JULY, 2015

Be Outside Teen Adventure Summer Program

Mondays-Thursdays, June 22-July 30, 2015, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

$250.00 camp fee

Locations: Gustine Recreation Center (4868 Ridge Avenue) OR Chalfont Playground (4330-40 Deerpath Lane)

The Be Outside Teen Adventure Program is a multidimensional experience for teens ages 12-14 years-old, focused on outdoor activities, career exploration, financial management and social responsibility.

Download the Be Outside brochure to learn more about this two-pronged program. To request an application, contact Katie Ann Wimsey via email at katie.a.wimsey@phila.gov.

2015 Parks & Rec Summer Movie Nights

Remember the old Drive-In movies? (Neither do we.) But back in the good ol’ days, an open air movie theater was the norm, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation has been a blockbuster team behind summer movie nights in our local parks for more than a decade! Nowadays, almost every hip and happening outdoor space in Philly seems to be having outdoor movie nights--but it all started with PPR!

It was during the terms of Mayor John F. Street when Neighborhood Transformation Initiative funds (better known as NTI money) allowed the Recreation Department to purchase an inflatable outdoor movie system and began screening movies in the parks. It was a great way for community interaction and involvement by getting residents to be in their parks when the sun went down.

Every summer, about two dozen movies are shown throughout the City of Philadelphia with our movie system. The movie crew is made up of the Stewardship Department and aided by our excellent staff electricians who make sure we have power in the locations to show the movie. If there were Olympics for movie screen setup, our team would win the gold medal! Like a well-oiled machine, our setup takes us 15 minutes from start to finish.

As of press time, Parks & Rec has 14 movies scheduled for the summer across the city in our parks. Venice Island and The Dell are also screening movies on Friday nights throughout the summer, and The Oval has weekly movies nights throughout its summer season.

All movies are free to the public-- all you have to do is bring your blanket or lawn chair! If a movie night is sponsored by a Park Friends group or Recreation Advisory Council, they might sell some refreshments like bottled water, water ice and popcorn! Here is the up-to-date movie schedule for our parks this summer: (Titles TBA; movies start at dusk!)

Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center News

VI Live Outdoors

Thursdays and Fridays through July 2 & 3, 5-10 p.m.

Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center (7 Rector Street in Manayunk)

Join us this spring and summer as we celebrate the outdoor space at Venice Island! Philadelphia Parks & Recreation presents VI Live Outdoors, a festive series of family fun featuring movie nights, live music, food trucks, and activities for kids and adults. Upcoming themes include Arts (June 18, 19), Kids Power! (June 25, 26) and Patriotic (July 2, 3).

Learn more at www.facebook.com/VeniceIsland

Dodgeball League

Registration is open for Venice Island’s first ever dodgeball leagues for adults and children! Leagues begin July 9 and continue through the summer, culminating in playoffs and a championship.

Cost for adults: Individuals $15 ($10 each if you come with a complete team)

Cost for children: FREE

Learn more and register for the VI Dodgeball League

PPR Recognized for Energy Conservation Achievements

On June 9, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation was presented with a $28,159.16 check in recognition of energy conservation achievements and performance in the Energy Efficiency Incentive Pilot program. The check was presented by the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and represents the expected cost savings for fiscal year 2015. The Energy Efficiency Incentive Program, an initiative of Greenworks Philadelphia, seeks to lower City government energy consumption by 30% by 2015. Greenworks is Philadelphia’s plan to make Philadelphia the greenest city in America. The program is partly a response to requests from departments for energy conservation incentives.

Since the start of the pilot, PPR has saved close to 2 million kilowatt hours of energy. That is the equivalent of taking 240 cars off the road or removing 400 tons of trash from a landfill. It also represents the energy use of 160 homes for one year or planting 30,000 trees. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation reached its energy savings by implementing a strict schedule for field lights and holds staff accountable to this schedule.

Pop-up Pool Project at Francisville Recreation Center

Philadelphia has more outdoor public pools per capita than any other city in the country, providing a fun, safe and free place to swim in neighborhoods throughout the City. A Knight Cities Challenge project, the Francisville Rec Pop-up Pool is an experiment to see if low-cost, high-impact improvements can make the pools even better. So come, go for a swim, relax on the lounge deck, and let us know what you think!

June 22-August 21, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays; 12 p.m.-5 p.m. weekends

Francisville Recreation Center (1737-39 Francis Street)

Performances in Public Spaces

In February, Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy announced the first grantees for the Performances in Public Spaces program, which provides grant money to artists and art organizations to cover all costs associated with presenting performances in select parks and plazas across the city.

Now through October, enjoy jazz, theater, poetry and more in parks like Malcolm X, Gorgas, Hawthorne and beyond! View a full list of Performances in Public Spaces.

Youth Anti-Violence Health Awareness Initiative

Myers Recreation Center, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services (DHS)/SCOP, YOACAP, IDAAY and Educators 4 Education, are hosting the 17th Annual Youth Anti-Violence Health Awareness Initiative 2015 Festival at Myers Recreation Center, 58th & Chester Avenue, on Friday, June 26 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Four workshops will take place between 10 and 11:30 a.m., with topics like drug prevention and STD risk prevention. In addition, the FREE event for youth and adults includes health screenings, face painting, a marching band performance, games and free lunch.

Please contact Mr. Jaleel Williford at: (215) 873-3774 with any questions.

Job Opportunity: Seasonal Field Inspector

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is currently seeking a seasonal employee (9 months at 40 hours per week) to work as a field inspector in the Operational Standards Unit. The Inspector will collect data and create reports as it relates to identified features at our PPR facilities city-wide. The PPR Facilities Standards Manual will be used as a guide to measure compliance. .

We will be filling 1 position, and the inspector will be working in the North Region.

Download the full Field Inspector job description and learn how to apply

View all available PPR jobs at http://ph.ly/PPR_Jobs

Phillies MLB Urban Youth Academy Opens at FDR Park

Major League Baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation officially opened the Phillies MLB Urban Youth Academy during a special ceremony on June 4 at the Academy's brand-new baseball field at Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Park in South Philadelphia.

The Phillies MLB Urban Youth Academy will be the only existing multi-site Urban Youth Academy, with both outdoor and indoor facilities to provide free, year-round instruction to the more than 8,000 Phillies Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) players in Philadelphia:

The outdoor location is at FDR Park, featuring a four-field facility that includes a brand-new baseball show field equipped with new bleacher seating for 450 spectators, dugouts, a scoreboard and a press box. This is in addition to the existing Ashburn Baseball Field and two girls' softball fields.

Indoor facilities will be at the Marian Anderson Recreation Center (740 South 17th Street in Philadelphia). Construction will begin this summer for the indoor portion, where a 7,500 square-foot addition will be added to the existing facility to create a new baseball and softball training center. Also, parts of the Marian Anderson Recreation Center will be renovated to create adequate space for fitness training as well as educational and baseball vocational programs.

Continue reading about the Phillies MLB Urban Youth Academy

#VISITPHILLY Photo Spot in LOVE Park

XOXO marks the spot this summer in Philadelphia, thanks to fun #VISITPHILLY Photo Spots located at highly trafficked and iconic areas throughout the city, including two on PPR land—LOVE Park and the Rocky statue in front of the Art Museum. Be sure to tag #FindYourPath in your pics now through September 30, 2015!

Skateboard Camps

Open to boys and girls ages 6-12

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Cost: $50

Session 1: Monday, June 22-Friday, June 26, 2015

Locations:

• Pop’s Playground (2554 Trenton Ave., 19125)
• Rizzo Rink (1101 S. Front St., 19147)

Session 2: Monday, June 29-Friday, July 3, 2015

Locations:

• Carmella Playground (2100 Wakeling St., 19124)
• Miles Mack (732 N. 36th St., 19104)

For additional information, email or call Katie Wimsey at katie.a.wimsey@phila.gov or 215-685-0487.

PPR Accepts Preservation Awards

At the 22nd Annual Preservation Achievement Awards of the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, PPR received four major awards:

• Special 200th Anniversary Award for the Fairmount Water Works
• AIA Landmark Building Award for the Fairmount Park Welcome Center
• Grand Jury Award for Restoration of “Playing Angels” Statuary
• Grand Jury Award for Glen Fern Smokehouse

Read more about the winning PPR projects

Learn more about the Preservation Achievement Awards

Grow Up Green Summer Programs

Grow Up Green is an environmental education and nature play program designed to connect young children with nature, presented by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.

Remaining FREE Grow Up Green programs this summer include:

• Pine Road Pavilion (8500 Pine Road, 19111), Thursdays, now-June 25, 2015, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Sister Cities Park (18th & Logan Circle, 19103), Wednesdays, now-August 12, 2015, 10:30-11:30a.m.
• FDR Park (1800 Pattison Ave, 19145), Mondays, now—June 22, 2015, 12-1 p.m.

Latest News about The Oval

The Oval is gearing up for another summer season! Between July 15 and August 23, The Oval will provide its third season of free programming, events and activities for all ages. During operating hours, this “Park on the Parkway” features interactive games, special events including live music, movie nights, performances and workshops as well as a rotating lineup of food trucks and a beautiful beer garden.

Daily operating hours and programming themes are:

• Wednesdays (Wellness): 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Thursdays (Arts & Culture): 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Fridays (Food & Flicks): 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Saturdays (Game Day): 12 p.m.-7 p.m.
• Sundays (Family Fun): 12 p.m.-7 p.m. (Please note: beer garden is closed on Sundays.)

In other news from The Oval:

• 114,498 visitors experienced the Saint-Gobain Future Sensations exhibition during its successful 8-day run at The Oval.
• Chosen from more than 300 submissions, Candy Coated’s Magic Carpet design at The Oval (commissioned by the Association for Public Art) was named one of 31 outstanding public art projects created in 2014, through the Public Art Network Year in Review program. The program commends the most exemplary, innovative, permanent, or temporary public artworks created or debuted in the previous year. Read more about this recognition.

Dell Music Center Updates

In addition to announcing the full Essence of Entertainment Concert Series (see below), the Dell Music Center is proud to host the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra for Classical Gems on June 27 and FREE movie nights, like 22 Jump Street on June 23 and Selma on July 7. Visit www.facebook.com/DellMusicCenter for more information.

Essence of Entertainment Concert Series (all are Thursdays)

• July 9 Patti LaBelle/Jeff Bradshaw & Friends /Pamela Williams
• Thursdays (Arts & Culture): 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• July 16 Rose Royce/Heatwave/Bloodstone/The Chi-Lites
• July 23 Toni Braxton/Babyface/Mint Condition
• July 30 Fantasia/Johnny Gill
• August 6 Anthony Hamilton/Lyfe Jennings
• August 13 Erykah Badu/Estelle
• August 20 Stephanie Mills/Boney James/After 7
• August 27 Larry Graham/Bootsy Collins/Breakwater

Summer at Laura Sims Skate House

63rd and Walnut Streets, (215) 685-1995

Roller skating kicks off Tuesday, July 7 from 6-8 p.m. with special guests and summer refreshments!

Summer hours:

• Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Day Care Centers & Summer Camps
• Monday-Friday, 3-5 p.m. and Friday 6-8 p.m.: Public Skating
• Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m.: Family Fun Nights with snacks, games, arts and crafts and table tennis

Free admission at all times; $3 for skate rental

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: 21st Annual Free Health and Resources Festival with special exhibits including the Zoo on Wheels and Please Touch Museum "On the Go." In addition, there will be a drawing for an autographed book by Mo'Ne Davis (pitcher for Taney Youth Little League/champions of Mid-Atlantic Baseball Little League).

Summer Art Camp at Wissinoming Park

PPR’s summer art camp for ages 7 to 17 is a lively and creative place for young artists to spend their summer. Lessons range from drawing and painting, to sculpture and printmaking, to more digital platforms like photography.

Dates: Session One (July 6-July 24), Session Two (July 27-August 14)

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Location: Wissinoming Park (5801 Frankford Avenue)

Cost: One three-week session=$150 plus $50 registration fee

Entire six-week session=$300 plus $50 registration fee

All supplies, meals, field trip costs and camp T-shirt costs are included in the camp admission cost.

Learn more and register your child for Summer Art Camp

Philly Cup Skateboard Series

(Ages 7- 70)

Registration is taken the day of competition from 11-11:45 a.m.; competitions begin at 12 p.m.

Registration Fee: $5.00

Competition Dates and Locations

• Saturday, June 27, 2015 – Gray’s Ferry Skate Park
• Saturday, July 25, 2015 - Rizzo Rink (Portable Skate Park)
• Saturday, August 29, 2015 – Carmella Playground Skate Park (Whitehall)
• Saturday, October 3, 2015 – Paine’s Park

2015 Launch of Fun Safe Philly Summer

On June 11, Mayor Michael A. Nutter kicked off the fourth annual Fun Safe Philly Summer campaign, a citywide initiative that connects youth in Philadelphia to free and low-cost summer programming, free summer meals, and teen summer jobs and opportunities.

Mayor Nutter started the Fun Safe Philly Summer initiative in 2012 in an effort to share information with Philadelphia youth and families about the many summer opportunities that the city offers. Throughout the spring and summer, Fun Safe Philly Summer works to compile a database of free, low-cost and scholarship-available camps, classes and clubs. This information is then shared via the city’s Youth Programs website at www.funsafephillysummer.com, along with a printable “101 Free Things to Do in the Summer” guide that includes suggestions for free events and do-it-yourself activities. Fun Safe Philly Summer also works to promote the many free drop-in activities offered by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the KEYSPOT computer lab network and the Free Library of Philadelphia.

The 2015 Fun Safe Philly Summer “Pop Up” schedule at PPR facilities is as follows:

• July 8, 5-8pm, The U on Tour: Come join the Philadelphia Union for a soccer extravaganza! (Vare Recreation Center, Morris & 26th)
• July 15, 5-8pm, Pool Party: Grab your shades and a towel and come take a dip! (Mander Recreation Center, 33rd & Diamond)
• July 29, 5-8pm, Skateboard Skills & Tricks: No experience necessary! Let’s shred. (Grays Ferry Crescent Skatepark, 3600 Grays Ferry Ave)
• August 5, 5-8pm, Ice Skating: Beat the heat and enjoy a night at the ice rink! (Scanlon Ice Rink, 1099 E Venango St)
• August 12, 5-8pm, Pump & Jump: Bring your friends and race around the bicycle Pumptrack! (Philly Pumptrack, Parkside Avenue near 53rd St)

Day of Service at Pennypack Environmental Center

On May 4, 75 fifth grade students from New Foundations Charter School visited Pennypack Environmental Center. After an introduction on watersheds and Pennypack Park's role in providing streamside habitat, the students were divided into four work groups.

Two groups planted native wildflowers that had been grown from seed at PPR’s Greenland Nursery. One group pulled invasive seedling Mile-a-Minute Weed from our meadow, and the fourth group got physical, digging out old post and rail fencing.

After the morning work sessions, the students had lunch and then enjoyed a storytelling session at Pennypack's campfire amphitheater.

Throwback Photo: Summertime Means Watermelon!

It was the summer of 1966 when Juniata's Piccoli Rec Center, located at Castor & Cayuga, held a watermelon eating contest for hundreds of kids. A produce truck pulled up to the curb, and you can see the eager participants grab those gigantic watermelons and get ready to chow down.

Save Your Ash

PPR’s Division of Urban Forestry and Ecosystem Management has initiated an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) suppression effort within the City of Philadelphia’s park system. This effort follows an ash tree inventory conducted during summer 2013. That effort identified approximately 7,500 ash trees, within 100 feet of a target (path, structure or playground) within our parks. During that inventory, approximately 1,000 ash trees were identified for long term protection, since ALL untreated trees will be killed by EAB.

Continue reading about PPR’s EAB suppression effort

Wildlife Forever Fish Art Contest Winners

The Art Club at John Anderson Cultural Center is proud to announce two winners in the Wildlife Forever Fish Art Contest. As part of this nationwide and international contest, children draw or paint their State fish and learn about the waterways in their area. Anderson’s art students drew the brook trout and learned about the fish’s behaviors as well as its colors. Within Pennsylvania, kindergarten through third grade, Frederick Mills, age 7, placed second and Daakir Dunn, age 9, placed third. Congratulations to our winners! If you want to see the pictures go to the website www.wildlife.org look under Pennsylvania.

Allie Wilson: My Learnings as a Garden Educator

There are many things I enjoy about being a Garden Educator in the Farm Philly Junior Farmers Program. Whether it is watching the excitement of kids being able to pick the first harvest of the season, or youth arguing who gets to have seconds of snap peas from the garden, or seeing red smiles as strawberry juice drips from kids' mouths--it all fills me with joy! But the one thing I have learned to most appreciate in my role is not just what I can offer the kids, but what they have been able to offer me as well. Over the course of this season, I have learned a lot from kids and colleagues at different rec centers. One instance that particularly stands out was during my time at Feltonville Recreation Center.

A few weeks ago, Miss Yadira and Miss Jen collaborated with Penn State 4H to bring an incubator and eggs into the after-school program. The kids had the fortune of learning about the life cycles of baby chicks at the same time they were learning about the life cycles of seeds and plants. By pairing these two approaches together, the students were provided with a larger scope on ways to care for our ecosystems and the individual parts within. From the kids, I learned all about baby chicks: how to handle them, which ones were boys and girls, what they liked to eat, how they needed to stay warm--and much of what they learned from chicks they were able to apply to the garden since they had started to grasp the concept of caring and stewardship. It was a real treat watching the youth care for the chicks, and as summer approaches I know they will share the same compassion for the garden!

District 2 Spring Show

On May 15, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation District 2 held its annual spring show, highlighting several of the great programs at the many district facilities. Dance, tumbling and karate were in the spotlight, representing centers like Bridesburg, Lower Mayfair, Vogt, McIlvain, Glavin, Roosevelt, Cione and Samuel.

Kudos to Steve Schmidt (Recreation Leader I, McIlvain) on coordinating this year's event, John McBride (Recreation Leader III, Bridesburg) for hosting and acting as emcee, Joe Fricker (Recreation Leader II, Roosevelt) for refreshments for the performers, and all the staff who did such a great job!

Roosevelt Playground Dancers Show

The Roosevelt Dancers (pictured above) concluded their third season on May 8 with an in-house show that included dancers, vocalists, poets and percussionists! Parents and family alike raved about how fantastic the show was and how extraordinary our dancers are. The Roosevelt Dancers had a second and final performance of the 2015 season with their participation in the District Two Show at Bridesburg Rec on May 15. They received nothing but compliments from audience members and staff about how gorgeous their costumes were and how great their dance was!

If you would like more information on our program, please call (215) 685-8754. Come join the fun!

Park Friends Group Forum

On June 6, PPR’s Stewardship Unit and the Fairmount Park Conservancy hosted the Neighborhood Parks Stewardship Forum at the University of the Sciences. Volunteers from Park Friends groups across the city attended interactive, educational sessions on topics like, “How to Recruit and Keep Volunteers,” “Fundraising for Success,” “Programming Your Park for Children” and “Park Politics 101.” Thank you to everyone who attended, as well as the PPR staff and volunteers who shared best practices.

District 7 News

Read about what’s going on in PPR’s District 7, including petunias at Rizzo Rink, Junior Farmers at Rizzo and Shot Tower, and a memorial for a World War II hero at Herron Sprayground.

Download the District 7 updates

TreePhilly Goes to Oregon!

On June 4, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation's TreePhilly Program Manager Erica Smith Fichman gave the keynote address at Oregon Community Trees’ Urban and Community Forestry Conference in Portland.

The conference's theme was “Managing Change in our Community Forests: A Toolkit for Action." Thus, in addition to sharing her experience connecting Philadelphians with the resources they need to plant and care for trees on public and private property, Erica also spoke about using social media, guerrilla advertising and exciting partnerships to promote urban forestry and motivate new audiences to join the movement.

Anti-Litter Art Project Near Capitolo Playground

As a result of funding through Keep Philadelphia Beautiful’s (KPB) micro-grant program, the Passyunk Square Civic Association, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and KPB installed a public youth-led, anti-litter art project on June 10 at Passyunk Avenue and Wharton Street.

With leadership from Fleisher artist Calo Lopez, students from Capitolo Recreation Center stenciled and spray painted a design encouraging residents to dispose of their trash properly. The artwork consists of ants carrying litter towards the nearby big belly trashcans, and will last approximately three months.

In conjunction with this effort, Mural Arts wrapped “Litter Critters” on the big bellies located next to this installation to further brighten this public space. Additional big bellies will be wrapped by Mural Arts along East Passyunk Avenue.

Find Your Path Stories: Jake from TreeKeepers and Michelle from Scanlon

Read the stories of two young adults who have found their paths to leadership through PPR— Jacob Wilson from the TreeKeepers and Michelle Shaw from Scanlon Ice Rink.

Photo: Simpson Recreation Center Garden

It's springtime, and our Junior Farmers are excited as they turn the garden from a winter mess into a fruit and vegetable garden. The little helpers are clearing away the weeds and planting what they hope to be delicious edibles.

Photos: Rooms in Bloom

From May 17-23, the Charms of Fairmount Park hosted Rooms in Bloom. A display of artful arrangements, this exhibit was held at six former country estates now open to the public as house museums-- Cedar Grove in West Fairmount Park, and Laurel Hill, Lemon Hill, Mount Pleasant, Historic Strawberry Mansion and Woodford in East Fairmount Park.

Garden clubs, florists and floral designers created arrangements inspired by each house's unique architecture, art and artifacts, as well as the compelling stories of those who built, lived, labored in and helped preserve these capsules of early American life.

View more pictures from Rooms in Bloom

Food Truck Q&A: The Cow and the Curd

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation recently spoke with Rob Mitchell of The Cow and the Curd to learn a little bit more about how he found his path to food trucks, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and the must-try item on his menu. Going through roughly 20,000 pounds of Wisconsin cheese curds in the last year, The Cow and the Curd has cemented itself as a Philadelphia favorite and an award-winning truck. Rob’s answers give an insight into the daily operations of a food truck, and the often varied and interesting backgrounds of those who own them!

Read our Q&A with The Cow and the Curd

Piccoli Soccer Program

Piccoli soccer consists of kids from the Juniata section of the city, ages 6-13 years old. After beginning the program in the fall of 2014, I’ve seen great improvement in every kid. This is the first organized sport for many of the kids, and their first time playing soccer at any level. The picture above is from their first game against a much more experienced travel team, and they held their own but eventually fell 2-0 to their opponents.

Energy-saving Tip

Place electronics and lamps with conventional bulbs away from the thermostat. The heat they produce can cause the air conditioner to work harder than necessary.