SEPTEMBER, 2015

Dear Friends:

Have you read the news lately? Philadelphia Parks & Recreation has caught the media’s attention! Our pools appeared on the cover of the Philadelphia Inquirer Weekend section*, as well as in articles and posts on PlanPhilly, Philadelphia Magazine, Metro and Flying Kite. Last month, the Schuylkill River Trail was named “Best Urban Trail” in USA Today’s 10 Best contest. Our FarmPhilly gardens captured the attention of the Philadelphia Daily News, Billy Penn and KYW, and the Philly Pumptrack was named City Parks Blog’s Frontline Park for July. Plus, there were our several wins in Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best of Philly” awards, including “Best Urban Space Transformation” for Venice Island and “Best City Running” for the Boxers’ Trail, detailed in this newsletter.

Of course, the press doesn’t capture everything we do. Behind those clean public pools is a team of Operations staff maintaining liquid chlorinators, motors and pumps, and ensuring pools have needed supplies. Staff from several divisions collaborate to pull off our prominent events series like The Oval and Essence of Entertainment at the Dell, and months of planning go into each of our programs and camps. While these efforts may not be mentioned explicitly in each article, they are reflected in the positive coverage of the final products that we receive.

The department and its staff deserve every bit of praise. Thank you for your service, and please enjoy your upcoming vacations and holidays.

*Check out the “In the Media” section of this newsletter for links to the articles.

World Meeting of Families

Reminder: Please look to your supervisor for updates as we prepare for the World Meeting of Families (September 22-25, 2015).

Best of Philly Awards

Congratulations to this year’s Philadelphia Magazine Best of Philly winners from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation:

• Best Urban Space Transformation: Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center
• Best Place to Play Bocce: Bardascino Park
• Best Free-range Fun: Philly Pumptrack
• Best City Running Trail: Boxers’ Trail
• Best Urban Hike: Wissahickon Valley Park

Invisible River

On Saturday, August 29 from 2-8 p.m., witness INVISIBLE RIVER 2015, an arts festival in East Fairmount Park on the Schuylkill River. Festival activities include a drum line processional down to the river, boat rentals on the Schuylkill, interactive art about the Schuylkill, food vendors and a beer garden. The grand finale is a performance on water-- 22 stand-up paddleboard dancers encircling the Strawberry Mansion Bridge while aerialists descend from above it! Paid and free boat rentals are available. To purchase a boat ticket for the finale, reserve a boat rental, and find out more information about the event, please visit www.invisibleriver.org.

2015 PPR Aquatics Recap

It was a great summer for PPR Aquatics, as shown by the several stories in this newsletter. Lisa Whittle, Aquatics and Ice Rinks Coordinator, finally got a chance to sit down and share the highlights from the following PPR Aquatics events:

• Little Quaker Swim Meet
• Youth Swim Meet
• Lifeguard Competition
• Pop-up Pool Project
• Lifeguard Class at Kendrick

Download Lisa’s 2015 PPR Aquatics Recap report to learn more about these events

East Park Canoe House Groundbreaking

On July 30, Mayor Michael A. Nutter, joined by Deputy Mayor Michael DiBerardinis, Temple University President Neil D. Theobold and H.F. Gerry Lenfest, participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the East Park Canoe House, which will serve as the home for the Philadelphia Police Marine Unit and Temple University’s rowing and crew teams. In total, the Canoe House will receive more than $5 million of renovations, including $3 million from the Lenfest Foundation and $2.5 million from the City of Philadelphia.

The project, which is expected to be completed in 12-18 months, will restore the building’s exterior, renovate office and storage space for Temple’s rowing and crewing team and the Philadelphia Police Department Marine Unit, provide new locker rooms and update the public restrooms. The PPD Marine Unit will be located on the second floor of the facility, providing increased visibility up and down the river.

Continue reading about the East Park Canoe House groundbreaking

PPR Annual Picnic and Field Day

Lots of fun was had by all who attended the 2015 Staff Picnic on August 21 at the Belmont Grove in West Fairmount Park. 160 staff attended along with 17 members of PowerCorps PHL to help set up and enjoy some lunch. Cheesesteaks, beef and veggie burgers, hot dogs, penne pasta and salad were washed down by tea and lemonade so sweet all the Grove’s bees and their mother came out to try it! Deputy Mayor/Commissioner DiBerardinis thanked the crowd and spoke about how great the opportunity to relax and have fun was, considering how much fun and relaxation we provide to Philadelphians every day.

Continue reading about the 2015 PPR Picnic and Field Day

2015-2016 After School Programs

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s After School Programs provide safe places and structured activity during non-school hours for children to learn and grow. Children receive homework assistance, play games, participate in sports and experience enhanced visual and performing arts programming. Additional supports include a conflict resolution unit, snacks, and a bus trip to a museum or entertainment venue. Healthy snacks are served each day.

Our programs operate Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Download our list of 2015-2016 After School Program facilities to find one near you.

Belmont Plateau Hall of Fame Classic

Sunday, August 30, 9 a.m.

Celebrate 50 years of the Belmont Plateau at the 1st Annual Belmont Plateau Cross Country Classic. Run on this historic, iconic Philadelphia course and see the new trail signage made possible by fundraising efforts from the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.

Register for the 1-mile run/walk or 5,000-meter race

Playstreet Book Club Pilot Program

This summer, Mayor Michael A. Nutter launched the Playstreet Book Club, a pilot program that aims to help address summer reading loss among children who receive USDA-funded free summer meals. The Book Club operates at select locations by providing children with five free, take-home books. The Playstreet Book Club, which is administered by Fun Safe Philly Summer in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Foster Grandparents, Nutritional Development Services, and Mayor’s Office staff and volunteers, also offers literacy assessments and activities led by Foster Grandparents, a Senior Corps program of the Corporation for National & Community Service. In total, the Playstreet Book Club has provided approximately 2,500 books to about 500 children at 16 meal sites across the city.

Learn more about the Playstreet Book Club Pilot Program

Highlights from The Oval

With more than 70,000 visitors during its six weeks of free games, movie nights, concerts and workshops, the third summer season of The Oval was a big success! Thank you to all of the staff, partners and sponsors who made Philadelphia’s “Park on the Parkway” possible, and thanks to everyone who visited.

Video: Making of Summer Kaleidoscope at The Oval

Watch the Mural Arts Program’s footage of Baltimore-based artists Jessie Unterhalter and Katey Truhn (“Jessie & Katey”) paint this year’s “Summer Kaleidoscope” theme at The Oval.

Junior Farmers visit The Oval

In late July, Youth Growers from all over the city gathered at The Oval on a sunny Friday afternoon to celebrate their hard work and enjoy the literal fruits of their labor. Junior Farmers from 8th and Diamond Playground in North Philly, accompanied by Garden Educator Sarah Morris, represented Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s youth urban agriculture programming.

Continue reading about the Youth Farmers Market at The Oval

Fall Fishing Program at the Fish Hatchery in Pleasant Hill Park

PPR's Stewardship Division is proud to offer a Fall Fishing Program at The Fish Hatchery in Pleasant Hill Park. This program will be open to all PPR's After School Programs and will run on Wednesdays and Fridays from September 9-November 14.

After School Programs can reserve fishing trips on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4-5:30 p.m. (*5 p.m. end after Daylight Savings Time). For reservations, contact Ann Teszner in the Stewardship Office at 215-683-3679. Cost is $50 per trip (just like summer day camp trips). Rods, bait and basic instruction is included.

We will also be open on Saturdays! Community Fishing Days at Pleasant Hill Park for kids under 16 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Rods, bait and basic instruction provided. This Saturday program is FREE, and it’s First Come, First Fish! The last day of the Fall Fishing Program is Saturday, November 14, 2015, which just happens to be LOVE YOUR PARK DAY!

Please cast your line and spread the word!

Photo: Jazz in the Park

This summer, Morris Estate Cultural Center hosted a series of Jazz in the Park concerts on its football field. The series was sponsored by City Councilwoman Cindy Bass and State Representative Stephen Kinsey; run by Serena Sol Brown; and attended by many West Oak Lane neighbors!

Boxers’ Trail 5K Run & Walk

On September 12, 2015, walk or run the scenic cliff paths of the Boxers’ Trail in East Fairmount Park where heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier trained.

Proceeds from the Boxers’ Trail 5K benefit East Fairmount Park and Mander Recreation Center, which organizes youth programs, including runs along the Boxers’ Trail.

Registration is at 8:30 a.m., and the race begins at 9:30 a.m. Register for the Boxers’ Trail 5K.

Also, stick around for Strawberry Mansion Day at Mander Recreation Center from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on September 12.

New Engineers Blossom on STEM Day

In January 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $1 million grant to Villanova University to study urban stormwater management in Philadelphia. Post-doc Kim DiGiovanni, PhD, and Civil Engineering Associate Professor Bridget Wadzuk, PhD, members of the Villanova Urban Stormwater Partnership, hosted a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Day as a part of this grant. On July 31, 35 children ages 5 to 12 came to Villanova’s campus for a day filled with activities related to water resources and civil engineering.

The STEM Day participants were from the Roosevelt Park Playground location of the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation REACH Summer Camp program. REACH includes Villanova in its mission to promote an appreciation for the environment and outdoors through wellness services. In addition to STEM Day, Villanova runs monthly STEM activities with the REACH after school program.

Continue reading about Roosevelt Playground Summer Camp’s visit to Villanova University

2015 Philly Fun Fishing Fest

Enjoy a morning of free catch-and-release fishing and friendly competition on Schuylkill Banks! The Fishing Fest is perfect for anglers of all ages and level of experience. No fishing license is required during the fishing competition and fishing gear will be available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis. The fishing portion of the event will be held on Saturday, September 12 from 7 a.m. to 11 a. m. on Schuylkill Banks by Walnut Street, with an awards ceremony at 11:30. Prizes will be awarded in various categories (must be present to claim prize).

Registration and Release of Liability are required to fish at the Fishing Fest. Visit http://www.phillywatersheds.org/fishingfest for links to both of these or call 215-685-6300. The registration must be completed ahead of time, and the release form must be brought on the day of the event in order to participate.

A2O: Arts & Artists Outdoors

Join Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program for the next year of A2O: Arts & Artists Outdoors, a free after school program that engages students (ages 10-14) in environmental art-making and an exploration of their local green space in order to cultivate an appreciation of the natural and environmental assets of Philadelphia.

Students meet with a local artist twice a week at their recreation center to engage in hands-on arts activities that highlight the natural resources of their neighborhood.

Fall 2015: October 5-December 10

Spring 2016: March 7-May 12

Participating Sites:

• Chew Playground, 1800 Washington Avenue
• Dorsey Playground, 6501 Hegerman Street
• Mander Recreation Center, 2140 N 33rd Street
• Mill Creek Playground, 743-81 N 48th Street
• Wright Recreation Center, 3320-50 Haverford Avenue

Did You Know that PPR Has Jewels that Shimmer Along the River?

That’s right; PPR has an array of access points that connect visitors and communities to the North Delaware riverfront. One of our recent acquisitions happened in the summer of 2014 when the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission transferred the Frankford & Tacony boat launches over to Parks & Recreation. This summer is our first full season operating the reconfigured Frankford launch area due to the plant expansion of the delicatessen foods giant Dietz and Watson. Discover the offerings of the other sparkling sites that dot our waterfront corridor:

• Frankford Boat Launch (Tacony St.): Offers plenty of parking for boat launch, fishing or just relaxing at the water’s edge
• Glen Foerd on the Delaware (Grant Ave. & State Rd.): A stately Italianate mansion with sweeping views of the river from their beautifully landscaped grounds. This facility is open year-round and offers weekend tours.

Continue reading about North Delaware riverfront parks

Available PPR Jobs

Visit http://ph.ly/PPR_Jobs for information on the following positions:

• Workforce Recreation Specialty Instructors
• Communications Associate

Both opportunities have an application deadline of August 31

Vogt Invitational Swim Meet

Vogt Recreation Center held its annual Vogt Invitational Swim Meet on July 30 with over two hundred participants from throughout Recreation District 2. The swim meet went on without a hitch from Mother Nature--with storm warnings from every television and radio station, the swim meet finished just before the bad weather hit Tacony hard. Every smiling child that participated in the swim meet received a ribbon for placing first, second or third. 

The Vogt staff prides itself on encouraging children to become more involved in aquatics with this event. A number of our current lifeguards got their start in aquatics in events just like the Vogt Invitational Swim Meet. Hopefully, a number of future Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Lifeguards had a great time at Vogt today as well.

The Vogt staff would like to thank all those that participated and helped with the event. Without your efforts as participants and volunteers, we would not have been able to hold such a large successful aquatic event.

Stewardship Unit Parks Bus Tour Travels NE Philly

The PPR Stewardship Unit could moonlight as tour guides as they organized another successful bus tour of Northeast Philadelphia river parks and surrounding community parks.

Last summer, the Stewardship Unit toured Northwest Philly parks such as Gorgas Park, Roxborough Resorvior and Ned Wolf Park, to name a few stops. The feedback from bus tour invitees was so positive and supportive, the Stewardship Unit decided to make this an annual event.

On Saturday, August 1 about 50 members of Park Friends Groups boarded a tour bus at Pennypack on the Delaware and were treated to a counter-clockwise tour of Pleasant Hill Park/Fish Hatcheries, Wissinoming Park, Overington Park and Lardner’s Point Park.

Continue reading about the Stewardship Unit Bus Tour

Top Social Media Posts

With the launch of the Find Your Path brand, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation increased our online presence through the use of multiple social media platforms, enabling the department to engage with citizens on a daily basis, as well as learn about which topics, events and programs citizens are interested in learning more about.

Download our social media report to see some of the most popular posts within the past month.

Photo: Speak Up, Lace ‘em Up Event

On August 10, Mayor Michael Nutter, District Attorney Seth Williams and other City leaders visited Simons Recreation Center for conversations with Mount Airy youth and adults about community concerns, followed by a basketball game.

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SMA Mid-summer Forum

The position of Seasonal Maintenance Attendant (SMA) in our parks is an important one, as these are the men and women who are on the frontlines of our neighborhood parks and recreation centers for cleanup and tidy up. They empty the trash, sweep the paths and pull the weeds, among other duties.

Recently, SMAs were invited for a half-day refresher course at Dickinson Square in Pennsport to get caught up with park procedures, tool handling, minor tree tending and a Q&A session.

Attendees also were given new staff shirts, jackets and hats, as well as a classic Philly lunch of hoagies, Tastykakes and soft pretzels. Enjoy the rest of the season!

District 7 Fun Day

Fun, entertainment, excitement and competition were on full display on August 7 at FDR Park for the 4th Annual District 7 Fun Day. Campers from over a dozen playgrounds and recreation centers had the opportunity to participate in fun-filled activities. Some were engaged and enthralled by the magic and entertainment of Mike Bonacci. Other campers were empowered by Shara Gordon of Hawthorne Cultural Center to harness their imaginations and discover their talent with an arts & crafts project. All of the camps entered the competitive Kickball Tournament to see which day camp team could come together as one and kick the ball further to outscore their opponent. Still others just relaxed, socialized with friends, and listened and danced to music by DJ Jimmy Lamb. Each camper was treated to a refreshing pop ice dessert before heading back to their centers.

District 7 Fun Day is just one example of the positive difference that Parks & Recreation Program staff make in our communities. The event serves as a teachable moment for the kids in our day camps because they get to interact with, and get to know, kids from different neighborhoods. It highlights our similarities-- the common ground upon which we all stand.

Thank you to District 7 Program Manager Joe Brogan for his support of this event. Thanks to Recreation Supervisors Deb Darroyo, Jessica Porco, Brian Conti, Anthony Spadaccini, Brendan Gibson, Shara Gordon, Shawn Wilson, John Medica, Kristin Smerker, Lisa Summers, Shane Martin, Mike Grubb, Joe Scarpello, and the District 7 Maintenance Crew.

Reminder: Movie Nights in Parks

The Outdoor Movie Night season is winding down, but it’s not over yet! Check out our list of 2015 movie nights for remaining screenings at:

• Starr Garden Playground
• Hagert Playground
• Shot Tower Playground
• Clark Park
• Hawthorne Park
• Schuylkill Banks

Video: Citywide Youth Swim Meet

On August 12, the PPR swim team season culminated with the Annual Youth Swim Meet at Lee Cultural Center. Top finishers from district swim meets competed in 32 different individual events and 5 relays. Watch a video recap of the Youth Swim Meet.

Staff Changes

Promotions
Brianne Cropps, Recreation Leader I
Valerie Arhondakis, Parks & Recreation Program Manager
        
Resignations
Angel Guzman, Assistant Recreation Leader     
Michael Deegan, Assistant Recreation Leader

Retirements
Steven Goodwin, Recreation Facilities Caretaker 2
Dennis Seddon, Recreation Leader II
Barry Salow, Recreation Leader II
Carl Burman, Recreation Outreach Worker

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Photo: Study Session at Gustine

PPR seasonal employees and participants in the Youth Workforce Development program study for the August 1 Assistant Recreation Leader civil service test. This is the first (but not the last!) time PPR has hosted study sessions of this sort.

National Night Out at Marconi Plaza

On August 3, nearly 300 individuals gathered in South Philadelphia’s Marconi Plaza for the National Night Out Kick-off Rally. The annual event aimed at promoting and improving police-community partnerships in Philadelphia neighborhoods was presented by Town Watch Integrated Services in partnership with the Friends of Marconi Plaza, and enabled police officers from the 1st, 3rd and 17th Districts, neighborhood organizations, and local citizens to gather their resources and mingle amongst each other. Mayor Michael Nutter, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and Councilman David Oh were present to address the crowd, noting the importance of community relations with the Police Department in improving the safety of all Philadelphia neighborhoods and acknowledging the extensive and disciplined work of the officers in attendance. Throughout the three-hour event, participants enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers, lawn games, free face painting, and live entertainment--some coming from the police officers themselves! Notably, Lieutenant Penn from the 17th District surprised everyone with an inspiring rendition of “Listen” from the feature film Dreamgirls. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation was present at the highly successful event to provide department and program information, as well as field questions, and enjoy an evening out with the citizens that we serve on a daily basis.

Star Gazing at Roosevelt Playground

On August 12, approximately 75 children and adults enjoyed free pretzels and drinks while attending the Star Gazing Party at Roosevelt Playground.

Led by Claude from the Franklin Institute, the group viewed the Big Dipper, Saturn and its rings, and the brightest star in our sky-- Arcturus.

This program was developed as part of the Vogt Custer. It was exciting to see the community turning out for a very different activity. Some folks even bought their own telescopes, and the kids waited patiently to get a better view from Claude's higher magnification telescope.

Thanks to Claude and the other City Skies Partners from the Franklin Institute, DJ and Beth from our After School Program who attended the training sessions and came back Wednesday night to help with the party, our Summer Camp staff who delivered 600 flyers to local households to promote the event, and Moria Miller for promoting the event via citywide social media platforms. We are looking forward to our next party tentatively scheduled for mid-October.

Congrats, Jamie!

This spring Jamie Lohse, Recreation Leader 3 at Samuel Rec Center, had her wedding photos taken at Pleasant Hill Park, where she once worked as a seasonal at the fish hatchery. District Manager Anthony Bocchicchio was in her wedding party. Congratulations, Jamie!

View more pictures from Jamie’s wedding

Photo: 2015 Golf Camp

The last session of PPR’s summer golf camp wrapped up on August 7. Watch out for these pros on the green!

Photo: District 4 Summer Camp Basketball League Championship

In a close game, Pleasant Playground defeated McDevitt 30 to 27 in the District 4 Summer Camp Basketball League championship.

New Employee Forms

Our internal website, www.pprinfo.com, has helpful tools to get your new employees set up with email and internet, hardware and software, building passes, and keys to office furniture. Visit www.pprinfo.com, click “Forms & Reports” and then select “New Employee Forms” for more information.

Find Your Path Story: Houston Engagement

Houston Playground tends to hold a special place in a lot of people’s hearts. The recreation center is known for its wonderful facilities, sports leagues, and day camps. Where kids can go to be kids, foster friendships, and enjoy the beauty of nature. For Mollie and Ryan, Houston is an extra special place.

As kids, Mollie and Ryan could always be found at Houston hanging with friends and exploring the playground. Little did they know, years down the line, the same place that provided them with countless childhood memories would also be the place that would bring them together. The couple met in the summer of 2005 at Houston and started dating in July of 2008.

Continue reading about Mollie and Ryan’s Houston engagement

Summer Fun: Rizzo Rink Camp Field Trips

This summer, Rizzo Rink’s summer day camp took field trips to TNT Amusements and North Bowl. At TNT Amusements, the children spent two hours playing in the arcade. Camp leadership selected North Bowl because “Bowling is a very social, common activity, and exposing kids to it now is a good way to improve their knowledge and understanding of a very popular game.” The kids were split into teams to play bumper bowling, and enjoyed pizza and drinks at the bowling alley as well. The trip highlight? Any time the kids cheered after getting a strike or spare, or just hit a lot of the pins.

Videos: Bridesburg Summer Camp

Find out what happened at Bridesburg Rec Center’s Day Camp during Week 5, Week 6 and Week 7!

Energy-saving Tip

Set thermostats to 78°F in summer, 68°F in winter.

Video: District 2 Swim Meet

Watch a video recap of the July 29 District 2 Swim Meet at Bridesburg Pool