July, 2016

Parks on Tap

On June 29, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, in partnership with the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Avram Hornik of FCM Hospitality, launched “Parks on Tap,” a program that will bring a mobile beer garden from park to park for 14 weeks.

The beer garden will spend several days in one park location, highlighting and enhancing the offerings that Philadelphia city parks provide, before moving to the next location. It aims for a simple aesthetic: well-kept outdoor spaces where friends and families can meet up to enjoy food, drinks and fun surrounded by nature.

Learn more about the Parks on Tap program and view a list of locations

Launch of Summer Pool Season

On June 22, Mayor Jim Kenney, Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis, PPR Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell and other City officials joined children and staff at Max Myers Recreation Center in Northeast Philadelphia to officially open the City’s pools for the 2016 season.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation operates more than seventy pools every summer in neighborhoods across the City. Residents can find listings for pools by neighborhood at www.phila.gov/pools.  The department encourages residents contact their neighborhood pools for days and times of open swim, family swim and adult swim, as well as swim lessons and swim team activities.

Summer Concerts in Parks & Playgrounds

This summer, come out and enjoy summer nights filled with live music, fresh air and the beautiful scenery of Philly’s parks. Jazz, rock, hip hop, folk, and even “kindie” musicians will be performing in various parks across the city. Bring a blanket or chair to relax, or get ready to dance the night away with neighbors and friends!

View our list of summer concerts in parks

Laura Sims Skate House Hosts Health and Resources Fair

July 23, 2016, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Laura Sims Skate House (63rd and Walnut)

Held rain or shine in an air conditioned, enclosed facility

Join Laura Sims Skate House for its 22nd Annual Health and Resources Fair, a free event that features health screenings, information on senior services, weatherization, Veterans services, legal matters and utilities, plus entertainment, children's activities, line dancing, a book giveaway (K-12), games and prizes. All families are invited to attend.  This year’s theme is "Building Stronger Communities Through Education, Prevention and Wellness," and the event includes special guest  Gregory "BO" Kimble, former basketball player with the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Loyola Marymount University, Dobbins Technical High School, and friend and on court "brother" of Hank Gathers (deceased). For more information, call 215-685-1995, visit www.laurasimsskate.org or email laurasimsskate@aol.com.

Outdoor Yoga in Philly Parks

As the weather gets warmer, many of our public green spaces are transformed into tranquil outdoor yoga studios, with classes open to yogis of all experience levels. Swap out the bare walls of your living room for the river views at the Fairmount Water Works, the floral scents at the peaceful Bartram’s Garden, and the fresh air in your local neighborhood park. With the variety of dates and locations offered, you won’t need to practice indoors all summer.

View our list of yoga classes in Philly parks

50 FREE Movie Nights in Philly Parks and Rec Centers

There’s no better place to spend a nice summer day than one of Philly’s lovely parks. This summer, many of these parks will turn into outdoor movie screening venues once dusk sets in. Some will even have refreshments, music, entertainment, raffles and activities before show time. Best of all, every movie night is FREE! So pack a picnic, grab a blanket and head to your local park to catch a flick with friends, family and neighbors.

View our list of outdoor movie nights

Northern Liberties Recreation Center Wins Parks Build Community Grant

The Northern Liberties Recreation Center “Living Wall" project was selected as a winner of the national Parks Build Community campaign and will receive a $20,000 grant from the National Recreation and Park Association and The Walt Disney Company, including Disney Citizenship, Disney|ABC Television Group and ESPN. Community members voted for the winning project throughout Earth Month in April.

Northern Liberties was one of 15 projects selected to receive grant funding. The $20,000 grant will allow for the creation of a living wall along the fence line bordering the pool and the basketball court, plus provide for environmental education opportunities for children such as learn how to garden in challenging spaces and learning what is required to maintain a garden.

For more information about the winning Parks Build Community projects, visit www.NRPA.org/BeInspired.

The Oval Returns!

Once again, The Oval will return for another season of fun from July 15-August 21, 2016! Presented by PNC, The Oval is a partnership of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Fairmount Park Conservancy.

Philadelphia’s “Park on the Parkway,” located on the southeastern end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, offers free programming, events, and activities for all ages. The Oval 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. This year, the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program will create a large mural on the ground to bring more colorful summer fun to the pop-up park, and special events will take place during the Democratic National Convention in July.

Visit The Oval website for more details

Summer 2016 at the Dell Music Center

The Dell Music Center’s 2016 Essence of Entertainment Concert Season opens Thursday, July 7 with three platinum-selling music sensations: R&B singers Jaheim, Monica and Lyfe Jennings. Essence of Entertainment concerts will continue on Thursday evenings through August 25.

In addition, the Dell is once again hosting Tuesday Night at the Movies, performances by the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, and Sheryl Lee Ralph’s “Divas Simply Singing” concert. For more information, visit www.mydelleast.com.

Upcoming Events in Tacony Creek Park

Our partners at Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership have an exciting batch of upcoming events, ranging from arts & crafts to environmental studies and more! Here are three highlights:

For more details and a complete list of events, visit http://ttfwatershed.org/

Philadelphia International Unity Cup Update

On June 1, Mayor Jim Kenney, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, Miriam Enriquez, Director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs, and other City officials hosted a ceremony to draw teams for the pool play rounds of the first Philadelphia International Unity Cup soccer tournament. Mayor Kenney drew balls labeled with all 32 teams each representing a different nation to determine which teams would compete against each other during the initial rounds of the tournament.

Visit www.phila.gov/unitycup for Unity Cup updates and information, and follow @PHLUnityCup on Facebook and Twitter.

Reminder: Bike and Boat at FDR Park

You can now rent bikes and boats at FDR Park, 7 days a week, between 10am and sunset.

Explore what this South Philly gem has to offer! Learn more about Wheel Fun at FDR Park.

Summer Event Series: Climate Change & Restoration

PPR’s Urban Forestry & Ecosystems Management division will host three plant walk and climate change monitoring workshops in Haddington Woods this summer. Novice hikers, botanists, and park lovers are encouraged to attend! The walks will begin at the Bocce Court parking lot at Daggett and Vine St. 19139 on the following days:

• Thursday, July 14, 4-6pm
• Sunday, August 7, 1-3pm
• Saturday, September 17, 10am-12pm

Rahim Thompson Honored with Sports Volunteer of the Year Award

On June 22, Rahim Thompson was honored with the Sports Volunteer of the Year Award at the PHL Sports Wanamaker Awards ceremony held at the Crystal Tearoom. This award is given by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to an individual whose volunteer efforts have made a significant difference in the lives of young people through sports.

Rahim is the founder of The Chosen League, a free summer basketball league for elite high school athletes. The league is currently in its 15th year and practices at Cherashore Playground in Olney. Over the years, the league has showcased the best of the best when it comes to athletes. They have had 172 athletes go on to play division 1 basketball at some of the country’s top colleges and universities.

Continue reading about Rahim Thompson and the Chosen League

New Water Stations along Schuylkill River Trail

On May 20, Philadelphia Water unveiled a new network of four public water stations located along Kelly Drive. Stretching from East Falls to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the bright blue-and-yellow water stations are designed to make filling reusable bottles easy, and even feature a special bowl for dogs.

Learn more about the new water stations

Philly Cup Skateboard Series Update

The second competition of the 2016 Philly Cup Skateboard Series was held at Gray's Ferry Crescent Skatepark on June 11. Approximately 50 competitors between the ages of 5 to 60 came out to compete. The next competition is scheduled for Saturday, July 9 at Rizzo Rink.

Creative Minds Growing at Dorsey Playground

Dorsey Playground in PPR’s District 2 has been experiencing a flourish of creativity! First, the After School Program created a stunning butterfly as part of the Sister Cities Park Butterfly Garden, with the Outdoor Experience component of Parks & Recreation! Items such as CDs, pipe cleaners, and valance material helped create a tactile sensation! Then, the A2O program took to the indoors to create the outdoors via art, as they painted a vibrant mushroom garden mural on the interior Dorsey walls! Dorsey: the little Playground making big dreams come true!

Photo: Deer Exclosure Impact

Guess which side of the fence above (installed at Houston Meadow in the Wissahickon) is protected from deer browse?  This picture demonstrates the benefits of deer fencing and the impact of deer browse on forest regeneration: The area on the right side of the photo is protected and is loaded with tree seedlings and saplings, primarily black gum and black birch. The fence has been in place for about four years.

Learn more about PPR’s efforts to protect our forests from white-tailed deer

South Philly’s Herron Sprayground

Memorial Day brings one of the first signs of summer in South Philadelphia– the opening of Herron Sprayground in PPR’s District 7. May 31 brought a few moms with coaches who were delighted to see that the sprinklers were flowing. They quickly texted and tweeted their friends and neighbors, and soon a parade of happy children were cooling off in the flowing water. Parents could be heard giving commands in English, Spanish, Russian and various Asian dialects as everyone shared in the universal language of laughter and carefree fun.

Recreation Leader III Tony Tomassetti of the Rizzo Rink Cluster supervises the Herron Site and Facility Caretaker II Joseph Lutz takes very good care of the park. He is not just a caretaker, but a stakeholder for a beloved site from his own neighborhood.

Continue reading about Herron Sprayground

Reminder: Summer Memory Throwback Thursday Photo Contest

Submit a photo of your favorite summer memory in a Philly park, playground or recreation center for a chance to be featured on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Every Thursday, from June 9 to September 1, we will pick a winning photo.

Learn more about the Summer Member TBT Photo Contest

Lee Cultural Center Receives Makeover from Drexel Students

Lee Cultural Center in West Philly got an exciting makeover, thanks to the collaboration of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) staff and Drexel University’s Lindy Center for Civic Engagement and Westphal College of Media Arts and Design.

Thirty-six freshman students worked closely with a team from PPR, led by REACH Nutrition and Physical Activity Coordinator Meka Perez. The students’ participation was part of a class called “CIVC 101: Intro to Civic Engagement,” a course that gives students hands-on exposure to topics such as social justice, volunteerism, public service, and political activism.

Continue reading about the Lee Cultural Center enhancements

Wissahickon Environmental Center Partners with Philly Touch Tours

Tony Croasdale, an Environmental Education Program Planner at the Wissahickon Environmental Center, recently teamed up with Philly Touch Tours to coordinate an interactive birding experience for the visually impaired. Philly Touch Tours is a local nonprofit whose mission is to provide equal opportunities in cultural settings for people with vision loss. A Philadelphia Parks & Recreation employee, Tony is also one of the leaders of BirdPhilly, an initiative of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club that focuses on interactive bird watching walks and education in the Philadelphia area.

The collaboration with Philly Touch Tours, which occurred in May, consisted of two events. First was a site visit at the Philly Touch Tours headquarters at 3rd and Arch Streets to prepare participants for the bird-watching experience. This interactive lesson included the opportunity for participants to touch raised models of the live birds they were likely to encounter outside as well as listen to audio files of the various bird songs and calls. Following this event, the group participated in an afternoon of hands-on bird-watching, followed by a picnic dinner, on May 26.

Continue reading about this interactive birding experience for the visually impaired

Spring Visual Arts Show 2016

On June 2, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation celebrated visual arts programs at PPR facilities. Awards were presented in the following age groups: 6 and under, 7 to 9, 10 to 12, 13 to 17, and adults along with groups. Broad Street Run Poster Contest winners were also honored with 2016 Broad Street Run medals and t-shirts.

This year was the 44th year of the Spring Art Show. The show took place from May 16 to June 3 on the first and second floors or City Hall. Artwork in the City Hall Gallery in Room 116 remained on display through the month of June.

Continue reading about the Visual Arts Spring Art Show

Check out John Anderson Cultural Center’s Art Club’s pictures from the Spring Visual Art Show

K&T Trail Groundbreaking

On June 9, Mayor Kenney, PPR Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell and other dignitaries gathered with community members to break ground on Phase 1 of the K&T Trail, which will extend from the Frankford Boat Launch to Magee Avenue and connect the Wissinoming and Tacony neighborhoods, along the Delaware River. As part of the Circuit Trails, Greater Philadelphia’s multi-use trail network, the new pathway will complete nearly 70 percent of the North Delaware Greenway Trail and is part of the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway. The projected 1.15 mile trail includes the section already built through Lardner’s Point Park and will assume the path of the former Kensington and Tacony Railroad, which together encompasses approximately 4.5 acres of open, green space for residents and visitors.

The $2.9 million project, expected to be completed by 2017 and under the direction of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in partnership with the Delaware River City Corp., will feature 20 interpretive signs on the history and natural environment of the area as well as extensive plantings to include 80 trees, 1,000 shrubs, 5,700 grass and perennial plants and a few acres of native meadows. 

PPR Receives Preservation Achievement Awards

On June 8 at the 23rd Annual Preservation Alliance Achievement Awards, held at the Union League, PPR, our partner governmental agencies, our nonprofit partners and our consultants were honored with three separate awards for projects located within the PPR system. The awards were for the following projects:

Learn more about these three PPR preservation projects

AEC Cares Renovates Athletic Recreation Center

On May 18, AEC Cares led a much-needed revitalization project at Athletic Recreation Center (1401-55 N. 26th Street). During the build, nearly 150 volunteers including architects, engineers and contractors tackled projects across the recreation center to make it more welcoming and functional.

The renovation project, valued at over $330,000, included numerous donated materials and time. Volunteers painted four rooms, gutted and renovated the kitchen and arts and crafts room and replaced 3,000 square feet of vinyl. In addition, the team did extensive repairs and refinishing to the auditorium.

Learn more about the AEC Cares project at Athletic

MLK Older Adult Center Groundbreaking

On June 14, City Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis, City Council President Darrell L. Clarke, Commissioner of Parks & Recreation Kathryn Ott Lovell and other City officials joined community leaders and senior citizens to break ground on a new facility for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Older Adult Center in central North Philadelphia. The 10,000 square foot building will be located at the corner of 21st Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue on the same block as the MLK, Jr. Recreation Center, which currently houses the Older Adult Center.

The new facility will feature a large lunchroom and commercial kitchen, a billiards room, a multipurpose room, and classrooms for art, fitness and computers. The construction and finished building will utilize sustainable practices and materials including an energy-efficient HVAC system and lighting.

Continue reading about the new MLK, Jr. Older Adult Center

Towey Recreation Center Cleanup

On May 7, 40 Fulbright Foreign Students from around the world, in conjunction with Art Sphere Inc., descended on Towey Recreation Center to transform it from the inside out. A new backdrop for the gym and a bright forest mural were painted in its hallway to make Towey a happier place to be.

Staff Profile: Mubarak “Rock” Levere

Mubarak “Rock” Levere is an Equipment Operator 2 based out of Tarken Ice Rink & Playground in Northeast Philadelphia. He has been employed with the City of Philadelphia for 20 years. He started as a maintenance worker in the City’s parks and then acquired a commercial driver’s license in 2000, which allowed him to operate various pieces of equipment.

Rock began his career out of pure interest. He attended W.B. Saul High School and has always taken a liking to the outdoors. As a teenager, Rock mowed lawns and did other landscaping jobs around his neighborhood, so when the opportunity came for him to take the test to do this type of work for the City of Philadelphia, he jumped at the opportunity.

Continue reading about Tarken Ice Rink’s Rock Levere

Dedication of New Fields in FDR Park

On June 18, PPR Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, Councilman Mark Squilla, Taney Youth Baseball Association players and families, and members of the South Philadelphia community dedicated three new baseball fields used by Taney Baseball in Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park.

To meet the needs of the growing league, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Office of Councilman Johnson committed to renovating three fields in FDR Park at a total cost of nearly $300,000.  Improvements include new backstop fences with padding and asphalt paths; grading of new infield grass, pitchers mounds and batting areas; new home plates and bases; and 12 new benches and 3 trash cans.

Continue reading about the new baseball fields in FDR Park

By the Numbers: TreePhilly

In Spring 2016, the TreePhilly program distributed over 1,700 trees to Philadelphia residents through its city-wide yard tree giveaways, community yard tree giveaways, and Arbrew Day events! Registration for Fall 2016 will open in late September. 

Mayfair Cluster "Athletic-thon"

In the second year of the Mayfair Cluster "Athletic-thon," athletes were pushed to the limit after the first event's grueling swim meet at Lincoln Pool and the second event's no-holds-barred Dodgeball tournament at Mayfair Playground.

Then on May 10 at Ramp Playground, we had a 1 o'clock showdown between the fastest runners hailing from Mayfair Playground, Russo Park, Fitzpatrick Playground, Jardel Recreation Center, Pelbano Recreation Center and Tarken Playground. With 200 runners in attendance, these sprinters battled in a 100, 200 and a 4x100 relay, with over 20 athletes bringing home the gold! The event was spearheaded by Eric Kurtz of Ramp Playground, Joe Camm of Mayfair Playground and Jimmy Lynch, Father Judge Athletic Director.

Shofuso Gives Visitors a Peek into Japanese Culture

West Fairmount Park’s Shofuso Japanese House and Garden is a traditional-style Japanese house and nationally-ranked garden that facilitates programming related to Japanese history and culture. This summer, Shofuso staff has planned a variety of diverse activities that will give visitors a chance to experience Japanese culture and history, right in the middle of Philadelphia.

Check out programming highlights from the upcoming summer season at Shofuso

After School Program Profile: Diane Scott, Athletic Recreation Center

Diane Scott of Athletic Recreation Center first joined the After School Program in the year of its inception, nearly 18 years ago. Having been diagnosed with Lupus, Diane’s journey into after-school care and creating a sustainable program has been one based on recovery of the body and mind. She credits much of her work, especially with the children involved in the After School Program, with helping her get back on her feet after enduring numerous surgeries and treatments. “They keep me on my feet, both mentally and physically.”

It’s the children that keep Diane coming back after nearly 18 years. Running her After School Program much like a family, built on mutual respect and love, Diane takes pride in being able to provide a safe environment for the youth of the surrounding neighborhood.

Continue reading about Diane Scott of Athletic Recreation Center

Tot Rec Graduation at Max Myers

The members of the high school graduating class of 2029 took their first steps toward walking down that “rite of passage” aisle from the Max Myers Tot Rec program on May 26. The graduation ceremony started at 7 PM, with as many as 75 overjoyed family and friends looking on.

In her 19th year at the helm, After School RSI and Tot Rec teacher Patricia Sellers, alongside fellow Tot Rec teacher Jennifer Sorrento, had the children recite the Pledge of Allegiance, alphabet and songs. Many more arts and special day projects from the year were also on display for all to see.

Continue reading about Tot Rec graduation at Max Myers Playground

Red Bull Reign at Cherashore Playground

Red Bull Reign is the ultimate 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the country. On June 11, the tournament held one of six qualifiers at Cherashore Playground. There are six playgrounds in six different cities chosen to hold these qualifiers. This year’s qualifiers are being held in New Orleans, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Detroit, Indianapolis and Chicago.

Twenty-four teams came to 10th and Olney to compete for two spots in the National Championship and $50,000 in Chicago on July 16. Teams came from New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Philly.

Continue reading about Red Bull Reign at Cherashore Playground

PPR Is Building Gardens and Garden Education through the ATSDR Grant

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR) Community Health Projects grant to the City of Philadelphia has served as a vehicle to support urban agriculture projects in the city. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health, the Office of Sustainability, the Philadelphia Land Bank and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation all partnered on this grant, which has supported the restoration and revitalization of community gardens in need of infrastructure and supplies, and the development and facilitation of educational workshops on soil safety, best gardening practices, and gaining legal access to land for gardening purposes. There are many concerns when growing in urban soils due to our city’s industrial past. Through education and materials, this grant aims to work with communities across Philadelphia to address these concerns and give them the tools to build successful, healthy gardens.

Continue reading about the ATSDR grant’s impact at PPR

Community Propagation Program at the Horticulture Center

On a typical morning at PPR’s Horticulture Center in West Fairmount Park, a back section of the greenhouse is bustling with gardeners from across the city, sowing seeds, sharing plants, and cultivating connections with each other. This spring and summer, the Horticulture Center has worked with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s FarmPhilly Program and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to rent greenhouse space to Philadelphia gardeners so they can get a jump start on the growing season.

Last summer, members of Soil Generation, a coalition of Philadelphia gardeners and farmers, asked for some key resources from the City, including greenhouse space for gardeners. The Community Propagation Program kicked off in February, with a spring session from February through May, and a summer session June through September. During the spring session, 45 gardeners participated, growing thousands of plants that made their way to over 25 community gardens, three small businesses, and numerous backyard gardens across the city. 

Continue reading about the Community Propagation Program