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MAY, 2014

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Dear Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Colleagues:


Happy May, Everyone! While this may be the May edition of the newsletter, you should be reading this in plenty of time to join us between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on April 30 at The Oval for the public launch of our department’s new “Find Your Path” brand. Mayor Nutter, and other special guests, will be joining us for the special announcement in complement to the four-hour long showcase of department exhibits and activities. I welcome and encourage you, along with your family and friends, to join us at this celebration.


In addition to this event, there are plenty of other opportunities for celebration in May. Only four days after our brand launch, we will be conducting one of our annual events involving over 40,000 of our close friends, the Blue Cross Broad Street Run. This is one more amazing event that our department provides for the City and is one that has become a regional hallmark of spring. Another benchmark event is Love Your Park Week, which we operate in partnership with the Fairmount Park Conservancy. During Love Your Park Week, there are planned activities at eighty-nine parks around the city and the fun kicks off on Saturday, May 10 with the grand opening of the Pumptrack at Parkside-Evans Playground, the first such facility in the city. And don’t forget about May 17, which is the date for our citywide Rec Center Open House. Citizens in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia will learn more about their local recreation facilities and the activities that are readily available.


So as you can see, May is the launching point for a whole lot more than our new brand, and I want to thank you all for the daily role you play in making this all possible.


 

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Branding Launch Announcement & Showcase


with Mayor Michael Nutter and Deputy Mayor Michael DiBerardinis
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Wednesday, April 30 from 3:00 - 7:00 PM


The Oval (Eakins Oval, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway)


Entertainment includes:

  • Live DJ
  • Karaoke
  • Line dancing
  • Sports activities
  • Outdoor climbing wall
  • Arts & crafts
  • Environmental education activities
  • Music, dance and drama demonstrations
  • Entertainment from the Mummers
  • Food truck samples
  • And more!

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TreePhilly Arbor Day Special


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For Arbor Day, TreePhilly, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Fairmount Park Conservancy have partnered with Yards Brewing Company for “Arbrew Day” on Friday, April 25. Free TreePhilly trees will be available at Bourbon Blue, Kite and Key, Grey Lodge, Frankford Hall and City Tap House between 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. along with fun photo opportunities and prizes!


Download the Arbrew Day poster (PDF)


Also, TreePhilly is proud to report that its spring Yard Tree Giveaways were a complete success! We gave away about 1,500 trees, and had record turnout at all six events. Thanks to everyone who helped spread the word and assisted at the events.

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Sheep Shearing Festival

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Spring is sheep shearing time at Fox Chase Farm. Mark your calendars for the annual sheep shearing festival on Saturday, April 26, 12 p.m.-4 p.m. when the wooly flock gets their annual haircuts.


Experience everything sheep at this family-friendly event with wool carding and combing, spinning and wool dyeing demonstrations and sheep-themed crafts for kids. Enjoy live music in front of the hay barn by the popular Philly band, Celtic Connection. Try candle making (take home your own lighting creation), old-fashioned potato sack races and hayrides in the farm fields. Meet the farm’s chickens, goats, cows, pigs and horses. This year will also feature a special agricultural activity area in partnership with the Philadelphia Science Festival.


Event is $3.00 adults & children. Fox Chase Farm is a 112-acre educational farm in our very own Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, located at 8500 Pine Road at Pennypack Creek in Northeast Philadelphia. Call (215) 685-0470 for additional information.


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Updates from Water Tower Recreation Center


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On April 12, Water Tower Rec Center held the "Princess/King" Dance, hosted by Thunder Cats Gymnastics. An award-winning, co-educational gymnastics program that has been housed at Water Tower since its inception, Thunder Cats welcomes children, ages 4 to 18 years old, who compete in USAG-sanctioned meets from levels 2 and up. At the inaugural event on April 12, young ladies enjoyed refreshments and dancing at Water Tower with their special dates. For more information on the program, call (215) 685-9296.


The Water Tower Recreation Center will be hosting Comcast Cares Day on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. As one of three Comcast-selected sites that day, Water Tower will benefit from more than 100 volunteers including Chestnut Hill neighbors, program participants, Comcast employees, their families, friends and other partners who will spruce up the historic building inside and out with prep work, scraping, taping, spackling and painting, as well as general interior and exterior cleanup, raking and planting. All participants will receive a special T-shirt. Volunteers who wish to join should register online.


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Master Gardener Plant Sale & Garden Day

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Sunday, May 4, 2014


11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.


Horticulture Center (100 N. Horticultural Drive, 19131)


This plant sale and garden day will be a one-stop shop for plants, information, hands-on learning and demonstrations of gardening excellence. Stop by to shop for your annuals, perennials, edibles and herbs or planted containers and soil test kits. Join in a children’s craft project or the trough demonstration for adults. Take a self-guided tour of the Butterfly and Edible Garden or help plant the second stage of the Food Forest Orchard being grown in partnership with the Philadelphia Orchard Project. Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions about the demonstration gardens, help you select the right plant for your gardening needs and help with any gardening questions.


Download the Master Gardener Plant Sale & Garden Day flyer


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LOVE Your Park Week

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The 2014 LOVE Your Park Week kicks off on May 10 with a service day at parks citywide, as well as a ribbon cutting and PumpJam event at the Philly Pumptrack. Special events continue through May 17. LOVE Your Park Week is a citywide celebration of Philadelphia’s diverse parks, featuring eight days of service projects, fun events, educational programs, family activities, tours, and more – at over 100 parks throughout Philadelphia! LOVE Your Park Week is a collaborative initiative between Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, the Fairmount Park Conservancy, and park friends groups throughout the city.


Download the LOVE Your Park Week poster


Also, stay tuned to www.phila.gov/parksandrecreation for details on Spring Open House locations at recreation centers and playgrounds across the city on Saturday, May 17.


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Spring Open House at Playgrounds and Recreation Centers

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Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is pleased to announce the Second Annual Spring Open House happening on Saturday, May 17! This is an opportunity for PPR staff and advisory council members to work together to welcome members of their community to their centers. This event is a great way to showcase the great activities going on at our playgrounds and recreation facilities, as well as a chance to sign people up to participate and volunteer for these activities. All facilities are encouraged to participate. Please register through your district manager.


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Bridesburg Memorial Day 5K Run and Honor Walk

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The Bridesburg Memorial Day 5K Run and Honor Walk will take place on Saturday, May 17, starting at 8:30 a.m. (run), with the walk to follow at 8:40 a.m. Cost is $30 for the run; $15 for the walk. Registration information can be gleaned by visiting the Bridesburg 5K Facebook group, or via email at bridesburg5k@gmail.com. On-site registration will also take place at Bridesburg Recreation Center the morning of the race, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Bridesburg Memorial Day Parade, America's longest active such parade.


Watch a video about the Bridesburg 5K


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Spring at The Oval

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  • From May 22-24, PHAIR Open Air/Artisan Market will transform The Oval into an artisan market with live music, artists and local vendors of food and handmade sundries, as well as the city's best gourmet food trucks.


    Stay tuned to future issues for details on The Oval’s return for its Summer Season from mid-July through mid-August.


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2014 Picnic Permitting

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The Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Special Events Office hosted its annual Picnic Opening Day at the CASE Building on March 5, 2014--two days later than normal due to the snow! In a little over four hours, Laina Foust and the Special Events Office assisted 150 families in finding their perfect summer picnic site.


Every year, PPR staff issues over 2,000 picnic permits for sites throughout the city.


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PPR Easter Events

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Vogt Recreation Center: On a warm and sunny Saturday morning, April 12, Vogt Recreation Center held a breakfast with the Easter Bunny and Easter egg hunt for over 200 neighborhood children.


Children were served a gourmet pancake breakfast and had their pictures taken with the Easter Bunny. They were then treated to arts & crafts by Vogt ARL Trudy Keegan, followed by an egg hunt through the playground in pursuit of 2,000 Easter eggs spread throughout the play areas and fields. Children finding specially marked eggs received grand Easter prizes. The entire Vogt community had a fantastic time. A special thank you to the Vogt Advisory Council, Vogt volunteers, Steve Schmidt, LR1 and Dan Delete, RSI.


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Wissinoming Park: On April 12, Wissinoming Park, with the help of community volunteers, hosted 50 children at its Easter Egg Hunt. The weather was beautiful, the children were excited and the volunteers were thrilled to see all of those smiling faces. With over 800 eggs, 64 prizes and loads of candy, everyone went home happy. The Friends of Wissinoming Park would like to thank the Fairmount Park Conservancy for its generous grant that helped to make the event such a great success.


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Poquessing Creek Trail


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In early April, work commenced on a new 1.5-mile, paved, multi-use trail connecting Junod Playground in the Parkwood neighborhood to the 32-acre naturally wooded section of Poquessing Creek Park. The trail follows the recommendations of the Poquessing Creek Trail Master Plan and was a top priority of the Philadelphia Trail Master Plan. Funding for the trail was provided by PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and City of Philadelphia funds.


The trail utilizes two easements, with the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) and Origlio Beverage Company, allowing the trail to be completely off-road. The trail makes an important off-road connection between the Parkwood neighborhood, Poquessing Creek Park and the 500-acre Benjamin Rush State Park, where the new trail construction ends. The trail features gateways at trailheads, benches, landscaping, ADA parking spaces and new tree plantings. Construction will continue throughout the coming months with an anticipated ribbon cutting in late 2014 or early 2015. Upon completion, park users will have access to acres of natural areas at Philadelphia’s northernmost edge for walking, biking, horseback riding, bird watching and recreation.


View the proposed Poquessing Creek Trail map


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2014 Drive Closures and Detours

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Download PDF’s with the spring, summer and fall detours and closures of MLK Drive, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Kelly Drive.


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Checking in with… Jacqueline Gilbert

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Former lifeguard Jacqueline Gilbert, daughter of RSI Donna Gilbert, recently shared her remarkable story of recovery following a traumatic brain injury with Magee Rehab’s Can Do! Magazine (page 4). Last July, Jacqueline was profiled in the Philly.com article "Believe in a Way Back: Jacqueline Gilbert."


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TreeKeepers Update


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The TreeKeepers program couldn’t have been prouder to have Alison Burdo of NBC10 online spend some time with our crew earlier this month. She watched our crew clear large areas of invasive species from the grounds of the Horticulture Center in advance of the Cherry Blossom Festival and interviewed our crew member Jorge Vera on the positive impacts of being involved with TreeKeepers. Check out the details in this great article!


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Scanlon Ice Rink Annual Show

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On April 4 and 5, Scanlon Ice Rink hosted its 51st Annual Ice Show. The ice show is one of the biggest events at Scanlon every year, and this year was no exception with over 100 children participating in 24 different acts along with hundreds of spectators. The show, which included group acts and solo acts that showed off the hard work and practice of every child, could not have happened without Scanlon’s two dedicated teachers, Michelle Shaw and Kennedy McCabe. Shaw and McCabe teach skating lessons and choreograph the ice show, and many volunteers help with the kids, costumes, concession stand and anything else that needs to be done. The show serves as proof that there is a strong and caring family at the Scanlon Ice Rink.


View photos of the 51st Annual Ice Show


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5 Words Highlights

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We received many wonderful submissions in response to our internal call for five words that describe what PPR means to you or your community. A small sampling is below; stay tuned to PPR on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram to see more of what we received.


  • Where Creative People Work Together (Alberta Gibson, Recreation Leader, John Anderson Cultural Center)
  • Engagement, Community, Healthy, Happiness, Activity (Andrew Emma, TreeKeepers Program Manager/ TreePhilly Campaign Assistant)
  • Community, Competition, Friendships, Pride, Leadership (Anthony Spadaccini, Recreation Leader, Barry Playground)
  • Reinventing Past for the Future! (Robin Klink, Administrative Systems Manager)
  • A vocation not a job (George Kilcullen, Recreation Leader, Rizzo Rink)
  • Beauty, Tranquil, Challenge, Life, Memories (Trish Fries, Environmental Education Program Specialist)
  • [pictured above] Smiles, Growth, Opportunity, Connection, Diversity (Yadira Curet, Rec Leader Trainee, Feltonville Rec Center)

Thank you to everyone who submitted 5 Words. If you have not submitted five words yet, it’s not too late! Simply email parksandrecreation@phila.gov your five words and, if you have one, a picture or drawing that illustrates those words.


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PPR Hosts Society for Ecological Restoration Tour


By Tom Witmer, Operations Manager, Natural Lands Restoration
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On March 22, PPR’s Urban Forestry & Ecosystem Management Division hosted a field trip in Wissahickon Valley as part of the annual conference of the Society for Ecological Restoration mid-Atlantic chapter. The 22 (or so) participants toured four PPR project sites and one PWD project site, all on park land. The five sites were:


  1. Houston Meadow reclamation – a 47-acre meadow/shrubland/forest restoration targeting improved habitat for 24+ species of migratory songbirds
  2. Wises Mill stormwater wetland (PWD) – construction of 3 basins to capture and treat runoff (by “bleeding” it from the storm sewer) from the sub-watershed for 70% of storm events
  3. Saul High School bioinfiltration swale – 1,000-foot long vegetated swale in pasture field to slow and infiltrate stormwater and prevent animal wastes from reaching the Wissahickon Creek
  4. Saul High School gully repair – re-shaping and rock-armoring a 250-long eroding stormwater gully on a steep forested slope. Includes filling, closing and rerouting a poorly-sited trail.
  5. District 4 yard stormwater management/gully repair – Filling a deeply-eroding (10+ feet) gully 1,000 feet long on a steep forested slope. Creating several features to capture and infiltrate stormflows upslope. Also filling and reconfiguring 1,000 feet of eroding trail.

These projects were constructed at different times from 2009 through 2012.


Most of the field trip participants are employed in natural resources fields and included representatives from private, government, and non-profit sectors. Having a sunny, 60+ degree day (one of the first in months) was a fortunate condition for the day’s outing!


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Swimming Lessons for After School Programs

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On April 3, three of PPR’s After School Program REACH sites began a six-week swimming lesson program at both the Sayre Morris and Lincoln Swimming Pools. The sites participating are Vare, McVeigh and James Wright, with more than 70 children total.


The children were eager to enter the water with varying levels of knowledge and experience with swimming. Some children were excited, some nervous and some fearful, but so far everyone is having a good time along with the Water Safety Instructors and Lifeguards working at the pools.


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Young-ish PPR Update

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We are planning two events in the near future:


Saturday, May 31 (1-3 p.m.): Young-ish PPR Families at Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse


Thursday, June 5 (evening): Kayaking on the Schuylkill River


Please email moria.miller@phila.gov if you would like to be added to our email list.


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Hot Chocolate Run

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Over 7,500 participants enjoyed the inaugural Hot Chocolate 5K & 15K Run held at Eakins Oval, Benjamin Franklin Parkway and MLK Drive on Sunday, April 6, 2014. Along with a steaming cup of hot chocolate, participants were thrilled to receive a finishers mug filled with delicious treats to dip in the melted chocolate! Yum!


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PPR Budget Testimony

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On April 2, 2014 PPR leadership gave testimony before City Council at its annual budget hearing. Read the Fiscal Year 2015 testimony.


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PPR Goes to PRPS

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This year, the Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society (PRPS) held its 67th annual state conference at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Several staff members from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation traveled to the conference, to present, to emcee and to learn. PPR-led workshops included:


  • Community Safety Strategy (Kathleen Muller, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Ed Fagan, Director of Strategic Engagement)
  • Organizing a Safety Summit in Your Community (Moria Miller, Executive Policy Assistant and Alain Joinville, Public Affairs Coordinator)
  • Emergency Preparedness for Special Events: Parks and Recreation's Role When Local Disasters Happen (Jim Marino, Race Director)

In addition, both Kathi Muller and Barry Bessler, Chief of Staff for Parks & Facilities, served on conference committees—Kathi on the Program Committee and Barry on the Recognition and Awards Committee.


Philadelphia Parks & Recreation received an Excellence in Programming Award for Mantua in Action, a youth development program that responds to community need in one of the city’s most impoverished and high crime neighborhoods. This award is in recognition of the recreation programming that Rob Jackson (James Wright RC), Khadijah Muhammad (Miles Mack Playground) and their staff conduct throughout the year. A separate award presentation will take place this spring to honor the PPR staff.


Finally, staff attended workshops ranging from “Understanding Cross-Cultural Communications and Decoding Our Prejudice” to “Overcoming the ‘Invisible Wounds of War’,” “Super Skills for the Dynamic Day Camp,” “Succession Planning” and “Orienteering: Finding Its Way to Your Site!”


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Photo: Phillie Phanatic at Opening Day

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Chestnut Hill Youth Sports Club Baseball enjoyed a wondering Opening Day on Saturday, April 19, complete with a visit from the Phillie Phanatic!


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Update from the Standards Unit

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  • The Standards Unit hosted an energy workshop/discussion at Gustine Recreation Center with 15 staff members, including Managers, Facility Supervisors and Skilled Trades staff. The meeting focus was improving communication between the units as it relates to energy conservation.
  • The month of December showed a 6.38% city-wide reduction in electricity use. The month of December was matched to a three-year baseline.
  • Cobbs Creek Rec Center has shown a consistent drop in electricity usage in 5 out of the last 6 months measured. Behavioral changes and the installation of efficiency products, as part of the coherence project, are the contributing factors.
  • Two RSI Inspectors started work on March 31.
  • The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability participated in the citywide Supervisors Training Day on April 11.
  • Standards Manuals were given to the District 8 Facility Supervisors
  • Inspections began in District 8 the week of April 14. We will move to other districts each month. The plan is to evaluate the asset features (restrooms/entryways) and create a priority list of work orders that will bring those features to standard. It is our hope to have minor cosmetic repairs completed by the PowerCorps team.
  • After the initial inspections, RSI Inspectors will create a PowerPoint presentation for Supervisors to provide a visual view of expectations of the program.

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Tell Us Your Story!


We Help People Grow, That’s What We Do.
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Through the stewardship of our natural and cultural resources, the structured activities at our bustling recreation centers and the preservation of our city’s rich history, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation connects people to new pathways in life.


Let us know how you or someone you know embodies PPR and “Find Your Path” by sharing your story. If you can you answer one or more of the following questions, we want to hear from you!


  • How did you “Find Your Path” to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation?
  • Tell us how you’ve grown within the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation department.
  • Can you describe how PPR helps Philadelphians “Find Their Path”?
  • What are 5 words that describe what Philadelphia Parks & Recreation means to you?

Please email parksandrecreation@phila.gov to share your story.

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Pennsylvania's 2014-18 Outdoor Recreation Plan Online Survey

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Pennsylvania is developing its next five-year outdoor recreation plan, which will help to guide future recreation investments, policies and facilities. Please fill out this short survey so the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources can understand what is important to you when you recreate outdoors.

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Energy-saving Field Light Initiative

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As a reminder, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is piloting a field lighting energy conservation initiative. PPR is using field lights only Monday to Friday, dusk to 10:30 p.m., mid-March through December. Field lights will be turned off at all other times, reducing energy usage by lowering the amount of time fields are lit while not in use. If you see field lights on at a PPR facility at non-designated times, please email PPR.EnergySaver@phila.gov.


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Energy-saving Tip of the Month

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Clean the coils on the bottom or back of the refrigerator several times a year to keep the unit operating properly.


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