JUlY, 2014

2014 Outdoor Swimming Pool Openings

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation swimming pools begin opening on June 20, starting with Cruz Playground. All pools will be open by July 1 and operate for six weeks. Download the 2014 Pool Opening Schedule (subject to change).

To read pool descriptions and staff profiles written by a community member, visit the Philly Public Pools blog.

The Philly Cup Series 2014

3rd Annual Inner City Skateboard Series

Don’t miss Philadelphia’s premier inner city skateboard point series. All proceeds raised go to maintaining and building new parks in Philadelphia, as well as to after school educational skateboard programs.

• May 31 Grays Ferry Crescent

• June 21 Pop’s

• July 12 McCreesh

• August 16 Whitehall

• September 13 Paine’s Park

All events run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Divisions: 12 and under, 13-15, 16-18 and Open

$5 entry fee. Sign ins at 11 a.m., contest at 12 p.m. Lunch/drinks provided to all entrants of the contest. More info is available at www.franklinspaine.com

It’s A Small World at The Oval

Start your summer with a day of friendly international competition and BMW MINI cars at “It’s a Small World at The Oval” on June 21 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. From local food and drinks to the highest level of international competition, this one-day-only event features fun, free activities for all ages, complete with food trucks, beer gardens, games, a movie and even a BMW MINI rally throughout Fairmount Park on an exciting course that ends back at The Oval.

View the full schedule of It’s a Small World After All events

Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra at The Dell

On June 21 at 7 p.m., the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra will perform a free concert at the Dell Music Center in honor of National Music Day. Learn more on the Dell Community Events webpage.

And don’t forget… the Essence of Entertainment series at the Dell kicks off on July 10 with The O’Jays, Will Downing and Chrisette Michele!

Bartram’s Garden Community River Fest

Sunday, June 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit Bartram's Garden for a fun, free, family-friendly event. Free kayak and canoe rentals, free ferry boat rides, a floating ice cream barge, boat parade, petting zoo, mega farmers’ market, free food and refreshments and much more.

Learn more about the Bartram’s Garden Community River Fest

16th Annual Youth Anti-violence Health Awareness Initiative

Myers Recreation Center, in collaboration with Resurrection Ministries, YOACAP, SCOP, Haven Youth Center, IDAAY, Educators 4 Education, Southwest EPIC Stakeholders and Southwest Community Advisory Group, is hosting its "16th Annual Youth Anti-Violence Health Awareness Initiative 2014 Festival" at Myers Recreation Center, 58th & Chester Avenue, on Friday, June 27, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please contact Mr. James A. Gordon at (267) 319-1104, Jamesgordon5@hotmail.com or Ms. Ryekisha N. Coffie at (215) 851-1878, Ryekisha@yoacap.org for Vendor Information.

For any questions and/or additional information, please contact Mr. Jaleel Williford at (215) 873-3774.

Learn more about this event

Learn more about becoming a vendor at this event

Laura Sims Skatehouse Pre-holiday Celebration & Family Fun Night Kick-off

Tuesday, July 1, 6-8 p.m.

Laura Sims Skatehouse (63rd and Walnut Streets)

Friends of Laura Sims Skatehouse in Cobbs Creek Park sponsors its annual event opening the summer roller skating season which runs through August. The festivities include roller skating, table tennis, arts and crafts, games and puzzles, and summer refreshments. Plus, our special guests the Philly Roller Girls will perform specialty skating routines and skate with the children!

Free admission; $3 skate rental. All ages welcome

For more information, call (215) 685-1995 or email laurasimsskate@aol.com.

July and August Rolling Skating Schedule

• Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Summer Day Care Camps Session (registration required; call 215-685-1995)
• Monday to Friday, 3-4:30 p.m. Public skating
• Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. Family Fun Night for children and adults

Arts & crafts, games, snacks, table tennis

Free admission at all times; $3 skate rental

2014 Wawa Welcome America! Festival

Don’t miss another great year of free musical performances and fireworks on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (part of the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation system) this July 4! 2014 performers include The Roots, Ed Sheeran, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Hudson, Aloe Blacc, Ariana Grande and Vicci Martinez.

Wawa Welcome America! is a multi-day festival held in Philadelphia each year that provides a variety of FREE events and activities for residents and visitors to celebrate America’s birthday, in America’s birthplace.

PPR Summer Camps

This summer, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will operate over 130 camps throughout the city. From neighborhood camps to sports camps (rowing, tennis, swimming, golf), to performing arts and visual works, to environmental education and outdoor recreation, to special needs camps, we have something for everyone. Visit our Camps webpage or download the Summer Camps brochure (PDF) to learn more.

PPR Wins Three Preservation Awards; Partner Honored

At the 21st Annual Preservation Achievement Awards, presented on June 4 by the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation won three “Grand Jury Awards.” The projects honored include restoration of the Rittenhouse Square masonry elements (in partnership with the Friends of Rittenhouse Square), The Fountain of the Sea Horses on Water Work Drive (in partnership with the Department of Public Property) and the Saylor Grove Guard Box in Wissahickon Valley Park (in partnership with the Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust). Additionally, the Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust received the Rhoda and Permar Richards Award for Service to the Preservation Alliance for their Homeowner Workshop Program. This initiative, begun in 2006, has educated nearly 3,000 people at 150 workshops in proper maintenance and do-it-yourself preservations projects. Congratulations to the Trust and PPR staff involved in the award-winning projects.

Fun, Safe, Philly Summer Kick Off

On May 29 at Martin Luther King Recreation Center, Mayor Michael Nutter kicked off another year of Fun, Safe Philly Summer programming and opportunities.

Fun Safe Philly Summer, now in its third year, is a collaborative project across City agencies, departments and external partners. The initiative identifies structured programming, like camps, sports teams and reading circles; and drop-in activities, open to anyone, like a visit to a public library, using a computer at a KEYSPOT community center and more.

In addition, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fun Safe Philly Summer will host “Pop Up” events in partnership with the Philadelphia Soul and other partners. The 2014 Fun Safe Philly Summer “Pop Up” events will be hosted from 5-8 p.m., the dates and locations are as follows:

• July 9, 5 - 8 p.m. Philadelphia Soul Football and Cheer Clinic (Chew Playground)

• July 23, 5 - 8 p.m. Pool Party (Mander Playground)

• July 30, 5 - 8 p.m. Skateboarding Tournament (Paine's Park)

• August 6, 5 - 8 p.m. Ice Skating (Scanlon Ice Rink)

• August 13, 5 - 8 p.m. Pump & Jump (Pumptrack)

Learn more about summer opportunities for youth

Video: Find Your Path to the Arts at M.L. King

Watch Mr. Moses from the Martin Luther King Recreation Center speak about teaching art to children.

Broad Street Run by the Numbers

The numbers are in… this year 15,784 men and 19,385 women finished the 35th Annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run on May 4, for a grand total of 35,169 runners.

Congrats to the 2014 runners, and thank you to all the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation staff and volunteers who made the event a success!

View more Broad Street Run stats

Roxy Paine’s Symbiosis

On June 6, the Association for Public Art (aPA) celebrated the arrival of internationally acclaimed artist Roxy Paine’s Symbiosis (2011) on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The public art, installed in Iroquois Park beginning May 27, explores the tension between chaos and order in natural law, and will remain on site for one year. Never before publicly exhibited, Symbiosis is on temporary loan, courtesy of the artist and Marianne Boesky Gallery in New York, and is presented by the Association for Public Art in cooperation with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.

Trust for Public Land ParkScore Index

According to the Trust for Public Land’s 2014 ParkScore report, PPR’s assets are serving 92% of Philadelphians.

View more stats about our system in the ParkScore Index

Campaign for Grade Level Reading

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is partnering with the Campaign for Grade Level Reading and the Free Library of Philadelphia to offer fun literacy programming this summer. The Campaign for Grade Level Reading is a national campaign designed to ensure children are reading on grade level by 4th grade. PPR will hire seasonal staff to offer fun and engaging activities that enhance the joy of reading at select REACH pilot locations.

Photos: William Dick School Ribbon Cutting

On June 10, Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Superintendent Dr. William Hite, Deputy Mayor Michael DiBerardinis and The Trust for Public Land made two announcements regarding the City’s efforts to green schoolyards and recreation centers. Construction is nearly complete on a new schoolyard at William Dick Elementary School which will officially open to students and the community later this summer. Across the street from the school, construction is beginning at Hank Gathers Recreation Center.

Both projects are part of Philadelphia’s Greenworks Philadelphia plan, specifically the Green2015 initiative: Mayor Nutter’s comprehensive plan to significantly increase outdoor recreational opportunities and green infrastructure in underserved neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia.

View more photos of the William Dick School ribbon cutting

Read more about the William Dick School and Gathers Rec Center announcements

Pleasant Playground Now Open

After more than 10 years of city and neighborhood planning, the revitalized Pleasant Playground has come to fruition. Based in part on the Holmesburg Recreation Center, also designed by Buell Kratzer Powell, the flexible Pleasant Playground building – featuring durable and brightly colored structural glazed facing tile on the exterior and vandal-resistant fixtures and energy efficient HVAC systems on the interior – has become a cost-effective and sustainable prototype building for the city’s recreation program. The Pleasant Playground community recreation complex includes a new enclosed activity center, outdoor playground, improved walking trails and paths around the playing fields, with a phased plan to add a future gymnasium. The design captures the corner of Chew Avenue and Slocum Street to give the building a better street presence and connection to its East Mount Airy neighborhood. Future plans for the complex include a new forecourt and pedestrian entrance to the park on what is now Slocum Street.

View more pictures of Pleasant Playground

RECvolution Conference

On May 23, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation hosted the 1st Annual RECvolution Conference, the culminating professional development event for the REACH program pilot locations. REACH is PPR’s youth development system housing after-school programs, summer day camps and youth workforce programs.

Continue reading about the RECvolution Conference

Farm Philly Update

Farm Philly’s recreation center gardens are flourishing! As spring after-school programs come to an end, kids are harvesting broccoli, collards, kale and strawberries, while beans, tomatoes, squash, herbs and melons are starting to take over the gardens just in time for summer camp to begin! Our Garden Educators are busy putting together lessons that include everything from starting a garden, to entomology, to making nutritious snacks with the garden produce.

While students at Capitolo Recreation Center enjoyed the fruits of their labor last week as they made smoothies using the spinach and strawberries they harvested from the garden, the kids at McVeigh Recreation Center proudly displayed the beautiful garden sign they made during one of their weekly lessons. These kids love and take pride in their gardens, and the abundance of fruits, vegetables and flowers growing are just part of the proof.

Thanks to the advisory councils at Capitolo Recreation Center and Emanuel Recreation Center, two brand new pollinator gardens are blooming with black-eyed susans, daylilies, lavender and more. Keep an eye out for individuals in your neighborhood who are actively enhancing their garden know-how, and do not be surprised if you find yourself walking next to a new strawberry patch, berry bush or even kiwi vine as our plants begin to bear fruit. From Columbus Square to Palmer Playground, and from Lee Cultural Center to Jardel Recreation Center the city is blossoming!

View more photos of our Junior Farmers program and learn more about Urban Agriculture

Rob Armstrong Honored by Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed

On May 21, Tookany/Tacony-Frankford (TTF) honored Rob Armstrong, PPR Preservation & Capital Projects Manager, for his work to improve Tacony Creek Park access and health. Armstrong, along with Rick Howley, Environmental Engineer with the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), was cited for his work to “garner support for the park and ensure that stream and trail design respect both the park environment and public concerns.”

Rick leads PWD’s stream restoration efforts and Rob leads PPR’s trail and gateway initiative.

PowerCorpsPHL was also recognized as a TTF Watershed Municipal Leader for its help planting and pruning trees and removing trash and invasive species.

What Are Your 5 Words?

Featured Pathfinder: Boxing Coach Mitchell Allen

Mitchell Allen has been in the boxing game for more than sixty years, and is still going strong as the longtime coach at West Philly's Shepard Recreation Center at 57th & Haverford Avenue. Allen began training boxers in 1950, after a professional fighting career that found him in the ring with Joey Giardello, Johnny Bernardo, Speedy Lawrence, Joey Falco, Billy Wyatt and Joe Bonadies during the late 1940s.

Over the years, Allen trained professionals like Marvin Mack, Von Clay, Todd Unthank-May and his grandson Damon Allen (currently 8-0). However, Mitch is best known as a trainer of top amateur talent.

During his career as an amateur coach, his fighters have won twenty-one national championships. Most recently (2011), he guided Damon Allen to the Olympic trials, and both Dylan Price and Mark Dawson to USA Boxing #1 rankings and National titles.

On March 5, 2005, the Shepard Rec boxing gym was officially renamed the “Mitchell Allen Boxing Gym” by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in honor of Allen’s long service and record of excellence.

Video: June 2014 After School Report

View the final monthly report for the 2013-14 Bridesburg Rec After School Program year.

Energy-saving Tip of the Month

Change your ceiling fan's position to "up" and run the fan on "low" to help circulate the warm air trapped at the ceiling.

Photos: May 17 Open House

View photos of the May 17 Open House at various recreation centers and playgrounds

Tell Us Your Story!

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 fill out our Find Your Path story form with your answer(s).

Commission on Parks and Recreation Update

Fitler Square Volunteer Receives PaRC Star Pathfinder Award

Congratulations to Pat Henningsen. A lifelong resident of the Fitler Square, Center City neighborhood, Pat “found her path” as a dedicated member of the Fitler Square Improvement Association. She was recognized for her accomplishments by the Parks and Recreation Commission at the latest Commission public meeting. The beauty of Fitler Square is a reflection of the effort Pat has expended on a daily basis for decades. Few anywhere have a greater love for and dedication to Fitler Square, and we are grateful for her efforts as vice president of the Fitler Square Improvement Association. You can nominate a PaRC Star Pathfinder today at the Commission’s Facebook page.

Commission on Parks and Recreation Supports Canoe House Lease Agreement with Temple University

The Commission expressed full support for the lease agreement that will allow Temple Rowing teams to use a portion of the East Park Canoe House as a permanent home. In a letter to Councilwoman Cindy Bass, Commission Chair Nancy Goldenberg applauded the City and Temple University for “reaching a compromise that both honors the Open Lands Protection Ordinance and provides Temple students with a well-deserved rowing facility.” Bill 140450 was subsequently approved and referred by City Council's Committee on Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs. Read the Commission’s letter of support (PDF).

Energy-saving Field Light Initiative

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.