June, 2016

Comcast Donation Brings 3-D Printers, New Educational Software to PPR Computing Centers

On May 11, Comcast announced a donation of $105,000 to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s Public Access Computing Center program to purchase educational software, equipment – most notably three 3-D printers – and support staffing. These centers include 19 KEYSPOTS that are part of the city-wide KEYSPOT Network coordinated by the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy in partnership with the Office of Innovation & Technology. The 3-D printers will be installed at Kingsessing Recreation Center, Starr Garden Recreation Center and Tustin Recreation Center, and training and technical support will be provided by NextFab, a Philadelphia non-profit maker-space. The donation will promote digital inclusion in neighborhoods across the City by making technology more accessible.

Read a Technically Philly article about the Comcast donation

Indego Bike Stations near Parks & Playgrounds

PPR is excited to partner with Indego to bring another amenity–bike share–to our public spaces. Thanks to a donation from the William Penn Foundation, 24 new stations focused on connecting neighborhoods with the City’s parks and waterfront public spaces have opened this spring, joining preexisting stations near parks like Rittenhouse Square and recreation centers like Shot Tower, which opened last year.

View a full list of Indego stations near PPR parks and recreation centers, and learn what else is new with Indego this spring.

Macbeth at Venice Island

May 19-22 at 8 p.m.

Venice Island Performing Arts Center (7 Lock Street)

Murder is just business in this production of Shakespeare's classic tragedy. Macbeth is a high-ranking employee at a successful corporation, but when three Witches insist that she will rise to the position of CEO, she must decide whether she is willing to snatch that calling for herself. Shoebox Company's Macbeth takes this thrilling story of twisted ambition and smashes it into the cutthroat world of American capitalism. How do life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness lead to death, depravity, and the pursuit of power?

For tickets and more information, visit http://veniceisland.org/ or call 215-685-3583.

This performance is the very first time members of Venice Island staff have generated and built a full production from the ground up.

Launch of Google Street View Trekker

On May 16, Philadelphia became the first major city in the United States to partner with Google to capture imagery of hundreds of miles of trails, parks, and cultural attractions to add to Google’s worldwide database of maps. With one of the largest urban park systems in the United States, this is yet another “Philly First.” Staff from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in partnership with Fairmount Park Conservancy are borrowing Google’s Trekker camera equipment, hiking around these unique and amazing locations, and will share these images for processing and future inclusion as panoramic images that everyone can see and enjoy on Street View in Google Maps.

Data will be gathered between now and the end of October, to submit to Google. After a lengthy and thorough editing process, Google will upload the information to their Google Street View Maps six to twelve months after completion of the project. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy will make an announcement when the maps are ready to be unveiled to the public.

Mud Day 2016

Join us as we celebrate International Mud Day with mud kitchens, a mud bath, mud art, mud play, mud science, and more!

When: Tuesday, June 21, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Who: Children ages 2-5 (parents must stay with child)

Where: Pennypack Environmental Center (8600A Verree Road)

How: Register before Friday, June 17 by emailing mary-grace.gorman@phila.gov or calling 215-685-0427. The cost is $5 per child. A completed application and signed waiver are necessary to participate in this event.

Now Hiring: Lifeguards

PPR is looking for lifeguards for our summer pool season! Starting salary is $12.33 an hour.

Candidates 15 years or older must attend a lifeguard screening at one of our three indoor training facilities:

• Sayre Morris Swimming Pool: Monday and Friday between 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
• Pickett Swimming Pool: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday between 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
• Lincoln Pool: Tuesday and Thursday between 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

After the screening is passed, candidates must complete 21.5 hours of lifeguard training.

To learn more, visit www.phila.gov/lifeguards. Or, download one of our flyers and spread the word!

Wheel Fun Rentals at FDR Park

Just in time for the warm weather, Wheel Fun Rentals is now renting bicycles and surreys at FDR Park on the weekend!

Learn more about bike rentals at FDR Park

Spring Visual Art Show

Show Dates: May 16-June 3

Award Ceremony: Thursday, June 2 at 5pm

Gallery at City Hall & 2nd Floor

The Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Spring Art Show is a culminating event for the PPR Visual Arts Programs. Participants are given a chance to show their work and get recognized on a citywide level, while the public is exposed to the happenings of the Department’s facilities. A map of each district is provided in the exhibit with works from each district so viewers can connect the work to the location and neighborhood. Learn more about the Spring Visual Art Show.

Available Jobs

We’re hiring! Visit our Employment page to learn more.

Community Fishing Days

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will offer free Community Fishing Days at Pleasant Hill Park (8900 N. Delaware Avenue) this summer. Join us every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through August 6. We will provide equipment, bait and instruction.

For inquiries, contact PPR’s Stewardship office at (215) 683-3679.

Register for the Philadelphia Games

June 4-10 & July 16

Participate in the city’s largest annual athletic competition for seniors!  Open to all Philadelphia, Southeastern PA & Southern NJ residents ages 50+, the Philadelphia Games includes activities ranging from swimming, running and dance, to chess, shuffleboard and Scrabble.

Learn more and register at www.philadelphiagames.org

Farmers Markets in Parks

While there are several year-round farmers' markets in PPR parks, spring and summer offer expanded locations and offerings!

Check out our list of farmers markets to find fresh food options near you.

Inside Out Artwork at Disston Rec Center

Inside Out, an initiative by the Philadelphia Museum of Art that brings "inside" art pieces to communities "outside" of the museum, has installed the painting Girl in the Red Ruff to the wall at the base of the entrance steps to Disston Recreation Center (4423 Longshore Ave.). Visitors entering via the main entrance and the steps to the left will be greeted by this classic piece now through July 15.

This is one of several paintings in the Tacony community (among them one at Disston & Torresdale, and another at the Tacony Branch of the Free Library).

Girl in the Red Ruff was originally painted as an oil on canvas by Pierre-Auguste Renoir in France, in 1896.

Movies in the Park

This summer, join PPR for a series of 21 free family-friendly movie nights in neighborhood parks and playgrounds across the city.

Download the 2016 movie night schedule

Also check out the Dell Music Center’s Free Tuesday Movie Night series.

Philadelphia International Unity Cup Update

Soccer teams from across the region responded enthusiastically to participate in the Philadelphia International Unity Cup!  We are thrilled to announce that all 32 slots are filled, but we are still accepting teams who wish to be placed on the wait list in the event a team is unable to participate.

Thank you to the following teams:

North America: United States, Mexico
Caribbean: Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Haiti
Africa: Liberia, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Senegal, Congo, Ivory Coast, Sudan
Asia: Vietnam, India, South Korea, Bhutan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar
Europe: Italy, Ireland, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Turkey, Spain
South America: Colombia, Argentina
Central America: Guatemala, Honduras

Learn more about the Philadelphia International Unity Cup and how to sign up for the wait list at www.phila.gov/unitycup.

Tacony Creek Park Summer Block Parties

Join the TTF Watershed Partnership and other partners in Tacony Creek Park for the 4th Annual "Celebrate Your Park, Discover Your Creek!" Come learn about your park and your water with fun, family friendly activities, free water ice and pretzels!

The block parties are scheduled from 5-7 p.m. on:

• Tuesday, June 21 at I St and Ramona Ave - 4528 I St Philadelphia, PA 19124
• Wednesday, June 22 at Whitaker Ave and Loudon St -  635 Tampa St Philadelphia, PA 19120
• Thursday, June 23 at Tabor Rd and Olney Ave - 799 E Olney Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19120

Contact: doryan@ttfwatershed.org or 215-744-1853

PPR and City Representative’s Office to Execute Philadelphia Marathon

On April 29, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Philadelphia’s Office of the City Representative announced a formal partnership to produce the Philadelphia Marathon. As part of the partnership, changes will be made to Race Weekend, including moving the Half Marathon to Saturday, November 19, as well as modifying both the Half and Full Marathon courses to be even more runner-friendly, and increasing the prize money for the Full Marathon.

In the new collaboration, Jim Marino from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will take on the role of Race Director and City Representative Sheila Hess will function as Executive Director. Parks & Recreation, which has successfully managed the Blue Cross Broad Street Run for over 35 years, will oversee all race operations and logistics, while the Office of the City Representative will continue to handle marketing and promotion, coordination of the charity program, production of the Health & Fitness Expo, as well as management of entertainment-focused parts of Race Weekend.

Learn more about the 2016 Philadelphia Marathon at www.philadelphiamarathon.com.

Philly Stones League: A Unique Sports Opportunity in Fairmount Park

The Philly Stones League was started 10 years ago by three friends–Chris Kinka and John Janick of Philadelphia, and Jason Sizak of New York–while on a camping trip in Western New York. They invented Stones out of boredom using sports equipment that they packed with them.

Stones, also called bocce golf, combines elements of bocce, golf, chess, billiards, and basketball. It is a ball toss game that is played on a defined obstacle course. Teams, which are often duos, throw their stones at a target ball with the closest ones scoring points. With each round, the target ball advances on the course and when the end of the course is reached, the team with the most points wins.

Continue reading about Philly Stones

South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center

On May 9, the City of Philadelphia and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) unveiled the new South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center. The $42.5 million, 96,000-sqaure-foot LEED-certified facility includes DiSilvestro Playground and Recreation Center; a state-of-the-art Free Library of Philadelphia South Philadelphia Library; a Philadelphia Department of Public Health community health center; and a CHOP pediatric primary care center.

Learn more about the services the South Philly Community Health and Literacy Center will provide.

Retirements: Susan Slawson and Cynthia Douglas

Susan Slawson is retiring after eight years of dedicated service to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. In 2008, she was appointed Commissioner of Recreation by Mayor Michael A. Nutter. After the merger with the Fairmount Park Commission in 2010, Commissioner Slawson’s title was changed to First Deputy Commissioner of Recreation and Programs. In her role, she managed programming, recreation facilities, pools, the Dell Music Center, and community groups. Continue reading about Commissioner Slawson.

Cynthia D. Douglas is retiring as Chief of Staff to First Deputy Commissioner Susan Slawson after 35 years of public service. Cynthia joined PPR (then known as the Department of Recreation) as Chief of Staff in 2009, taking on a plethora of responsibilities that utilized her multifaceted background. In her seven years with PPR, Cynthia has helped to secure nearly $15 million in grant reimbursements from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for recreation capital projects. Under the direction of Commissioner Slawson, Cynthia and colleagues were instrumental in securing a Federal Keystone Grant, now known as the KEYSPOT program that provided computers and dedicated staff in nineteen recreation centers. She also worked on tasks and attended events on behalf of Commissioner Slawson, supported the efforts of the Dell Music Center, and coordinated the department’s Combined Campaign and the Red Cross Blood Drive. Continue reading about Cynthia Douglas.

2016 Broad Street Run

It was another successful year for the Broad Street Run, despite the rainy weather. Thanks to all of the staff who contributed to the planning and execution of the race and expo. Below are a few links to 2016 Broad Street Run coverage.

• View a short documentary about Joe Cook, made in partnership with 20/20 Visual Media
• Read a profile of Race Director Jim Marino
• View a video about staff and volunteer contributions to the Broad Street Run
• Read our Broad Street Run Expo recap

Philly Cup Series: Pop's Skatepark

The first skateboard competition of the 2016 Philly Cup Series was held at Pop's Skatepark on April 16.  It was a beautiful day, and over 50 competitors between the ages of 5 and 60 registered to compete. 

The next competition will be held on Saturday, June 11 at Gray's Ferry Skatepark (3600 Grays Ferry Avenue). Registration is at 11 a.m.; the competition starts at 12 p.m.

Performances in Public Spaces

This summer, Performances in Public Spaces returns for another year of free performances in public parks and plazas across the city. An initiative led by the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Performances in Public Spaces directly supports artists and performing arts organizations, encouraging collaboration and creativity between artists and performance site stewards.

This year’s performances include the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts at the Awbury Arboretum, the Olney Youth Arts Festival in Fisher Park, Mad Beatz Music Drumming at Norris Square Park, and more!

View the full list of Performances in Public Spaces

Arbor Day of Service

The last Friday in April, annually Arbor Day, started chilly and gray at the Horticulture Center in West Fairmount Park with a steaming cup of coffee provided by Bartlett Tree Experts. By 8 a.m., arborists from Bartlett and John B Ward Tree Company were staging their trucks, roping off work areas, and setting climbing lines in trees. A site work map, showing the Horticulture Center grounds, identified trees to be pruned and those to be removed, by species and sizes.

After coffee, the tree work began in earnest, accompanied by the buzzing of chainsaws and the zip zip zip of handsaws, and the climbers warning the ground men of a “headache,” as dead and dying limbs were pruned out and dropped to ground. Meanwhile, over 50 volunteers from TD Bank arrived and began weeding and mulching the 40+ trees comprising the cherry tree allee.

Continue reading about the 2016 Arbor Day celebration

What’s New at Roosevelt Playground

Villanova Hosts STEM Activity Day

On April 19, a team of students and faculty from Villanova University who have been working with children from Roosevelt Playground’s After School program for over a year held a STEM Activity Day for the kids. Continue reading about STEM Activity Day at Roosevelt Playground

National Astronomy Night

On a chilly Saturday evening, about 100 adults and children gathered to celebrate National Astronomy Night at Roosevelt Playground. Bill Freedman from the Franklin Institute brought his high-powered telescope to view the stars. The best view was Jupiter with two of its moons. Continue reading about National Astronomy Night at Roosevelt Playground.

Urban Forestry Management Class

The spring course for citizens to learn about forest management concluded on May 14 with a field day in the Pennypack.  Thirty-six citizens from around the city participated in the 6-week course discussing topics including: 

• biological diversity and ecological relationships: what are the living parts of an ecosystem, and how do they interact with each other?
• habitat components: what do plants, animals and other species need from the environment?
• ecological succession: how does a biological community grow and change through time?
  

These trained volunteers will now assist parks staff with monitoring and maintaining the restoration site at 3 Springs Hollow in Pennypack Park, as well as the other sites in Cobbs Creek Park and Wissahickon Valley Park.

Spring Talent Shows

This spring, Philadelphia’s children, teens and adults have local opportunities to present their performing arts talents at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation district talent shows. Over 250 dancers and singers have graced area stages to the delight of their peers, families, and friends. 

Shows have already been staged in District 1 (Pollock School), District 3 (Lawncrest Recreation Center), District 6 (Cecil B. Moore Recreation Center), and District 8 (Kingsessing Recreation Center). Upcoming shows will be at the Bridesburg Recreation Center (District 2), Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center (District 4), and McCall School (District 7).

Learn more and read reports from recent PPR District Talent Shows

Philadelphia Union Visits Capitolo

On May 7, the Philadelphia Union came out to Capitolo Playground and brought two of their players-- Richie Marquez and Fabinho--to run drills and play games with the kids from the neighborhood. Over 150 kids, ages 6-12, participated in the clinic. A fun time was had by all! Thanks to the Philadelphia Union for a great day!

Staff Profile: RSI Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith is what you would call a “rec rat.” He has been around Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) since childhood due to his mother’s job as a recreation leader.

At the age of 16, Kevin began working for PPR, first as a lifeguard at Kendrick Recreation Center, and then as a Recreation Specialty Instructor (RSI) at Awbury Playground, where he helped out with summer camp and other  seasonal responsibilities at the site. Some years later, Kevin began his current role, working alongside Program Director Terri Kerwawich. He now works seasonally as an RSI for PPR during the summer, and is employed full-time as a high school math teacher during the academic year.

Continue reading about Kevin Smith.

Lonnie Young Boxer Wins Golden Gloves

On April 30, Tyree Crowder won the Golden Gloves Boxing match at the Liacouras Center. Everyone from Tyree’s recreation center, Lonnie Young, is very proud of him. Lonnie Young Strong!

Tree Planting Ceremony at F.J. Myers

On May 4, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Phillies, and Philadelphia Gas Works held a Home Runs for Trees event at Francis J. Myers Recreation Center, with the help of the Phanatic and kids from the rec center.