APRIL, 2013

TreePhilly Registration Deadline

Only a few days remain to register for a free yard tree! Learn more and sign-up by March 31.

Art in the Park

The Spring session of Art in the Park kicked off on March 25 and will run through June 14 in Malcolm X Park, FDR Park, Vernon Park, Campbell’s Square and Fisher Park. All ages are welcome. Download the Art in the Park flier (PDF) for additional details.

For more information or to have a brochure/application for our Summer program, please call Valerie Arhondakis at (215) 683-1997.

2013 Trail Permit Registration

Trail permit registration for the 2013 season has begun. All equestrians and bicyclists over the age of 16 are required to display a valid Parks & Recreation Trail User Tag to use the upper trails of the Wissahickon Valley Park and the soft trails of Pennypack Park.

The cost for permit registration is $20.00 for non-residents of the City of Philadelphia. There is no charge for Philadelphia residents; however as in the past, we are asking for help in maintaining and improving the trails through a tax-deductible contribution to Parks & Recreation. A minimum donation of $20.00 is requested, but all donations will be accepted. Donations will be used for the continued maintenance of the trails and to support the trail management program.

Users who do not possess a valid trail permit or are found to be in noncompliance of the trail rules and regulations may be subject to a $25.00 fine.

Learn more about trail permits and register online

Performing Arts Camps

Online registration is open for the following camps:

Introduction to the Performing Arts: A citywide specialty camp for children ages 6 to 10 (campers must be 6 years old by July 1, 2013 and cannot be 11 years old before August 9, 2013) who have an expressed interest in the Performing Arts.

Young Performers Theater Camp:A performing arts camp for children, ages 9 through 18 (campers must be 9 years old before July 1, 2013) who have an expressed interest in the theater and related arts.

S.W.A.G. Week (Students with a Goal)

On Monday, March 25 PPR was among 25 vendors at the S.W.A.G. Week Opportunity Fair. The fair, held at Temple University, offered high school students a chance to learn more about summer camps, internships and jobs, as well as scholarships for college.

S.W.A.G. Week was presented by PhillyGoes2College, an initiative of the Mayor's Office of Education.

A2O: Arts & Artists Outdoors is Back!

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program are excited to welcome another diverse group of artists to our environmental artist residency program, A2O: Arts & Artists Outdoors. Each artist has been paired up with a recreation facility to lead twice weekly workshops for youth (ages 10-14), and two family and community workshops. During these sessions, each artist will lead engaging, hands-on arts activities that use a variety of media to highlight natural resources and green space near the facility. The program will end with a site-specific, collaborative work of art dedicated to and housed at the recreation facility—a perfect way to usher in spring! Apply now; programming begins the week of April 8.

Spring 2013 Artists & Recreation Centers:

• Bonnie Whitfield, Hawthorne Cultural Center
• Michael Koehler, Mander Recreation Center
• Simiya Sudduth, Max Myers Recreation Center
• Leah Girardo, Ziehler Recreation Center
• Patricia Barrera, Piccoli Playground

For applications and more information, visit a participating recreation facility or go to: www.muralarts.org/a2o

Black History Month Art Contest

The cases in the lobby on the 10th floor are now filled with pieces that were created at many of our Recreation facilities over the past few months. They were put together by children of all ages and some adults too. The pieces have been on display for the entire month of March and awards were given to many of the artists for their wonderful efforts.

Treevitalize CSA/Urban Agriculture

It is officially springtime in Philadelphia, and the beginning of the growing season!

For summer 2013, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is partnering with Penn State Extension to plant vegetable gardens at 13 recreation centers across the city as part of the Department’s new urban agriculture initiative. At each site, youth ages 6-12 years old will tend the gardens as well as learn about garden critters, composting, healthy eating and the natural world. During after-school and summer camp programs, youth will be engaged in fun garden activities and encouraged to become advocates for the environment.

In addition, we plan to connect with all generations through urban agriculture. We will be breaking ground for an Intergenerational Garden at Rivera Recreation Center in partnership with the adjacent Mann Older Adult Center. This new community space will include raised garden beds for a youth urban agriculture program and larger raised bed for seniors, who will act as garden mentors to the youth. Philadelphia Parks &Recreation, the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics and the Philadelphia Orchard Project are also collaborating on an orchard as part of the future Intergenerational Garden. Planting an orchard will expand the harvest to include fruits and berries as well as creating a beautiful gathering space for old and young alike.

Parks & Recreation is also working with the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics to utilize an alternative fundraising platform, citizinvestor.com, to raise money for the orchard project at Rivera Rec Center. Our goal is to raise $2,100 in 37 days to make this project come to life. Please invest in the lives of our Philadelphia youth, our community and the environment by pledging your tax-deductible donation today.

Help Bring Garden-based Education to Rivera Recreation Center

What’s New at Wissahickon Environmental Center

Outdoor Cooking

On a beautiful, snowy afternoon in February, families participated in a campfire cooking program at Wissahickon Environmental Center, learning how to cook up tasty concoctions in the outdoors. Parents and their young cooks feasted on dough boys, pudgie pies, shish-ka-bob, brownies baked in fresh oranges, and cake baked in a cast iron Dutch oven. The idea was to get families ready for their next camping adventure with new kid- friendly recipes that can be made over the evening campfire. Even the burnt cake tasted great in the crisp, cold air. Want to try these outdoor recipes yourself?! Contact the Tree House at (215) 685-9285 or WEC@phila.gov

Wissahickon Environmental Center has children… Blowing in the Wind

On a warm Saturday afternoon in March, children and their parents attended a kite making program at Wissahickon Environmental Center to make kites the good ol’ fashioned way--with natural materials they found in the woods and recycled newspapers.

After constructing the kites with sticks that were not so heavy that they wouldn’t fly, nor so thin that they would break, the children hiked up to the Andorra Meadows to launch the kites. There wasn’t much wind, but everyone got exercise running through the fields trying to get their kites aloft.

Video: Flip for Fitness

March 14, 2013 at Gustine Recreation Center. Click the image to launch the video

Stewardship Update

AmeriCorps Week Kick-Off Field Day & Fair at McPherson Square Park

A community play day was hosted at McPherson Square Park on Saturday, March 9 as the kickoff event for AmeriCorps Week. The event was coordinated by the Friends of McPherson Square, the McPherson Square Library, the Mayor's Office of Civic Engagement, and current AmeriCorps members and Alum for numerous organizations. AmeriCorps volunteers and community members conducted a park clean up, and AmeriCorps members along with Playworks volunteers coordinated games and activities for over 50 kids who came out to the park.

Park Stewardship Forum

The number of parks involved in the Parks Partnership Program has grown to nearly 100 Park Friend groups throughout Philadelphia.

To honor the history of this stewardship effort, discuss the present and plan for the future, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Fairmount Park Conservancy hosted a Park Stewardship Forum on February 23, to which all Park Friend groups were invited. The Forum was held at the Franklin Institute, and attendees had access to the Franklin Institute after the meeting.

Special thanks to the staff and leaders who joined us, including the special guests who helped create the Parks Program--Joan Reilly, Chief Operating Officer at the Mural Arts Program, and Maitreyi Roy, Executive Director of Bartram's Garden.

LOVE Your Park Week Preview

LOVE Your Park week is May 11-18, 2013! We will once again enjoy a week of fun activities that celebrate our fantastic parks and the folks who love them. Northeast Philly's Wissinoming Park will be the signature site for a massive cleanup and service day on May 11 and will kick off a week of awesome park events and activities.

Want to get involved? Volunteer for the kickoff service day on May 11 to spruce up your local park. Go to www.loveyourpark.org or like the LOVE Your Park page on Facebook.

Spring Open House

• District 1: Boyle, Holmesburg, Mayfair, Gifford, Tarken
• District 2: American Legion, Bridesburg, Disston, Dorsey, Heitzman, Shissler, Vogt
• District 3: Rivera, Lawncrest, Feltonville, Scanlon, McVeigh, Houseman, Piccoli, Olney
• District 4: Belfield, Emanuel, Finley, Houston, Kendrick
• District 6: Clemente, Francisville, Gathers, Lloyd Hall, M.L. King
• District 7: D. Finnegan, Shot Tower, Guerin, DiSilvestro, Smith
• District 8: Kingsessing, Shepard, Wright, F.J. Myers, Mill Creek

Parks and Recreation Commission Update

• In addition to hearing public comments on the proposed Leadership and Conservation Center in East Park at its February 27 meeting, the Commission recognized Mander baseball coach Bill Denise as its PaRC Star. Know a great park or recreation volunteer? Nominate a PaRC Star.


• On March 8 the Commission sent a letter to Mayor Michael Nutter and Council President Darrell Clarke with its determination on Temple University’s proposed boathouse. Read the Temple boathouse determination letter (PDF)

Volunteer Opportunity: Broad Street Run

The 2013 Blue Cross Broad Street Run is looking for volunteers May 3, 4 and 5! All volunteers will receive an exclusive 2013 volunteer T-shirt. Individual volunteers and groups are volunteers are needed.

Download the Broad Street Run Volunteer flier (PDF) or visit http://www.broadstreetrun.com/Community/Volunteer.cfm for more information.

Job Opportunities

Visit our Employment page for information about the following positions (and more)!

• TreeKeepers Crew Workers
• TreeKeepers Crew Coordinator
• Lifeguard I
• Lifeguard II
• Pool Equipment Operator
• Pool Maintenance Attendant