York City.

Continue reading about Cherashore Playground’s appearance in NBA LIVE

The Gift of Sharing at Cherashore Playground

On December 23, Cherashore Playground welcomed local families to a toy giveaway event to help brighten their holidays. Parents were invited to bring their children to pick out three new toys to take home and enjoy. Children had their choice of footballs, basketballs, board games, telescopes, Barbie dolls, “Frozen” toys and much more. This was the fourth year of the program organized by Deanna Bredell and sponsored by the CYA Gators and Cherashore. Over 400 toys were donated by the US Marines Toys for Tots Program and The Schmidt Family’s Operation Santa Claus Program. Also, on Christmas Eve morning, five high school students from La Salle College High School came to Cherahore and met with 15 children, whose information was given to them in advance, and delivered them each two handpicked, wrapped Christmas gifts. The gift of sharing was alive and well at 10th and Olney this holiday season.

PPR Gardens Win PHS Awards

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation community gardens shined brightly among the 225 gardens and public spaces entered in the 2015 “PHS Gardening and Greening Contest”. After being visited by sixty panels of judges, eleven gardens found on Philadelphia Parks & Recreation land were declared “Blue Ribbon Winners” or “Gardens of Distinction Winners” due to their unique, sustainable approach to gardening and use of public space within the city.

Continue reading about PPR’s winning public spaces and gardens

Martin Luther King Day of Service Event at Vogt

On an ice cold morning in January-- January 18 to be exact-- Vogt Recreation Center celebrated the dream and life of Martin Luther King, Jr. through the Martin Luther King Day of Service. Participants collected canned goods for those in need at St. John's Lutheran Church and played in a Martin Luther King Soccer Tournament. Children learned how to share with those less fortunate than themselves, as well as good sportsmanship and team play.

Vogt Recreation Center treated the children to pretzels and sips, and everyone had a wonderful time on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Vogt.

In total Philadelphia Parks & Recreation hosted more than 25 Martin Luther King Day of Service events at recreation centers, parks and playgrounds city-wide.

The Under Dogs Score Big!

In an effort to provide inner city girls with an opportunity to compete on higher level, PPR Recreation Leader Kristin Smerker entered the Vare Gymnastics Team into the Xcel Program run by USA Gymnastics. Before doing this, our gymnasts could only compete in city-wide meets, but through the XCEL program, our gymnasts have the opportunity to compete on a State level. Last year, the Gold Team went to States and bought back an All-around First Place title! Since then, more girls were invited to the Silver and Bronze Teams. Out of the three teams that we have, nine girls were able to attend our first USAG meet of the year.

Continue reading about the Vare Gymnastics Team

Group Fundraisers at Burholme

With a desire to connect with local organizations, the new and improved Burholme Family Fun Center is excited to announce new group packages catering to schools, groups, or organizations that are looking for a fun and unique fundraiser, group outing, or party location! The new group packages offer groups the ability to choose between a range of activities including access to the golf range with top-of-the-line equipment, an 18-hole miniature golf course, a brand new arcade, and renovated café offering a variety of food options.

Fundraisers and events at Burholme Family Fun Center are not only fun and beneficial to the organizations working to raise money, but a portion of the proceeds of sales at the center go back into the continual improvement of surrounding Burholme Park!

Continue reading about group fundraisers at Burholme Family Fun Center

Marian Anderson Boxer to Fight for WBO Junior Welterweight Title

On February 27, Hank Lundy, a boxer who trains at Graduate Hospital’s Marian Anderson Recreation Center, will face Omaha’s Terence Crawford at Madison Square Garden for the WBO Junior Welterweight title match. The fight will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10 pm.

View an interview with Hank on Boxing 396

Share the Ride Donates Bikes to Kids in West Philly

Philadelphia is known for many things, from historic sites to iconic foods and a beloved boxer cast in bronze. Now we can proudly add the city’s rising bike culture to the list. A study published by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia revealed that South Philly and Center City are among the top 25 neighborhoods for bike commuters in the United States. That fact should come as no surprise, considering Philly’s ever-growing network of trails for bicyclists and pedestrians is over 223 miles. Additionally, newly built bike lanes, biking facilities such as Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s Philly Pumptrack, the implementation of Indego (Philly’s first bike-sharing system), and numerous bike enthusiast groups contribute to the rising popularity of urban biking. Because of this growth in bike culture, Philadelphia hosted its second annual Share the Ride event on December 20 at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s Carousel House. Through the Share the Ride program, children from underserved neighborhoods receive brand new bikes, helmets, and locks donated by Pinkbike and its partners. This year, fifteen 5th graders from Henry C. Lea Elementary school in West Philadelphia were the fortunate recipients of the generous donations. 

Continue reading about Share the Ride

What’s in a Name? Wister's Woods Park

Wister's Woods Park (adjacent to La Salle University) is of course named after the Philadelphia family so closely linked with the history of Germantown and its surroundings. The Wisters bequeathed a large portion of their wooded hilly estate to the City to be used as a public park, which was formally inaugurated in 1911. A later addition to the park by gift of the Wister family specified that the natural topography of the site be preserved. Several notable Wisters left their marks on history, not least the prominent horticulturist John Caspar Wister. But did you know that Owen Wister, raised in Germantown, wrote what is widely believed to be the first Western novel? The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains, written by a Philadelphian in 1902, established the popular genre and is also the namesake of Virginian Road in close proximity to Wister's Woods Park. 

Promoting Peace at Northern Liberties through After School Clubs

This year, the Northern Liberties After School Program staff incorporated a new aspect into the program: clubs. This facet of the After School Program began in October, when kids were presented with the opportunity to join any of four clubs being offered by the After School staff for 6 weeks, which ran on different days from 4:30-5:30pm. The four clubs offered during this first round were Peace Club, French Club, Cooking, and Arts & Crafts. Children were asked to indicate which clubs they were interested in by writing a number from 1-4 next to each club (if interested), based on their order of preference. There was also the option for kids to not join any of the clubs, so every child who signed up for a club did so voluntarily.

One of the clubs in particular sparked the interest not only of the kids, but of community members and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation employees via Facebook. The Peace Club, spearheaded by Lynn Gallagher, encouraged and worked with children to enhance their conflict resolution skills, build each other’s self-esteem, and pioneer solutions to work together to create a more peaceful and loving community.

Continue reading about the Peace Club at Northern Liberties Recreation Center

CPR Training for Teens

Nine teenagers joined us at Pennypack Environmental Center on January 9 to become certified in CPR, First Aid and AED. This program was sponsored by the Pennypack Environmental Center’s Teen Advisory Council and instructed by PPR’s very own Doug Robinson. The teens learned a lot and had fun while doing it.

Founded in 2012, the Teen Advisory Council works alongside PPR staff to plan social and recreational programs for teens and families, and assists at special events and community service projects. If you know a teen who is interested in being outdoors, making a difference, and connecting with new friends, please contact Stephanie Hoffer Robinson at 215-685-0429 or stephanie.hoffer@phila.gov for more information. 

Holiday Swim Meet at Lincoln Pool

On December 18, under the direction of Doris Swarn, Water Safety Instructor 2, and Will Coleman, Water Safety Instructor 1, Lincoln Pool held its very own holiday swim meet with nearly 110 participants from the Lincoln Pool, Polar Bears Aquatic Club and St. Cecilia’s swim team. Doris and Will, along with Lifeguard Veronica Refela, wanted to continue a swim team as an extension of the summer months, so that is exactly what they did. They worked hard to revise the fall schedule and successfully held swim team practice every Friday evening despite the many existing groups that utilize the pool, including St. Cecilia, St. Matthew, Resurrection, Little Flower, St. Hubert and Father Judge. The Lincoln swim team had approximately 30 participants and had lots of enthusiasm and fun at the meet. Winners took home first, second and third place medals, and all of the kids were given the confidence to race again in future competitions and the incentive to continue to swim all year long. I want to commend Doris and Will for their efforts! A special thanks to George Kilcullen for assisting at the meet during the busy holiday time.

Video: Bridesburg After School Report

Find out what went on at Bridesburg Recreation Center’s After School Program in December!