September, 2016

PPR Summer Camps by the Numbers

Every summer, PPR provides summer camp programs to thousands of kids throughout the city. These camps range from neighborhood day camps to outdoor adventure camps and visual or performing arts camps. Our amazing full-time, seasonal and Philadelphia Youth Network staff create unforgettable memories by introducing their campers to a variety of new experiences each day. This summer, camp staff members have pulled out all of the stops and packed their programs with unique activities and fun outdoor play, ensuring the campers will return year after year. PPR had over 7,700 campers in neighborhood day camps, 500 talented youth who participated in Performing Arts Camps, and 1,319 teens who were hired from the Philadelphia Youth Network to help create unforgettable memories for each and every camper this summer.

View this fun new infographic to explore more PPR summer camp numbers

Philly Fun Fishing Fest and Coast Day

On September 10, take part in the Philly Fun Fishing Fest and Coast Day to explore what Philadelphia’s waterways have to offer. The Philly Fun Fishing Fest, which will be held at Schuylkill Banks, offers a fishing contest with an awards ceremony featuring prizes in a variety of categories. This catch-and-release event is free and open to the public, with no fishing licenses needed for the duration of the event. The registration deadline is September 8.

Take a short walk up the river to Fairmount Water Works and enjoy more free fun at Pennsylvania Coast Day. The Water Works will host a variety of fun activities including a sneak peek at a new freshwater mussel hatchery. Free shuttle rides will be offered to Penn’s Landing for the Delaware River Coast Day festivities, which include boat rides, model ship races, crafts, exhibitors, and more!

Learn more about Philly Fun Fishing Fest and Coast Day

What is the Boxers’ Trail?

Nestled above the bustling Schuylkill River Trail and Kelly Drive in East Fairmount Park sits a quiet, wooded trail with a rich history called the Boxers’ Trail. The 3.8 mile trail starts at Sedgley Woods Disc Golf Course and winds along a wooded hilltop overlooking the Schuylkill and past several of East Fairmount Park’s historic mansions.

One great way to get to know and enjoy the Boxers’ Trail is to take part in the Boxers’ Trail 5K Walk/Run, which will be held September 10 this year. Stick around after the race to enjoy the annual Strawberry Mansion Community Day festivities, including fun activities, music, food, and neighborhood accolades. Click here to register for the race.

Continue reading about the Boxers’ Trail and the upcoming Boxers’ Trail 5K

City Receives $868,700 in Federal Funding for Fox Chase Lorimer Trail

The City of Philadelphia has been awarded more than $7 million in competitive federal funding for five projects that will improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion, including $868,700 for a half-mile multi-use trail connecting the Fox Chase Regional Rail station at Rhawn Street to over 16 miles of existing trails along the Pennypack Creek in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties. The funds come from the federal Competitive Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program and are distributed by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

The rail-to-trail will serve nearby residents, regional rail commuters, and the Fox Chase business district. The project will offer Philadelphians a new connection to the regional trail system and provide the Fox Chase neighborhood direct access to the amenities of Pennypack Park. 

Continue reading about the grant and the rail-to-trail project

Reminder: 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 is bringing a mobile beer garden from park to park for 14 weeks this summer and fall.

The beer garden spends several days in each 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. In the coming weeks, Parks on Tap will visit Paine’s Park, FDR Park, Fairmount Water Works, Mount Pleasant Park and Mansion, Powers Park, and Lemon Hill. Be sure to make it out to Parks on Tap before the end of the season!

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

Unity Cup Kicks Off September 9

Only two weeks remain until the start of the Philadelphia International Unity Cup! The Unity Cup is a World Cup-style tournament created to showcase the rich cultural diversity of the “City of Brotherly Love” and celebrate the athleticism, sportsmanship, and communities of participating players. The tournament kicks off on September 9 at Ramp Playground with match-ups between Mexico & Vietnam at 6:30 p.m. and Ireland & the United States at 8:30 p.m. View the entire tournament schedule.

In the meantime, Mural Arts, the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Small But Mighty, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation are hosting a series of free workshops where teams and community members will meet with artists to develop designs for Unity Cup team banners, which will be showcased in a parade of nations at the championship game at Citizens Bank Park. Come participate in a workshop to represent your community and have a part in the final banner design of the Unity Cup team you support!

Reminder: Bike and Boat at FDR Park

If you haven’t checked out Wheel Fun Rentals in FDR Park yet, then head down to this beautiful South Philly park for a unique experience you can’t miss! Cruise around the park on a surrey or tandem bike, or hop aboard a pedal boat or kayak to explore the lake. There are many options available for single riders and larger groups, making this a perfect day trip!

• When: Saturdays and Sundays (10am to sunset)
• Where: Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park (1500 Pattison Avenue)
• More Information and Pricing: Wheel Fun at FDR Park

Lackman Playground Ribbon Cutting

On August 11, PPR Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, City Councilman Brian O’Neill, Pennsylvania Senator John Sabatina, and Pennsylvania Representative Martina White dedicated recent updates to Lackman Playground in Northeast Philadelphia with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The updates to Lackman Playground include a new sprayground and an asphalt trike track to provide a fun and safe place for young children to ride. Lackman also received entrance and parking lot improvements with new fence work and guardrail, as well as new windows and air conditioners in the office and dance room.

Renovations to Lackman were made possible through a collaboration between Councilman O’Neill’s office, the Department of Public Property and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s Skilled Trades unit. PPR Skilled Trades staff provided assistance with the installation of the new fence and sprayground.

Continue reading about the Lackman Playground ribbon cutting

PPR Releases Comprehensive Philadelphia Street Tree Inventory

On Friday, August 5, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation released the first comprehensive inventory and interactive map of Philadelphia’s nearly 112,000 street trees. Using an online tool called CycloMedia that provides geo-referenced, high-definition street-views, PPR technicians virtually explored an image of each street tree in the city and identified its exact location.

This inventory now serves as a solid foundation for gathering and maintaining an accurate record of tree species type, size, and maintenance needs by PPR. It will be used as the basis for work orders, long term management plans, and to help better quantify the economic and environmental benefits of street trees. The street tree map is available on the Open Data Philly website, and citizens can use the data to create their own maps and monitor trees in their neighborhoods.

Continue reading about the street tree inventory or explore and download street tree data

Technology Center Ribbon Cutting at Fishtown Playground

On Friday, August 5, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of a new LNESC (LU­LAC Na­tion­al Edu­ca­tion­al Cen­ter) technology center at Fishtown Playground. The technology center, which is supported by AT&T, PPR, The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, and Work Ready Philadelphia, has been equipped with new computers, software, and curriculum and will help to serve youth and those who may not otherwise have computer access. Lab Director Shane Weller introduced a series of speakers and spoke about the lab’s brand new 3D printer. It was an exciting day at the Fishtown Playground!

Invasive Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Philadelphia

Tests have confirmed that the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive insect pest that has destroyed more than 100 million ash trees in North America since it first appeared in Detroit in 2002, has officially arrived in Philadelphia. In May, PPR’s Urban Forestry and Ecosystem Management Division obtained EAB pheromone traps from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry and installed them at locations along Cobbs Creek, Pennypack Creek, and Tacony Creek.

Several suspicious insects were collected by PPR staff from two traps along the Pennypack in mid-June, which were confirmed to be EAB. The city is likely to lose the majority of the ash trees in its parks, along its streets, and on homeowners’ properties in the next 5-10 years, but individual ash trees can be treated and protected from this pest or removed.

Read more about EAB’s arrival in Philadelphia and what you can do to combat this pest

Annual Lifeguard Competition Celebrates Comradery and Competition

On Thursday, August 11, PPR held its annual lifeguard competition. Lifeguards from all districts were present to compete in this fun PPR tradition. The lifeguard competition is a culmination and celebration of all the hard work that the lifeguards put in all summer. This year’s competition happened to take place in the midst of the swimming events of the Summer Olympics, allowing our talented lifeguarding staff to bring out their inner Katie Ledecky or Michael Phelps.

Continue reading about the annual lifeguard competition

Staff Profile: Beikim Gaines

Beikim Gaines has been working for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation for the past 18 years. He is currently a Grounds and Maintenance Facilities Worker 1 in PPR District 8, which covers parks and recreational facilities in West and Southwest Philadelphia. His job responsibilities include various maintenance and facilities-related tasks, such as maintaining sports fields, stripping and waxing floors, cleaning facilities, cutting grass, and making facilities repairs. His dependability, dedication, and commitment to getting the job done correctly make him a valuable member of the PPR team. 

If you see Beikim or another PPR maintenance staff member the next time you’re out enjoying one of the city’s outdoor spaces, be sure to thank him or her for a job well done!

Read Beikim’s full profile

Philly’s Best Fall Migration Birding Spots

If you ask someone when fall begins, they would mostly likely say September 22. For many birds, however, fall migration has already begun. From the mouth of Pennypack Creek in Pennypack Park, to the Schuylkill River Trail, to Andorra and Houston Meadows in Wissahickon Valley Park, learn where you can spot your favorite bird species this fall!

Continue reading about Philly’s fall birding spots

Freedom from Fire: 54th Annual Fire Prevention Drama Contest

On August 11, Philadelphia’s youth put on their acting shoes for the 54th Annual Fire Prevention Drama Contest. The Philadelphia Fire Department and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation have conducted this city-wide contest for over 50 years. Campers from recreation facilities throughout the city perform one-act plays that share the values of year-round awareness of fire prevention and fire safety. This year’s theme was “Freedom from Fire–Smoking & Health Issues Go Hand in Hand.”

Continue reading about the Fire Prevention Drama Contest

PPR Stewardship Unit Hosts Bus Tour of Six South Philly Parks

On August 6, the PPR Stewardship Unit hosted its fourth annual bus tour of parks throughout the city. This year, over 50 members of Park Friends Groups gathered in South Philly, making stops at FDR Park, Mifflin Square, Dickinson Square, Washington Avenue Green, and Ridgway Park, with a quick stop at Jefferson Square to take a peek at Parks on Tap.

In order to thank the Friends Groups for coming on the tour and sharing stories about their own parks, the Stewardship team treated everyone to lunch and raffled off prizes. While enjoying lunch, everyone shared their thoughts about the parks they visited. Many Friends said they visited a park they have never been to or known about, but they are excited to return to these spots again!

Continue reading about the annual Park Stewardship Bus Tour

2016 Philadelphia Bicycle Map

In early August, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission released a new Philadelphia Bicycle Map, which shows the current bicycle lanes, trails, and Indego bikeshare stations throughout the city. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation staff assisted with this effort by providing information on the city’s bike trails. The map also includes information about different types of bike facilities, bringing bikes on public transit, rules of the road, and safety tips.

View and download the 2016 Philadelphia Bicycle Map

Be Outside Teen Adventure Camp Visits Wildwood Beach

On August 1 and 2, teens from Gustine and Chalfont Recreation Centers visited the beach in Wildwood, New Jersey, as part of the Outdoor Teen Adventure Camp. The Wildwood Beach Patrol facilitated a great program for the campers, who toured the lifeguard headquarters and equipment, learned about the lifeguards’ morning routine, and watched the lifeguards compete in rowing, swimming, running, and paddle-boarding races. The campers also learned about basic water safety and ocean currents before enjoying a fun-filled beach day. They swam, boogie boarded, competed in beach competitions, and some even learned how to surf!

View more photos from the Be Outside Teen Adventure Camp’s Wildwood visit

Super Seasonals Celebration

PPR spent the month of August recognizing several “Super Seasonal” staff members across different divisions who go above and beyond their job responsibilities to help improve the city’s public green spaces, carry out PPR programs, and ensure the department runs smoothly. Some of these exceptional staff members have even been promoted to permanent positions because of their excellent work. Without our dedicated seasonal staff members, PPR’s work would not be possible!

 Congratulations to:

Read about the “Super Seasonal” staff members

Interview with an RSI Summer Camp Director

Lisa O'Neil is a summer camp Recreation Specialty Instructor (RSI) at Max Myers Playground who has been working with PPR for 21 years. Read about how she got her start as a summer camp RSI, what changes she has seen in her more than two decades of service, and what keeps her coming back year after year.

Read Lisa’s interview

FDR Park Beautification Project & Pop Up Tennis Clinic

On August 10, tennis legend Billie Jean King, the Philadelphia Freedoms, United Healthcare, Fairmount Park Conservancy, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation teamed up to beautify the tennis area and boathouse at FDR Park. Over 50 volunteers picked up trash, washed and painted courts, and provided general upkeep to neglected areas of the park in an effort to restore the park to its former glory and bring residents out to engage in more outdoor activities.

Continue reading about the beautification project and pop up tennis clinic at FDR Park

Spells Writing Lab Visits Fairmount Park Historic Mansions

On August 3, the Spells Writing Lab camp visited six historic houses in Fairmount Park. Spells Writing Lab is a Philadelphia-based non-profit organization that provides free creative and expository writing workshops to students in Philadelphia.

The Spells Writing Lab campers received a guided tour through Cedar Grove, Laurel Hill, Lemon Hill, Mount Pleasant, Woodford, and Strawberry Mansions. Campers explored the lives of notable colonial Philadelphians, experiencing an intimate telling about pirates, Quakers, British Loyalists, Patriots, and abolitionists who once lived in the homes.

Continue reading about the Spells Writing Lab

Assistant Recreation Leader AJ Wilson: A Natural Leader

Ajamu (AJ) Wilson is truly a man of his community. A native West Philadelphian, AJ has found a calling as Assistant Recreation Leader (ARL) of the Francis Myers Recreation Center in Southwest Philly. After three years at Francis Myers, AJ has found a new passion—gardening.

Continue reading about AJ and how he wants to share his knowledge of gardening with the community

Take-a-Hike Program Exposes Young Philadelphians to City’s Parks & Trails

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s new Take-A-Hike program really took off this summer. Take-A-Hike brings kids from PPR summer camps hiking, sharing the beauty of the city’s parks and trails with young Philadelphians. These hikes took place at the Wissahickon, Belmont Plateau, and Boxers’ Trails and were led by PPR Stewardship staff Jason Mifflin and AeLin Compton. During the hikes, campers learned about the importance of clean and healthy forests as well as about local plants and wildlife and their habitats. Each hike concluded at an exciting destination with a fun activity for the campers to participate in, such as a visit to the Wissahickon Environmental Center, a run through the Philly Pumptrack, or lessons and games at the Sedgley Woods Disc Golf Course.

A big thank you goes out to PPR’s Stewardship team for providing an incredible experience for Philadelphia’s youth.

Continue reading about the Take-a-Hike program

Mighty Fingers Facing Change Art Workshop at Athletic Recreation Center

On Monday, August 8, local artist Kelly Sullivan visited Athletic Recreation Center to lead an art workshop for about 40 girls. Along with the art lesson, she donated one of her finger paintings to be hung in the lobby to complement the newest renovations of the center.

Kelly runs an art program called Mighty Fingers Facing Change, which educates and empowers young girls through art. At the workshop, Kelly asked the girls to use markers and paint on brown paper bags to illustrate visual symbols representing the girls’ personal stories and how they would like to see their community grow. This guided self-portrait exercise inspires the girls to celebrate their individuality, learn more about themselves, and develop a sense of awareness and compassion for the world around them.

Continue reading about the Mighty Fingers Facing Change Art Workshop

Seasonal Maintenance Attendant Meeting at Dickinson Square Park

On August 9, PPR’s Park Stewardship Division held its mid-season meeting for Seasonal Maintenance Attendants (SMAs) at Dickinson Square Park in South Philadelphia. SMAs perform routine grounds and maintenance work and maintain and improve park areas through activities such as mowing, trimming, seeding, mulching, raking, and clearing debris and litter. 48 Park Stewardship SMAs are employed at over 70 sites across Philadelphia for the summer 2016 season.

The Park Stewardship Division wants to extend a huge thank you to the entire SMA team for all of their hard work and wish them good luck with the rest of their season!

Continue reading about the SMA meeting at Dickinson Square Park

Fox Chase Day Camp Visits Glen Foerd Mansion

On Friday, August 12, a group of kids from Fox Chase Recreation Center day camp visited the historic Glen Foerd Mansion Museum. This was the first year that any PPR camps visited to Glen Foerd. During the trip, the campers were given a tour of various rooms in the mansion and learned about the site’s history. They also did a variety of crafts that related to the lessons they learned throughout the day.

Continue reading about Fox Chase day camp’s visit to Glen Foerd Mansion

Wister Playground Ribbon Cutting

On August 9, PPR Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, Councilwoman Cindy Bass and Jane Golden, Executive Director of the Mural Arts Program, participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate recent improvements to Wister Playground in the Germantown section of Philadelphia.

The improvements included new fencing, play structures, site furniture, spray equipment, safety surfacing, and lighting at the existing football field. The playground’s basketball courts were enlarged and resurfaced, and a new mural designed by artist Willis Humphrey with mosaic work by Jonny Buss was painted. Wister will also serve more people as an inclusive playground, thanks to the incorporation of an ADA-compliant swing.

Continue reading about the ribbon cutting ceremony and renovations at Wister Playground

View photos of the newly renovated Wister Playground

Third Annual Philly Play Summer Challenge

On Wednesday, August 10, the third annual Philly Play Summer Challenge was held at the Riverfields in Northeast Philadelphia. This event was hosted by Councilman Bobby Henon and his staff with the help of PPR Sports and Athletics Coordinator Mike Grubb, various facility supervisors, and the northern maintenance crew led by Crew Chief Gerry White.

At the event, over 500 kids from PPR camps enjoyed a fun-filled day of activities including a mile-long obstacle course, tug of war, fencing lessons, and games. The National Guard helped the kids get warmed up with exercise before each camp completed the obstacle course. The children also enjoyed water ice, DJ entertainment, and a healthy lunch.

Tot Recreation and After School Program Enrollment

For the 2016-2017 school year, 29 Philadelphia Parks & Recreation facilities will be offering Tot Recreation Programs for children ages 3-5. Additionally, 78 After School sites will be offering After School Programs.

Find a facility near your home or school that offers these programs

Photo: Swim Philly Aqua Zumba

This photo was taken during an aqua Zumba class at Pleasant Playground Pool in Mount Airy. Through PPR’s Swim Philly program, weekly aqua Zumba and poolside yoga classes were offered at the Pleasant Playground and Francisville Playground pools throughout the summer. Learn more about the Swim Philly Program

The Historic Strawberry Mansion’s “Freedom to Go Forth” Exhibit

The Historic Strawberry Mansion is currently exhibiting “Freedom to Go Forth.” The exhibit features stories, facts, and imagery on modern-day and past slavery. Strawberry Mansion was selected to feature this exhibit because of the incredible and tireless anti-slavery work of the mansion's founder, William Lewis. Mr. Lewis utilized his legal acumen to fight for the abolition of slavery in Pennsylvania.  

Continue reading about the Freedom to Go Forth exhibit and the historic Strawberry Mansion