August, 2016

Dear Friends:

In the midst of our busiest season, please let me express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you. Thank you for making our parks and recreation centers fun and safe havens for the thousands of citizens who visit them each day. Thank you for continuing to work with community members and partners to provide more and better year-round programming and events in our neighborhoods. Thank you for tending to Philadelphia’s forests, green spaces and waterways, despite scorching heat and humidity. Thank you for making sure our permanent and seasonal staff are getting trained, staying informed, and most importantly, getting paid for the great work they are contributing throughout our system. You make it possible for this department to connect Philadelphians to the natural world, to each other, and to fun, physical and social opportunities.

Despite our hectic schedules, I hope you’ll make time to visit one of our other sites or programs this summer to appreciate the work of your colleagues and see our impact on the community firsthand. Visit a Parks on Tap site and relax in a hammock. Attend a Swim Philly Aqua Zumba or Water Yoga class. Enjoy an outdoor concert at the Dell Music Center. Take a hike in a watershed park, or watch a movie night in a neighborhood park. Head to The Oval for a day of fun with your kids. Remind yourself that you work for an essential and FUN department that improves the quality of life for citizens.

I can’t tell you how impressed I’ve been when I’m out and about at our recreation centers, pools, activities and events all over the city. To meet such dedicated staff and so many excited participants in our programs is an honor. It’s inspiring to see people working so hard, under often crazy and chaotic conditions, and providing exemplary experiences for those we serve.

Lastly, I want to welcome Orlando Rendon, Deputy Commissioner for Programs, to the department. We are excited to round out our executive team and look forward to seeing the Program division innovate and thrive under Orlando’s leadership. Until you meet him in person, Orlando’s full biography follows in this issue.

Kathryn Ott Lovell

Swim Philly

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell was joined by Councilwoman Cindy Bass and members of the Mt. Airy community at Pleasant Playground on July 6 to launch the latest PPR program, Swim Philly. Swim Philly brings fun programming, special events for all ages, comfortable seating and lounges, umbrellas, plants and more to brighten and enliven typically empty pool decks at five neighborhood locations across Philadelphia. Meet your friends at one of the pools below to enjoy the warm weather, participate in Poolside Yoga, Aqua Zumba and Water Yoga, and connect with your neighbors.

Summer Event Reminder

Come out to enjoy some of the exciting events being offered at Philly parks this summer, including free movie nights, concerts, and yoga. Don’t forget to also check out the variety of activities and events happening at The Oval and to stop by the Parks on Tap traveling beer garden to enjoy food, drinks and fun surrounded by nature!

Watch a video to learn more about PPR’s summer fun offerings

Register for the 2016 Boxers’ Trail 5K Run/Walk

Registration is now open for the 2016 Boxers’ Trail 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, September 10. All proceeds from the event benefit Mander Playground in North Philadelphia, which organizes youth programs, including runs along the Boxers’ Trail. Registration is at 8:30am, and the race begins at 9:30am. Register for the Boxers’ Trail 5K.

Need help training for the 5K? Philly Powered is here to help!

Featured Philly Spraygrounds

Now that summer has arrived, beat the heat at one of our many spraygrounds, located in neighborhoods throughout the city. Sprayground hours are generally 11am to 7pm, Monday through Saturday, and feature a variety of sprayers, sprinklers and other fun and festive structures to help you keep cool all summer.

Continue reading about spraygrounds and view listings by location

PPR Staff Help the Democratic National Convention Go Off Without a Hitch

The Democratic National Convention took place from July 25 through today, right here in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation staff members from all units and divisions were hard at work before and during the event to make sure it was a success. PPR staff prepared FDR Park to host events, installed new lighting at Boathouse Row, put up patriotic scrims, and planted flowers along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Oval also hosted a variety of fun activities for visitors in town for the convention.

Continue reading about how PPR staff helped prepare for the DNC

Boathouse Row Relights with Red, White, and Blue for DNC

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, in partnership with Fairmount Park Conservancy, has upgraded the lighting installation at the iconic Boathouse Row on the Schuylkill River, thanks to a generous donation from The Joanna McNeil Trust. On the evening of July 23, with all eyes on Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention, a new display of red, white, and blue lights reflected across the water.

The project team is thrilled to present Boathouse Row in red, white, and blue for the Democratic National Convention delegates through the evening of Friday, July 29. This project though is ultimately a gift to the City of Philadelphia, with the lights returning to their iconic white after the Democratic National Convention. Joanna McNeil Lewis has contributed her time, energy, and resources to many of Philadelphia’s most important institutions, and saw this opportunity as a way to ensure that one of Philadelphia’s most magnificent locations shines brightly for all to enjoy.

Family Triathlon in Hunting Park

Calling all triathletes! Saturday, August 6 is the Hunting Park Family Triathlon presented by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and TriYouthalon. Come out to swim, bike and run on a closed course, and stick around after the race for the annual Hunting Park Family Fun and Fitness Day festivities. For information on the triathlon, visit www.triyouthalon.org. Registration closes on July 29.

Staff Updates

We are excited to welcome several new staff members to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, including Deputy Commissioner for Programs Orlando Rendon, Jr. and three new seasonal Communications Unit employees. Please join us in welcoming them to the PPR team!

In his new role, Orlando will lead a division of more than 200 employees working to ensure the delivery of high-quality programs, activities, and services to all neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. Orlando is joining our team with over 24 years of proven and impactful experience in nonprofit leadership and business management.  Prior to his appointment as Deputy Commissioner of Programs, Orlando served ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania for over 20 years in program management, financial leadership, and as Chief Operations Officer.

Continue reading about new PPR staff  

Staff Changes:

Retirements
Martin Jackson, Assistant Recreation Leader
Larry Brown, Water Safety Instructor 2
Patricia Mclean, Inventory Control Technician

Transfers
Marcia Davis, Clerk 3/Human Resources

Promotions
Major Ashlock, Electrician

Resignations
Hani Johnson, Urban Park Rangers
Derek Gibbs, Urban Park Rangers

Fall 2016 Community Yard Tree Giveaway Grants

The application for Tree Philly’s Community Yard Tree Giveaway Grants is now open!  In partnership with the Fairmount Park Conservancy and TD Bank, TreePhilly is offering five grants worth $500 and 50 or 100 trees for Philadelphia community groups to host yard tree giveaways in their neighborhoods.

Grant recipients will have the opportunity to provide free trees – including fruit trees, flowering trees, and shade trees – to their constituents at special events throughout October and November. All community groups and businesses that serve Philadelphians, including civic associations, community development corporations, nonprofits, schools, faith-based organizations, and local businesses, are encouraged to apply, but only nonprofits and groups with a fiscal sponsor are eligible to receive the $500 award. View the yard tree giveaway grant application.

Jazz in the Park

Head out to Morris Estate Cultural Center this August to see some of the hottest jazz artists in the city! On Tuesday nights through August 16, free jazz concerts will be held at Morris Estate from 6-8pm. The concerts are produced by Sol Unlimited Jazz and Arts in partnership with Councilwoman Cindy Bass and State Representative Stephen Kinsey. Each week’s concert has a different theme, so attend every week for a new style each time!

PPR Celebrates 5 Staff Superheroes

In support of the National Recreation and Park Association’s celebration of Park and Recreation Month and its superhero theme, PPR spent the month of July recognizing several PPR “superheroes” that have gone above and beyond in improving the city’s public green spaces, programs, and/or helping the department run smoothly.

Without our hard-working and truly dedicated staff, PPR would not be able to thrive as a vital resource for the city of Philadelphia.

Philly Skates!

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is offering a range of skateboarding programs and events this summer, including themed skate nights at Rizzo Rink, week-long skateboard camps, and the Philly Cup Skateboard Series competition. Skateboard clinics are also being held at 36 PPR summer day camps citywide. Grab your board and join us for one of our awesome upcoming summer programs or events!

Upcoming skateboarding programs and events:

Learn more about skateboarding programs and events

Winner of Summer Camp T-shirt Contest

Congrats to Summer Art Camp, the winner of the 2016 PPR Summer Camp T-shirt Contest! The design was the clear winner in a “People’s Poll” of PPR employees at One Parkway Building. Judging was based on creativity, originality, visual appeal, accurate and clear information, a new design (no repeats from previous camp years), and a clear indication of a connection to PPR. Fox Chase Recreation Center came in second place, and Feltonville Recreation Center came in third.

Summer Art Camp’s design was created by camper Salena Le, age 10.

Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s contest, and we look forward to seeing your designs next year!

Civil Service Exam: Recreation Leader Trainee (Bilingual)

Open-competitive, close date of 08/05/2016

This is entry-level recreation work. Employees in this class learn to administer a limited program of activities for the public and provide recreational services and facilities for organized groups. Work includes responsibility for the organization and implementation of assigned programs and for participating with other recreation personnel in providing recreation services. Employees in this class may perform recreation program assignments for a large residential institution or correctional system. Determining community recreation needs and interests, promoting the acceptance of programs, raising funds to support program needs, and motivating participation are of major significance to the work. As the training period progresses, the employee is assigned work of greater complexity and responsibility.

Continue reading about the Recreation Leader Trainee test

Philly Play Expands to 30 Rec Centers for 2016

The Philly Play program, initiated by Councilman Bobby Henon in 2013 to help kids live healthier lives by giving them access to active play opportunities, is now entering its third summer at PPR facilities throughout Philadelphia. Philly Play partners with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to infuse traditional City summer camps with active play and health programming at participating recreation centers and playgrounds. Led by dedicated Philly Play coaches, campers at participating sites take part in activities including dance, karate, boxing, fitness, and other sports.

In its first year, Philly Play held health and fitness programs at just a handful of PPR summer camps, primarily in Northeast Philly. With the support of the City, the program grew to 10 sites around Philadelphia in 2014 and to 15 locations in 2015. This year, Philly Play has expanded to hold programs at 30 recreation centers and playgrounds in locations from South Philly to North Philly, and everywhere in between.

Continue reading about Philly Play

Reminder: Summer TBT 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 accounts. We’ll be picking winning photos now through September!

Learn more about the Summer Memory TBT Photo Contest

Canoemobile 2016 Registration Now Open

This year, the National Park Service has once again partnered with Wilderness Inquiry to host Canoemobile in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation has had over 500 youth participate in this event for the past two years. Group registration is now open for this year’s event. Get your group involved in this great experience that gets youth between the ages of 10 and 18 out on the river in a canoe! Call or email Mary Grace Gorman at 215-685-0427 or mary-grace.gorman@phila.gov  to learn how your playground can participate.

Save the Date: PPR Staff BBQ September 9

Everyone's favorite Philadelphia Parks & Recreation event is back! Please plan to join your friends and colleagues for this year's PPR BBQ on Friday, September 9 from 11am-3pm at the Belmont Picnic Grove. We will enjoy lunch, games, and plenty of friendly competition. Invites and additional details to follow.

If you would like to help with the planning, please email Emma Schad or Aelin Compton at emma.schad@phila.gov or aelin.compton@phila.gov.

Heat Stress Safety Tips

The PPR Safety Unit wants to remind you about the hazards to employees working in extremely hot conditions and the steps that should be taken to prevent heat-related illnesses. Please download information on the signs, symptoms, types, and prevention of heat stress, and stay safe this summer!

Unity Cup Recognized by White House

On June 30, a special event was held at the White House that recognized the City of Philadelphia and its launch of key programs designed to create a welcoming city for cultural diversity. Specifically, the Philadelphia International Unity Cup was one of a few Philadelphia initiatives highlighted for its innovative approach to celebrating cultural diversity.

Continue reading about this Unity Cup recognition

Reminder: United by Blue Volunteer Days

This summer, Philadelphia-based coffeehouse and urban-outdoor clothier United by Blue has been hosting cleanup days at watersheds across the region. For every item sold, United by Blue removes a pound of trash from oceans and waterways. United by Blue is seeking volunteers to help out at three upcoming cleanups in Philadelphia. Volunteers will receive snacks from the Living Room Café and Little Baby’s Ice Cream, along with a pint-sized Klean Kanteen stainless steel cup as a thank you for participating. The next cleanup is August 2, so register today! 

Introduction to the Performing Arts Camp Adds New Site in West Philly

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s Performing Arts office has added a new site to its Introduction to the Performing Arts Camp for summer 2016. The new site at 48th & Woodland Playground serves children from West and Southwest Philly, and joins the previously established camps at Waterview Recreation Center (Germantown), Holmesburg Recreation Center (Northeast Philadelphia), and Hawthorne Cultural Center (South Philadelphia).

This specialized camp, which began July 5 and ends August 12, is for children ages 6 to 10 who are interested in performing arts. Kids have the opportunity to take classes across a variety of subjects including dance, drama, and vocal music.

Continue reading about the new performing arts camp site at 48th and Woodland Playground

Stinger Square Ribbon Cutting

On Thursday, July 7, City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson of the 2nd District joined PPR Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell and Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis with community members such as Irene Russell, a longtime PPR staffer and community activist, as they cut the ribbon to a renovated Stinger Square. The park, which is located at 32nd and Dickinson Streets, recently underwent a half-million-dollar renovation including a total concrete replacement, replanting of entry beds, planting of a rain garden, refurbished seating, insertion of new games tables, planting of new trees, and removal of dead trees. The renovation was part of Johnson’s overall effort to revitalize the 2nd Council District.

In 94 degree heat, kids splashed in the swimming pool and played volleyball on the newly-installed court. There was excitement in the air for the new additions. With a DJ playing Motown favorites, over a hundred neighbors, residents, and Stinger Square regulars packed the park for the celebration and ceremony.

Hey, Didn't He Used to Work For PPR?

We've had a Mike Mecchella sighting at Stinger Square Park this month. Mr. Never-Took-a-Sick-Day helped out the Stewardship Team in putting together the volleyball net and court for the grand reopening and dedication. Stewardship had to call in the big dog from the bullpen, and he graciously put down his green tea and put his experience to use. Great to see you, Mike! Now back to the gym!

Summer & Fall Programs at Sister Cities Park

This summer, participate in an Outdoor Experience at Sister Cities Park! These environmental education and nature play programs are designed to help young children connect with nature.

The Story Art program, held on Mondays from 10:30-11:30am, is a collaboration between the Free Library of Philadelphia and PPR Outdoor Experiences. Nature-inspired stories and crafts are based on weekly themes; the August 1 theme is air, and the final week will be celebrated with a picnic theme on August 8.

Grow Up Green, held on Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30am, is an environmental education program designed to connect young children with nature through play. Participants in the August 3 program will pack a backpack and explore the park on a hike. On August 10, the end of the summer programs will be celebrated with a pretend campfire adventure. All programs are geared toward children ages 3-5 years old, but all ages are welcome.

This upcoming fall, scarecrows will again be on display at Sister Cities Park! Philadelphia Parks & Recreation programs are asked to participate in the assembly of a scarecrow to be showcased at Sister Cities. If you would like to know more about this program, or any other PPR programs at Sister Cities Park, please contact Mary Grace Gorman at 215-685-0427 or by email at hMary-Grace.Gorman@phila.gov.

Learn more about events and programs at Sister Cities Park

Snapshots from the Be Outside Teen Adventure Camp

The photo above is from the Be Outside Teen Program at Chalfont Playground and Gustine Recreation Center. The Be Outside Teen Adventure Camp is a 6-week day camp for youth ages 12-14. Participants are exposed to outdoor physical activities including biking, hiking, boating, kayaking, whitewater rafting, zip-lining, rock climbing, disc golf, and more!

View more photos from the Be Outside Teen Adventure Camp

Photos: Summer Sports at Shuler Playground

Summer is in full swing, and so are summer sports at many PPR parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers. Featured above are photos from the launch of flag football on July 9 (left) and a recent Midrange Morris Adult Basketball League game that drew a large crowd (right), both from Shuler Playground.

Cione Playground Grand Reopening

At the landmark corner of Lehigh and Aramingo Avenues, PPR reopened Cione Playground with a ribbon cutting and dedication in the Port Richmond/Fishtown community on July 27.

The Olde Richmond Civic Association, Friends of Cione, the Cione Advisory Council, Councilman Mark Squilla, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation opened the newly constructed playground. The children’s play area was dedicated to 31st Democratic Ward leader Peg Rzepski, a community leader and activist who fought tirelessly for a new playground to be built at Cione. Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell and Acting Program Director Anne Marie Dunne were present for the ceremony.  

Urban Youth Academy Ribbon Cutting

On July 21, the City of Philadelphia, Major League Baseball, and the Philadelphia Phillies celebrated the official opening of the Ryan Howard Training Center at the Phillies MLB Youth Academy during a special ceremony at the Academy’s brand-new indoor training center at PPR’s Marian Anderson Recreation Center in South Philadelphia.

The new Ryan Howard Training Center at the Phillies MLB Youth Academy will be used by more than 8,000 Phillies RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) players, making baseball and softball more accessible to underserved Philadelphia youth. The state-of-the-art, 7,500 square-foot indoor baseball/softball training center, which was added to the existing recreation center, is equipped with four retractable batting cages, similar to the batting cages at the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater, Fla., which is the spring training site for the Phillies’ minor league players. In addition, RBI players will also have access to fitness training, as well as educational and vocational programs featuring top-notch instruction from mentors including former and current Major League players, scouts, coaches, and many others.

Snapshots from the Fairmount Park Family Triathlon

At the Fairmount Park Family Triathlon on July 16, competitors from ages seven to 75 came out to compete at Kelly Pool/Memorial Hall. The event was a great success, and a fun time was had by all participants!

View more photos from the Fairmount Park Family Triathlon

New P3 Gardens to Be Installed This Fall

Plants Make Positive Places (P3) is pleased to announce the future sites of 11 new gardens set for installation this fall. The sites include:

District 1: Fox Chase Playground and Pelbano Recreation Center

District 2: Konrad Square

District 3: Lawncrest Recreation Center and Merritt Square Park

District 6: Norris Square

District 7: East Passyunk and Marconi Plaza

District 8: Bill Pickett Riding Academy, Kingsessing Recreation Center and Papa Playground

Congratulations to you all! We look forward to working with you.

Pennypack Environmental Center Nature Camp

Campers at Pennypack Environmental Center’s 2016 Nature Camp enjoyed fishing, exploring the creek for macroinvertebrates, and learning about water safety. They had the chance to meet Pennsylvania Game Commission officers from around the state, including one of the newest K-9 officers. The officers showed campers how they would investigate a poaching and search for clues. The campers also had fun orienteering, playing games, exploring Fox Chase Farm, campfire cooking, and more!

Visual Arts Camp Celebrates Jerry Pinkney Day

On July 19, Visual Arts Camp was invited to City Hall by the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy to attend a reception for Jerry Pinkney, a children’s book illustrator from Philadelphia. Pinkney  has received numerous awards including the 2010 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration, recognizing The Lion & the Mouse. The children at camp created artwork inspired by Pinkney’s work and presented it to him at the ceremony. Pinkney had kind words of encouragement for the young artists at camp.

Photo: Wawa Welcome America Screening of Rocky

On June 29, about 2,000 participants enjoyed a perfect summer night at the annual Wawa Welcome America screening of Rocky, held on the Art Museum steps.

Update: Feltonville Rec Center Makeover

PPR and the Mural Arts Restorative Justice Guild have completed a restoration and painting project at Feltonville Recreation Center. Learn more about this project and see additional photos.

Tree Keepers Provides Workers with Valuable Tree Care Skills

Tree Keepers is a seasonal green maintenance program, launched in 2011, that teaches participants a variety of skills. These include tree pruning, planting, maintenance, and invasive species identification. The crew also learns how to use a variety of maintenance equipment. Tree Keepers lasts from March through December and is run by PPR’s Sustainable Practices & Operational Standards Manager Andrew Emma. The program serves as a method to give under-employed individuals a chance at seasonal City employment. The Tree Keepers program specifically employs returning citizens and participants of PowerCorps PHL. Tree Keepers covers all PPR-owned land and has worked at over 160 sites since its inception.

Continue reading about the Tree Keepers program

Mander Playground Youth Perform at Invisible River Event

On July 16, six of Mander Playground’s best dancers performed an African dance on the banks of the Schuylkill River at Invisible River’s BECK EPOCH event. For two weeks, the children practiced their choreography, led by their dance instructor Jonathan Delgado-Melendez of Invisible River. The event began with a procession from Mander Playground, down the Boxers’ Trail, to the banks of the Schuylkill River. Once the procession arrived, a number of dance troupes presented their dances to the crowd. The youth from Mander performed exquisitely and were given much applause. After the dance portion of the event was finished, the children kayaked on the river, raced each other on rowing machines, fished, and learned about the importance of the river. It was a wonderful event, and everyone at Mander would like to thank our friends at Invisible River, especially Jonathan Delgado-Melendez and Kristen Shahverdian, for including us in their celebration.

Photo: International Mud Day at Pennypack Environmental Center

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation celebrated International Mud Day at Pennypack Environmental Center on June 21. 25 children enjoyed mud-centric activities including mud art, mud kitchens, and mud science.

TriRock Philadelphia Triathlon

The TriRock Philadelphia Triathlon, Multisport Expo, Sprint Distance Race, Kids Fun Run, and Olympic Distance events took place Friday, June 24 through Sunday, June 26. 

The Sprint Distance athletes swim 800 meters, bike 15.7 miles, and run 3.1 miles. The Olympic Distance athletes swim 1,500 meters, bike 24.8 miles and run 6.2 miles. 2,200 participants finished over the course of two days, while 3,500 spectators on Saturday and 3,000 spectators on Sunday cheered them on. Click here for more information about the TriRock Philadelphia Triathlon.

Geraldo Montilla Shines During AEC Cares Day at Athletic Recreation Center

Geraldo Montilla was part of last summer’s Youth Workforce Development at Athletic Recreation Center. His responsibilities included watching the children and doing activities with them during the summer. He also completed a project with WorkReady on the topic of how spending time at recreation centers and enrolling in their programs can prevent gun violence.

Geraldo also worked during the recent AEC Cares Day at Athletic, a project that consisted of renovating the recreation center to create a more useful and inviting space to serve the Sharswood neighborhood. The project details included: renovation of the lobby, upgrading the auditorium and multipurpose room, and a complete overhaul of the kitchen.

Continue reading about Geraldo and AEC Cares Day

Chinese Delegation Visits PPR to Learn about Forestry Practices

On June 21, a delegation from the Forestry Department of Anhui Province in China paid a visit to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to learn about the City’s urban forestry practices and how those practices could be applied to forests in their province. The six-member delegation toured several U.S. cities as well as locations in Brazil. The delegates, who visited the Horticulture Center, were particularly interested in how PPR manages destructive insects and maintains biological diversity.

Continue reading about the Chinese delegation’s visit

What’s New at Roosevelt Playground?

Summer has been busy at Roosevelt Playground. Read on to find out about:

• Villanova STEM Session
• Fruit, Fun, & Nutrition
• Summer Reading Program
• Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

Photo: Philadelphia 76ers Draft Party at Eakins Oval

Despite the rain, over 3,000 families enjoyed the excitement of viewing the 2016 NBA Draft—as well as our number one pick Ben Simmons—on the big screens at the Philadelphia 76ers Draft Party held on June 23 at Eakins Oval. There was food, music, and an appearance by NBA legends Julius Erving and Allen Iverson!

Top Social Media Report

As we dive into the summer, many of our programs and amenities have been making a huge splash. The beginning of pool season, the launch of Parks on Tap and the highly-anticipated return of The Oval have captivated our followers. We've seen more growth and engagement on all of our accounts, showing that summer is prime time to utilize and enjoy our parks and playgrounds. People continue to peruse our lists of movie nights, concerts, fitness programs and other happenings. Our coordinators and partners have been planning tons of fun events, like nature walks, tours and more, enticing our followers to come out and enjoy our parks and facilities. Additionally, we've been highlighting a PPR superhero every week for National Park and Recreation Month, which has attracted a lot of attention from our appreciative followers.

Download our Top Social Media Report to learn more

Photo: Karate in the Park at Marconi Plaza

On July 14, The Mar­tial Arts Hero Fact­ory held Kar­ate in the Park at Mar­coni Plaza.

12th & Cambria Street Community Engagement Initiatives

How do healthy communities thrive? How do we galvanize people who want positive change that fundamentally begins with the self? How do elected officials and civil service institutions connect with positive doers and maximize the rare opportunity for genuine progressive development? The 12th and Cambria Street Advisory Board has implemented a Community Engagement Strategy to attempt to answer some of these vital questions in order to achieve favorable outcomes in the community.

Download the report on the Advisory Board’s community engagement strategy for more information.

Photo: Tennis at Francisville Rec Center

Campers from Martin Luther King, Athletic, Francisville, and Clemente Cluster Recreation Centers play tennis at Francisville.

Barbara McCabe Rides in 29th Annual Tour de Shore

On July 17, PPR’s Director of Strategic Engagement Barbara McCabe pedaled from Philadelphia to Atlantic City to raise money for the children and families of fallen police and firefighters in the 29th Annual Tour de Shore. The 65-mile bike ride began in Philadelphia at the Irish Pub on Walnut Street and ended with a celebration at the Irish Pub in Atlantic City. Congratulations to Barbara and the rest of her cycling team on their awesome ride!

Continue reading about Barbara’s ride in the Tour de Shore

The PPR Bike Repair Stop

It seems that the Stewardship Movie Team is a Jack & Jill of all trades! Stewardship was at Wharton Square Park on July 15 waiting for the sun to go down to show "Barbershop 3" when a little guy rode up on his busted bike. His brake cable snapped, and he had it tied around his handlebars. That's when Josh Bell (Park Manager 1) and Kyle Gaughan (RSI) came to the rescue. The guys flipped the bike over and went to work rethreading and clamping the brake so the kid would be safe. The boy said his bike broke about three months ago, and he couldn't get anyone to fix it — until the PPR movie night. Way to go, guys!

Photo: Rowing Camp at Lloyd Hall

Pictured above are youth who participated in the first of four two-week summer rowing camp sessions with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. At Lloyd Hall on historic Boathouse Row, young people ages 13-17 are taught the basics of the sport by veteran crew coaches and experienced rowers.  The camp is a great opportunity for local teenagers to get out on the river and learn how to row!