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FEBRUARY, 2017

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Dear Staff:


It’s hard to believe, but tomorrow marks my one-year anniversary with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Time flies in this department! I was excited to start the new year by meeting with many of you in the Program and Operations divisions, and I can’t wait to see all of you at the customer service trainings in February. Don’t forget that the registration deadline is tomorrow! As a City department that engages with such a large percentage of Philadelphia citizens year-round, it's imperative that we offer them courteous, professional service--whether in person, on the phone, or through email--every day. That’s why I expect 100% staff participation in PPR Customer Service Boot Camp.

Over the past year, I learned a ton, and I appreciate all of your patience and candor as I asked the questions I needed answered to understand this large, far-reaching department. In a similar manner, we’ll be asking for your knowledge and ideas next month as we kick off the strategic planning process. The strategic plan will set broad goals for PPR and identify our priorities moving forward, along with the structure, resources and action plan necessary to meet those goals. It’s therefore crucial that staff from all divisions and levels of the department weigh in on this roadmap for our future. Please keep an eye out for information about input sessions and working groups over the next few months and join me in this effort.

In a similar spirit, I’m launching a monthly Chat and Chew series with staff. Starting in late February, you can sign up to join 4 or 5 colleagues and me at a lunch (my treat) where you can let me know your questions, suggestions, and concerns for the department. We’ll be sharing a flyer with more detail in the next few weeks, but in the meantime you can email Kathy DeCrescio (kathy.decrescio@phila.gov) if you’re interested.

Thank you.

Kathryn Ott Lovell


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Summer Lifeguard Jobs

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Know a teen who’ll need a summer job? Get them started on the path to becoming a lifeguard NOW! Lifeguards must be 16 years or older, must pass a free lifeguard screening test, and must complete 21.5 hours of lifeguard training, first aid, and CPR. Starting salary is $12.33 an hour. There are four local training sites, which are open year-round, where the screening can be completed.

Learn more about becoming a PPR lifeguard

 

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Things to Look Forward to in 2017

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2017 should prove to be an exciting year for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation! In addition to new programs, events and facilities, we’re excited to announce the return of your favorite happenings, like Parks on Tap and the Philadelphia International Unity Cup! Dates and details are TBA, so check back for updates.

Check out, in no particular order, a handful of what PPR has in store for 2017

 

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Outdoor Adventure Club

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This spring, PPR is piloting an Outdoor Adventure Club at Houston and Junod Playgrounds. Examples of the activities for registered children are: hiking, camping skills, disk golf, geocaching, orienteering, photography, woodland crafts, birding, creek studies, and edible plants.

Wednesdays between March 29 and April 26, 2017, from 4-6pm

Houston Playground (900 Grakyn Lane, 19128) & Junod Playground (12770 Dunks Ferry Road, 19154)

Boys and girls, ages 8-12

$25.00 registration fee (includes all activities, supplies and a T-Shirt). Registration is taken on a first-come, first-serve basis.

To download a registration form, visit http://bit.ly/2jGp2Df. To learn more, contact Katie Ann Wimsey at Katie.a.wimsey@phila.gov or 215-685-0487.

 

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Featured Winter Programs

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Winter time is here, but the awesome programming Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) offers doesn’t halt–it just gets cooler! We’ve compiled a sampling of winter programs (in no particular order) to check out at PPR facilities, ranging from cooking, to martial arts, to modeling and more.

View our featured winter programs list

 

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Community Propagation Program

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Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, is pleased to announce our 2017 Community Propagation Program! This program invites Philadelphia gardeners and growers to rent table space in our production greenhouses to propagate plants for Philadelphia gardens and farms.

In 2017, 50 tables will be rented out for two seasonal rental periods: Spring (February-May) and Fall (July-October). Each table is 8’ x 3’ and can be rented for $50 for one period. The rental fee includes: use of one table, access to water, and potting mix. Community Propagation Members will have access to the greenhouse Monday- Friday between 9AM and 3PM & Saturdays between 10AM and 1PM.

Learn how to become involved with the Community Propagation Program

 

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Customer Service Boot Camp

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Tomorrow is the deadline to register for Customer Service Boot Camp at Venice Island! All PPR staff are required to attend a session.

Choose 1 of 4 sessions:

  • Monday, February 6, 10am-12pm or 1-3pm
  • Tuesday, February 7, 10am-12pm or 1-3pm

Register at http://bit.ly/PPRbootcamp

 

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Blue Cross Broad Street Run Notes

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Spring 2017 Community Yard Tree Giveaway Grant

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TreePhilly is accepting applications for its Spring 2017 Community Yard Tree Giveaway Grants now through Wednesday, February 8! We want your community group or local business to help restore the city’s urban forest, starting in your own backyard. In partnership with the Fairmount Park Conservancy and TD Bank, we are offering two (2) grants worth $500 and 50 or 100 trees that will enable community groups and local businesses to host yard tree giveaways this spring.

Learn more and apply for a Community Yard Tree Giveaway Grant.

Also, TreePhilly is hiring for a 9-month, paid internship, beginning March 1!

 

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2017 Unity Cup Info Sessions

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It’s time to gear up for the 2017 Philadelphia International Unity Cup! Learn how to register a team in this year’s tournament by attending one of the general information sessions listed below:

  • Wednesday, February 8, 6 p.m.: Municipal Services Building, Room 1450 (1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, 19102)
  • Thursday, February 23, 7 p.m.:  Murphy Recreation Center (300 W. Shunk Street, 19148)
  • Thursday, March 9, 3 p.m.: Municipal Services Building, Room 1450 (1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, 19102)
  • Thursday, March 23, 5:30 p.m.: Carousel House (4300 Avenue of the Republic, 19131)
  • Thursday, April 6, 6:30 p.m.: Ramp Playground (3300 Solly Avenue, 19136)

Learn more about the Unity Cup tournament, including what’s new this year

 


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Kensington & Tacony Trail Receives Funding for
Phase 2

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On January 10, Governor Tom Wolf and PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards announced that fifty-one projects to improve transportation alternatives are in line for $33 million in federal funds.

Among the awards for Philadelphia County, the City received $1 million to construct a 6/10th of a mile, 12-foot-wide trail with landscaping and site amenities along the Delaware River between Magee Avenue and Princeton Avenue. This project, phase II of the Kensington & Tacony Trail, is part of the East Coast Greenway developed in partnership with the Delaware River City Corporation. Phase I is in construction and will be open later this year. Once completed, the K&T Trail (1.5-miles in total length) will feature landscaping, rest areas and informational signage that describes natural features and the historical heritage of that portion of the waterfront.

Learn more about the Transportation Alternatives Program project selections

 

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New Season for the Star Players of PPR


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The Star Players of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, an acting troupe based in Northwest Philadelphia, has announced its 2017 season:

  • A Night of Disney in June (Auditions February 13 and 15)
  • Into the Woods in October (Auditions June 15 and 17)

Both performances will take place at Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center.
To learn more, follow the Star Players on Facebook.

 


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Philadelphia Eagles (Not Iggles)


Story by Tony Croasdale, PPR Environmental Educator; photo by Marty Dellwo
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I was debating what to write for January’s article and was weighing heavily towards bald eagles. When I arrived at the Tree House this morning, I noticed that the conditions seemed right to check on a tree cavity that was reliable to see a screech owl in last winter. It seems to prefer cold but sunny mornings. My Friday morning walk participants would surely love to see the bird, so I figured that I would scout it out. On the way to the screech owl tree, I spotted an adult bald eagle perched high in a sycamore over the Wissahickon Creek. I was able to show the bird to about two dozen folks walking and running on Forbidden Drive. One guy remarked, “When was the last time you saw a bald eagle in the city limits of Philadelphia?” Not to burst his bubble, but when you bird like I bird, you see eagles every day, at least in the right spot. With that comment, my choice for January’s article was settled. I did not see the owl, but I did see kingfishers fighting!

Continue reading about where to spot eagles in Philadelphia

 

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2017 Summer Rowing Camp at Lloyd Hall


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Teens, have you ever dreamed of rowing on the river? Are you interested in learning how to row? Well, here is a great opportunity to do just that.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will offer four (4) two-week sessions, for youth ages 13 to 17 years old, beginning on Monday, June 26, 2017. Camp is held at Lloyd Hall on historic Boathouse Row.

Continue reading about Summer Rowing Camp and learn how to register

 

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Job Opportunities


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Save the Date: 2017 LOVE Your Park Week


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Please join us and the Fairmount Park Conservancy for nine days of cleaning, greening and celebrating Philly’s parks! This year’s LOVE Your Park Week will take place from May 13 through May 21, kicking off with a service day on Saturday, May 13.

 


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Combined Campaign Results


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Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this year’s Combined Campaign. We are happy to announce that the department has already exceeded its totals from last year! There’s still time to give though, so let’s keep going. The last day of the campaign is Friday, February 10. Once all of the pledges are processed, there will be three drawings for a Grand Prize of Mayor’s Box Phillies tickets. In total, three packets of six tickets each will be drawn.

Please contact Kathy DeCrescio (kathy.descrescio@phila.gov) to make a pledge.

 


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Operations Audit Equipment


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In the spring 2016, Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell met with PPR’s Operations Managers and District Supervisors to get to know them and find out what challenges their staff faced and what additional supports they needed. As a result of these meetings, she realized that their requests were simple and easy to fulfill.

On January 10, Commissioner Ott Lovell and Deputy Commissioner of Operations Sue Buck invited Operations staff to a meeting at Carousel House to share that an investment of $168,884.52 in new equipment had been made to support the division. Purchases ranged from loppers and toilet brushes, to chainsaws, backpack blowers, floor blowers, walk-behind mowers, and more.

 


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Hall of Famer


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On December 4, Father Judge High School inducted Andy McLaughlin of Jardel Recreation Center into its Soccer Hall of Fame. Andy was nominated and selected for induction by current Father Judge Head Coach John Dunlop because of his overall career and his senior year leadership on the 1977 Catholic League Soccer Championship, which was the first in school history.

 

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New Website for Tacony Creek Park Keepers


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Thanks to funding received from the William Penn Foundation to support community engagement and outreach efforts for Tacony Creek Park, the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership (TTF) contracted with Portfolio Associates to develop a website about this 300-acre watershed park located in Northeast Philly. This Philadelphia Parks & Recreation park is part of the regional Circuit Trail and features a fully paved, 3.2 mile-trail along the creek, surrounded by woodland forests and meadows.

By visiting tcpkeepers.org, the public can now access information about the history of the park; upcoming events and programs such as nature and bird walks; a gallery of photos and videos; resources such as park maps, brochures and bird guides; and ways to become involved in the stewardship and restoration of this historic park. This website will be managed and maintained by TTF in partnership with the Tacony Creek Park Keepers, a newly registered Friends Group approved by the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Stewardship Program in March of 2016.

To learn more, visit tcpkeepers.org.

 


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Top Social Media Report


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This month, a few of our top posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram were job opportunities, Mummers Parade updates, funding announcements and the Festival of Lights event. In addition to these larger announcements, our followers were interested in the Christmas tree recycling program, our 2016 year in review, our guide to winter fun, MLK volunteer opportunities, and the Community Propagation Program at the Horticulture Center. Download our overview of top social media posts this month for more details.

 

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Philly Becomes 1st City to Map Its Trails & Cultural Attractions with Google Trekker


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This year, Philadelphia became the first city in the United States to partner with Google to catalog all City park trails as well as many cultural attractions for Google Street View. From May through October, in partnership with Fairmount Park Conservancy, two Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) employees—Conor Michaud and Gint Stirbys—walked over 400 miles of Philadelphia trails wearing a 50-pound Google Trekker backpack. The backpack, which was provided for free by Google, has a 15-lens camera system mounted on a green sphere attached to a pole that extends about two feet above the wearer’s head. Each lens points in a different direction so that when combined, the images can be stitched into panoramic views.

Continue reading about Conor and Gint’s experiences with Google Trekker

 


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Katie Kirlin Junior Wheelchair Basketball Tournament


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From January 20-22, the 19th annual Katie Kirlin Junior Wheelchair Basketball Tournament took place at Carousel House Recreation Center and The High School of the Future in West Philadelphia. The event brought together six organizations from various areas of the east coast. The organizations in attendance were: Bennett Blazers (Baltimore Maryland), Brooklyn Jersey Jr. Nets (Northern New Jersey and New York City), Fairfax Falcons (Fairfax Virginia), New York Rolling Fury (New York City and Long Island), Sportable Spokes (Richmond Virginia), and of course, Katie’s Komets, whose home base is Carousel House.

Continue reading about the Katie Kirlin Junior Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

 


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MLK Service Day Reports


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Meet Nicole Yates


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Nicole Yates joined the Communications team as a seasonal Social Media Associate earlier this month. In this new role, Nicole will assist facility staff with setting up and improving Facebook pages for their recreation centers, playgrounds, ice rinks, and older adult centers.

Nicole is a lifelong Philadelphian that grew up "at the rec" (but don't blame the rec for her terrible jump shot, that's genetic). She has been working in social media since the days of Friendster and flip phones and has a degree in Film and Media Arts from Temple University. When she is not wading in the seas of social media, she runs a food blog and podcast called "DidjaEat?" and tells jokes in the backs of burrito bars all over the country.

 


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2017 Union League Citizenship Award Winners

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Congratulations to PPR’s 2017 Union League Citizenship Award winners! These six young men and women were selected for demonstrating good citizenship:

  • Casey Thomas Buck: Ramp Recreation Center/ District 1
  • Shannon Schofield: Chalfont Playground/District 1
  • Rahmir Jackson: Lackman Playground/District 1
  • Don Mazzio Williams-Bey: Kendrick Recreation Center/ District 4
  • Kiesha Larke: East Poplar Playground/District 6
  • DeShonda Ponder:Vare Recreation Center/District 7

In May, the group will join hundreds of high school juniors from across the city at an all-day event that shows them the different branches of government in action and teaches the roles and responsibilities of each. Afterward, they will enjoy a banquet and presentation of Good Citizen Awards at the Union League, where they will receive lifelong membership.

 

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From Turkey Bowls to the Cotton Bowl

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Recently, Recreation Leader Charles Christman III interviewed former Recreation Leader George Geiss (third from left above) about his career with PPR and his experiences refereeing football.

Read the interview with George Geiss

 

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Healthy Vending Machine Pilot Projects

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On January 16, Recreation Leader Jamal Coleman (Martin Luther King, Jr. Rec Center) and Health Department Dietician Catherine Bartoli collaborated to provide a taste test to local community members. MLK is one of two sites that are part of a healthy vending machine pilot program being managed by Catherine Bartoli and Meka Perez, Nutrition Coordinator for Get Healthy Philly/PPR. (The other is James L. Wright Recreation Center in West Philadelphia.)

Meka and Catherine are hoping this will be the first of many healthy vending machines that will be offered in recreation centers in the future. This is a great time to support this effort in conjunction with the City’s new beverage tax. These machines offer healthy snacks and alternative drinks such as water and natural juices. Machines are colorful and inviting and complement snacks most commonly found in Whole Foods Markets. Items are priced competitively, as most of the patrons will be students from the local community.

 

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Rizzo Rink Timeline

By Retired Supervisor Anthony “Chief” Nazzario
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Did you know Rizzo Rink is celebrating its 30th year of youth hockey? Download a timeline version of the history of Rizzo Rink (PDF).

 


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Roosevelt Playground Goes to Shadybrook Farm


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On December 21, the Roosevelt Playground After School program made its annual trip to the Holiday Light Show at Shadybrook Farm in Yardley, PA.

On this mild early winter evening, the children enjoyed a bus ride through the vast display of holiday lights including a colorful collection of nursery rhymes and holiday songs (characters in the songs) brightly lit for the season.

After the ride, marshmallows were toasted around a warm fire and the play area was populated with our program participants and many other kids having a great time.

The children still had energy for the ride home and decided to sing some holiday songs. The adults definitely had less energy.

Many thanks to our After School staff and parents who helped make the trip run smoothly and on time.

 

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Philadelphia Resident Survey

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The City of Philadelphia needs to hear from YOU! By participating in the 2016-17 Philadelphia Resident Survey, you can provide feedback on City services and have a chance to win $100! 

The survey will only take you ten minutes to complete. Your valued input on vital City services -- such as policing, public safety, trash collection, local parks and other community services --will influence the Kenney Administration’s response to the public’s needs over the course of this mayoral term. The City of Philadelphia is conducting this online survey in both English and Spanish through the end of January 2017.

Take the Philadelphia Resident Survey

 


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Skate with Santa


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On Christmas Eve morning, Tarken Ice Rink and Recreation Center held its annual "Skate with Santa" event. Good old Saint Nick was there with all the kids from Tarken's programs, as well as the surrounding neighborhoods, bringing in a crowd of well over 300 people. Family and friends were given a skating lesson to celebrate the holiday season. This event is one of the recreation center’s biggest events and will continue to be in the future.

 


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Operation Santa in District 3


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On Christmas Eve, approximately 500 kids received present- - but not from Santa. Led by Marty Jackson, an ARL for 34 years at Ziehler Playground who retired in June 2016, 25 students from LaSalle College High School delivered gifts to 12 families and 9 recreation centers throughout District 3. The students purchase and donate the toys in the weeks leading up to Christmas and then volunteer their time to visit the kids on Christmas Eve. The students really enjoy interacting with the kids when they deliver the gifts. 2016 was the 5th year Operation Santa supported the kids of District 3.

 


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Staff Changes


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Promotions
Katie Henninger, Recreation Leader Trainee
Maria Bossard, Social Work Services Manager 2
Robert Harris, Recreation Facilities Caretaker 2
Amar Zamoume, Electrician 2


Promotion with Interdepartmental Transfer
Dina Avery, Executive Secretary


New Hire (Permanent Part Time)
Wayne Ingram, Assistant Recreation Leader
Katie Kilcullen, Assistant Recreation Leader


New Hire (Permanent Full Time)
Rodney Muldrow, Plumbing and Heating Maintenance Worker
Paul Hackenburg, Building Maintenance Mechanic
William Pagel, Building Maintenance Mechanic
Michael Gall, Geographic Information Systems Specialist 1


Reinstatement (Permanent Part Time)
Gabriel Henninger, Assistant Recreation Leader


Reinstatement (Permanent Full Time)
Matthew Fusaro, Recreation Leader Trainee
Erin Hughes, Assistant Recreation Leader
Eric Wheatcroft, Recreation Leader Trainee


Rehire (Separation Longer Than a Year)
Paul Scalia, Painter 1


Temporary Appointment to Permanent Full Time
Emily Reiss, Recreation Leader Trainee
Samantha Perry, Assistant Recreation Leader


Retirement
John Brady, Recreation Leader 3


Resignation
Nicole Kain, Assistant Recreation Leader


Death
Herbert Brown, Water Safety Instructor 2

 

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