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December 2017

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Dear Staff:


It’s almost December, and I cannot believe we’re already looking forward to holiday events and winter programs. In addition to all of the festive celebrations lighting up our parks and facilities this season -- a few of which are featured in this newsletter -- I’m looking forward to seeing all of you at the PPR Employee Recognition & Holiday Luncheon on Monday, December 18! This year’s luncheon promises to be a very special celebration, with a photo booth, DJ, and a raffle for ten great prizes. (If you haven’t already, be sure to RSVP by Monday, December 11 using the registration form).


At this annual event, we also honor our retirees and 25-year employees, people who have given so much to both PPR and Philadelphia at large with their creativity, hard work, and dedication. As I reflect on those contributions this year, they take on a new layer of resonance. We’re heading into the final stages of a strategic planning process that has asked us to zero in on the values we hold close as a department. Throughout the process, I’ve been continually reminded of the ways each of you embody those values on a daily basis. Over this past year, I’ve witnessed you all connecting deeply with the citizens that you serve: giving of your time to celebrate our city’s diversity at the Unity Cup, serving as positive role models to children in our After School programs and summer camps, and responding to communities’ park maintenance requests with speed and skill.


Whatever the challenges you face along the way, I’ve seen that PPR staff never, ever give up. You stand ready to tackle any difficult situation, whether it’s snow and ice… or a series of major events! The work that we do is not all fun and games, but through your tenacity in taking on even the toughest projects, you exemplify Philly’s grit, showing your pride in our city and our department. Your efforts make Philadelphia a better place for all of its citizens to live, play, and grow. And so, in light of this season of gratitude and giving, I want to thank each of you for the gifts you share with this city. I’m honored to work alongside you.


Thanks, as always, for your dedicated service.


Kathryn Ott Lovell


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Holiday Events with Philly Parks & Rec

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year: the holiday season in Philly! Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) staff, volunteers, partners, and Park Friends have planned plenty of winter celebrations, from holiday markets and greens sales, to festive tours and performances. Here’s just a few:

  • A Very Philly Christmas at Historic Houses of Fairmount Park (now through Sunday, December 31): Five of Fairmount Park’s historic homes are decked out in holiday decorations and open for “December Drop In” days throughout the month. Four special events will showcase Philly residents’ talents: Sounds of the Season (Saturday, December 2), Family Day (Sunday, December 3), Neighbor’s Day (Saturday, December 9), and Flavors of the Season (Sunday, December 10). 
  • Christmas Village at LOVE Park (now through Sunday, December 24): Get a sneak peek at improvements to LOVE Park… and get your holiday shopping done! The Christmas Village is an open-air holiday market offering gift ideas galore, plus authentic European food and drink.
  •  A Toymaker’s Christmas at Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center (Wednesday, December 20 at 7:30pm): Enjoy a free screening of an original holiday play by PPR Recreation Leader Bill Arthur!

See a full list of PPR holiday events.

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Boathouse Row Holiday Lightings

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Boathouse Row will brighten up the winter nights with holiday-themed lights this December! Mark your calendar for colorful light displays, starting at 6pm each night:

  • Hanukkah: From Tuesday, December 12 through Tuesday, December 19, Boathouse Row will light a new house each night to symbolize the candles in a menorah.
  • Christmas: The houses of Boathouse Row will be aglow in red, green, gold, and silver from Wednesday, December 20 through Monday, December 25, with an animated five-minute show at the top of the hour.
  • Kwanzaa: From Tuesday, December 26 through Monday, January 1, Boathouse Row will be lit up for Kwanzaa. A new house will be lit each night, representing the candles in the kinara.

 

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Job Opportunity

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space Community Propagation Specialist (January-September 2018): Philadelphia Parks & Recreation's Horticulture Center is currently seeking a seasonal employee to propagate annual vegetables for PPR’s Junior Farmers program and the Carousel House Farm, coordinate a community propagation program, and provide public engagement and weekly tours of the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center and grounds for the general public and school groups.

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PPR Ice Rinks Now Open

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It’s time to lace up those skates… Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s ice rinks are now open! Operated in partnership with Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation, each location offers a variety of programs, including ice hockey, figure skating, and skating lessons. You can also drop in for free public skating times: just bring your own skates, or rent a pair on-site for a small fee. Fight off winter cabin fever with a trip around the rink at:

  • Laura Sims Skate House: 63rd St & Walnut St, 19139
  • Rizzo Ice Rink: 1001 S Front St, 19147
  • Scanlon Ice Rink: 1099 E Tioga St, 19134
  • Simons Ice Rink: 7200 Woolston Ave, 19138
  • Tarken Ice Rink: 6250 Frontenac St, 19111

Check out the public skate schedules for PPR ice rinks.

 

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Unity Cup Tournament Recap: Liberia Wins the Cup

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After weeks of tough competition, last year’s Unity Cup runner-up is this year’s champion: on November 11 at Lincoln Financial Field, Team Liberia won out over Sierra Leone to take this year’s cup! Earlier in the day, Jamaica bested Puerto Rico to earn third place. In addition to the action-packed matches, game day highlights included a naturalization ceremony welcoming 27 new US citizens, and the Parade of Nations, representing the 48 teams in this year’s tournament. Congratulations to all of the participating teams – and thanks to our sponsors, partners, staff, volunteers, and fans, who helped make the second-ever Unity Cup fun and friendly for all.


Read a recap of the 2017 Unity Cup Tournament and check out our championship day photos.

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LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day by the Numbers

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Thank you x 2,300+: that’s the number of volunteers who came out to clean, green, and celebrate Philly parks for this year’s LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day! This annual event, coordinated by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy, and the Park Friends Network, gets our green spaces prepped for winter weather. Working in 93 parks citywide, this year’s volunteers collected 1,082 bags of trash, planted 83 trees and 9,000 flower bulbs, and gathered 2.96 tons of leaves and other organic materials, which will be converted into compost at the Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center. Thanks to all of our Park Friends and volunteers for showing our park system some LOVE this fall!


Learn more about other opportunities to volunteer with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.

 

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TreePhilly Fall Updates

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What’s new with TreePhilly this fall? The program continues to make Philly the “City of Arborly Love” with tree plantings and giveaways:

  • On October 12, TreePhilly staff teamed up with volunteers and partners to plant 25 trees in McPherson Square, thanks to a TD Tree Days grant. Learn more about McPherson Square’s TD Tree Days plantings.
  • Photo above: A few weeks later, the TreePhilly team distributed 1,345 trees through their fall yard tree giveaways. Popular picks included fig trees and Sweetbay Magnolia, offered for the first time this fall. A fun fact from TreePhilly staff: “Trees planted in the fall actually have a bit of an advantage: the long months of cool, wet weather give them time to establish their roots before the heat of summer!” Stay tuned for next year’s yard tree giveaways.

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Meet Civic Engagement Manager Naomi Roberson Reid

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Philadelphia Parks & Recreation welcomes new Civic Engagement Manager Naomi Roberson Reid! Naomi will be working with Recreation Advisory Councils, recreation leaders, and other community partners to support our rec centers’ operations and outreach. Naomi previously served as Coordinator of Community Programs for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, building relationships and community arts strategies in Brewerytown, Fairmount, and Mantua. Before that, she was Program Manager at Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse, advocating for the power of play.


Get involved with your local Recreation Advisory Council.

 

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Recent Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreakings

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The weather may be cooling down, but at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, we’re warming up with big plans and projects: from playground renovations, to trail connections, to brand-new parks! A few of our recent announcements:

  • Max Myers Playground will be receiving new savanna-inspired play equipment;
  • Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center are heading into the first phase of a multimillion-dollar improvement project;
  • Donald Finnegan Playground debuted new ADA-approved playground structures;
  • Finley Recreation Center broke ground on a new playground, sprayground, and more;
  • Bridesburg is getting a new 10-acre park along the Delaware River;
  • The Schuylkill River Swing Bridge, donated by Conrail, is the latest linkage in the Schuylkill River Trail!

Learn more about our recent ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings.

 

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East Park Canoe House Wins Preservation Award

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After eight years of preservation efforts – and 103 years in existence! – the East Park Canoe House reopened this past spring. Serving Temple University’s rowing team, the Philadelphia Police Marine Unit, and the general public, the Spanish Mission Revival structure has earned praise for its successful restoration. Most recently, the East Park Canoe House received a Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Construction Project Award from Preservation Pennsylvania. The award recognizes Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, SMP Architects, and Heritage Design Collaborative for their work on the rehab of this one-of-a-kind recreational structure, which balances the building’s historic identity with its modern use.


Learn more about the East Park Canoe House.

 

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Philly Wildlife: The Swans of Philadelphia

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By Tony Croasdale, Environmental Education Planner, Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center
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In the 1950s, swans were intentionally released into the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. I was asked recently if the swans seen in Philadelphia today were the descendants of these swans. To begin to answer the question, I need to know which species of swan they were referring to, as there are three species of swan seen in Philadelphia.


Learn more about Philly swans – and where you can spot them!

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Forest Restoration at Fairmount Park Horticulture Center

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The Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Ecosystem Management team has recently awarded a major forest restoration project to All Seasons Landscaping to perform restoration work throughout the forested areas surrounding the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center. The project area totals approximately 30 acres and includes three distinct project sites, identified as Lansdowne Glen (13 acres), Montgomery Creek (11 acres) and Michaux Grove (6 acres).


Learn more about upcoming forest restoration work near the Horticulture Center, due to kick off in mid-December.

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PPR’s Star Players Journey Into the Woods


By John McBride, Recreation Leader
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The Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center recently hosted The Star Players of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation – the department’s premier adult community theatre group – and their production of Into the Woods. This musical journey into what happens after “happily ever after” opened with the words “Once upon a time…” from the narrator, PPR’s very own John McBride, and from there the audience was treated to an astounding show!


Read on to follow PPR’s Star Players Into the Woods.

 

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Wakefield Park Beautification Project

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Photo credit: Lori Hayes, Director of Urban Forestry
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Noticed a few changes at Northwest Philly’s Wakefield Park recently? This past month, Wakefield received some special attention from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR), with an assist from the city’s Streets and Water Departments. The site was selected for a beautification project at the request of community members, La Salle University, Central High School, and PPR staff. Over the course of 13 days, staff cleared the park’s perimeter, pulling out plenty of debris and dumped items to help clean up the site… including a whopping 5.5 tons of dumped tires! They also removed more than 481 tons of vegetation and eight crane-loads of trees. In the future, boulders will be added to the park perimeter to prevent short dumping.


A big thank you to our great partners at Streets and Water, as well as to the PPR staff who helped out with this project, including Heavy Equipment Operators from across the city and grounds crews from Districts 3 and 4. Thanks also to Grounds Maintenance Supervisor John Smeltzer and Director of Urban Forestry Lori Hayes for their oversight and leadership on-site each day.

 

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Nutcracker Doll Contest

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This November, kids of all ages participated in Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s annual Nutcracker Doll Contest, crafting characters from The Nutcracker ballet out of fabric, papier mâché, recycled materials, and more. (See just a few of the dozens of dolls created in the photo above!) Winners were selected on November 22 and will each receive two tickets to the Pennsylvania Ballet. Look out for the dolls on display at 1515 Arch Street, the Academy of Music, and the Free Library Children’s Department, starting in mid-December. Congratulations to all of the talented artists participating!

 

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Chinese State Forestry Administration Professionals Visit Greenland Nursery

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On November 3, a group of 24 forestry professionals from the Chinese State Forestry Administration paid a visit to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. The delegation of forest managers, researchers, and academics had requested a meeting with PPR Ecosystem Management staff to discuss forest management practices in Philadelphia and to learn about our seed collection and propagation work. PPR staff members Tom Witmer and Max Blaustein hosted the group at Greenland Nursery in West Fairmount Park and gave a brief overview of the work the division does to manage the natural resources within the city.


Read more about the forestry professionals’ visit.

 

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Staff Profile: Recreation Leader 3 Gina Batavick

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If you’ve visited a Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) playground or rec center, you’ve probably met a Recreation Leader. These staffers are on the front lines of PPR: planning and coordinating activities, working with youth, and identifying how our rec centers can better serve their communities. The role includes a variety of responsibilities, but for Rec Leader 3 Gina Batavick, it’s all about the kids: “My favorite part of the job is interacting with the kids. I’ll have ten kids in my office at any given time, coloring or playing. I’d rather be with the kids than doing anything else; of course, I can’t always do that, but that’s what I like.”


Learn more about Gina – and what it takes to be a great rec leader – in this month’s staff profile!

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Staff Changes

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New Hires:
Esmeralda Hajdinaj, Community Initiatives Specialist
Carlos Heath (Transfer from Street Department), Heavy Equipment Operator 2
Matthew McNerney, Tree Maintenance Worker
Frances Scarborough, Recreation Outreach Worker
Justin Squires, Tree Maintenance Worker

Promotions:
Derrick Barker, Stores Worker
Catherine Brown, Older Adult Center Director
Charles Fambrough, Grounds Maintenance Worker Crew Chief
Latricia Hale, Older Adult Center Director
Osvaldo Lugo, Heavy Equipment Operator
Jim Mako, Operations Manager District 5
Daniel Smith, Grounds Maintenance Worker Crew Chief
Gerald Willis, Grounds Maintenance Worker Crew Chief
Dan Windle, Grounds Maintenance Worker Crew Chief
David Wright, Heavy Equipment Operator

Separations:
Christopher Crooch, Locksmith
Pedro Fernandez, Grounds and Facilities Maintenance Worker
Clarence Maxie, Recreation Facilities Caretaker
Leslie Quill, Recreation Leader 3

 

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Remembering Mike McCrea

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By now many of you may have heard about the untimely passing of Mike McCrea, a passionate advocate of parks and recreation for more than 20 years and long-serving president of the Philadelphia Recreation Advisory Council (PRAC). Over the past three decades, Mike was a relentless supporter of all things “parks and rec.” From working one-on-one with local advisory councils, to leading citywide rallies for the Rebuild initiative, Mike’s life’s work was ensuring that everyone knew the value of our department and its importance to the communities we serve. Mike’s passing is an immense loss not just for PPR, but for the entire city. We will miss him dearly – especially his kind smile, his bear hugs, his “signature” suspenders, and most importantly, his huge heart. 


Visit the Philadelphia Parks Alliance website to learn more about Mike and how you can help honor his legacy.

 

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Fall PPR Staff Events

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This past month, more than 200 Philadelphia Parks & Recreation staff members, family, and friends celebrated fall together. On October 21, PPR staff and guests attended Applefest for free, enjoying cider pressing, hayrides, seasonal games, music, and more at Fox Chase Farm. In addition, fifty employees and their friends received free tickets to The GLOW: A Jack O’Lantern Experience in its first-ever year in Philly. Thanks for joining us for these autumn activities -- and keep the celebration going at the PPR Employee Recognition & Holiday Luncheon on December 18!

 

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City of Philadelphia Combined Campaign & 50/50 Drawings

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It’s the season of giving and gratitude: what better time to contribute to the City of Philadelphia Employees’ Combined Campaign? Since its launch in 1983, the Combined Campaign has raised more than $38 million for charities to use as they see fit. This year, we’re aiming for $1 million – and you can help! So far, PPR only has 2% departmental participation, and we’re almost at 20% of our goal of $25,500. If we can boost those participation numbers, we can surpass that goal and support great causes.


In addition to making your pledge for monthly contributions, help raise money (and win some, too) with weekly 50/50 drawings! Raffle tickets can be purchased at the 10th floor front desk for $1 each, 8 for $5, or 15 for $10. Drawings will be held each Friday through December 22: winners will receive half the amount collected, and the other half will be donated to the charity of their choices.


The deadline to contribute is December 22, so sign up for the Combined Campaign now to help give back this holiday season – and beyond.

 

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18th Annual National Arts Program Art Contest & Exhibit for City Employees

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Registration is now open for the 18th Annual Exhibit of the National Arts Program! City of Philadelphia employees, retirees, and their family members are invited to submit up to two pieces of original work (completed within the last three years) by Friday, January 19, 2018. Qualifying participants’ work will be included in an exhibit at City Hall – and eligible for cash prizes.


Learn more about the 18th Annual National Arts Program Art Contest & Exhibit and register to participate.

 

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Read by 4th: Tot Rec Holiday Books

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Kids in Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s After School and Tot Rec programs are getting a literacy boost with a little help from Read by 4th, an initiative of the Free Library of Philadelphia. The program is designed to increase the percentage of students reading at grade-level when they enter the fourth grade. This summer, we distributed free take-home library books to campers to help ward off the “summer slide”; this winter, we continued those efforts, sharing a special holiday package with Tot Rec classes! Each class received five to seven holiday books, plus a CD with seasonal audio books read by Recreation Leader John McBride and recorded with 102.9 WMGK. These books will help establish reading habits at an early age, fostering a life-long love of reading.

 

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Customer Service Corner

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Theme for November: Self care creates a positive work environment for you!


“Whether you are big or small, you cannot give good customer service if your employees don’t feel good about coming to work.” – Martin Oliver


At times, engaging challenging citizens can be draining to our health and energy -- practice techniques to help you bounce back. Breathe: stay calm, maintain poise. Breaks: hydration, nourishment, down time. Leave it at work: don’t bring it home with you!

 

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The Dirt

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This month’s Dirt? We’ve got not one, not two, but three new PPR babies to welcome to the world! From left to right above, meet…

  • Felix Pasquale, born on October 20 to Farm Philly Program Manager Elisa Ruse-Esposito and husband Nic, weighing 7lbs 14oz;
  • Josiah Terrance, born on November 2 to Aquatics Assistant Crystal Mann, weighing 7lbs 8oz;
  • Hudson James Viren, born on November 18 to Performance Manager Andy Viren and wife Lindsay. (Andy adds: Mom and Dad Viren can’t wait to take Hudson for his first walk in Wissahickon Valley Park!)

Congratulations to the moms and dads of the new arrivals. We look forward to seeing them at a PPR park, playground, or event soon.


Got tips for The Dirt, our monthly newsletter spot for Parks & Recreation employees to share their stories? Send them to parksandrecreation@phila.gov.

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Social Media Update

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This month was a fun one on our social media platforms! We had our most popular tweet ever, in addition to sharing engaging content like the Fall Decorations Contest and the Philadelphia Marathon. Our seasonal transition on social media has brought plenty of fall colors and fun activities to our ever-growing audience.


Download our overview of the top social media posts in the last month.

 


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Philadelphia Parks & Playgrounds: Neighborhood News

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With Philadelphia Parks & Recreation programs, events, and activities going on in every corner of the city, it can be hard to keep up with all of the fun! Check out our “Neighborhood News” round-up for a sampling of stories from sites near you.


South Philly

Northeast Philly

  • Photo above: On October 15, Philly Open Soccer’s World Philadelphia Soccer Festival at Tarken Recreation Center hosted dozens of families for warm-ups, clinics, and games, followed by a picnic and distribution of jerseys and medals. The event was geared toward (but not limited to) the refugee and immigrant community in Northeast Philadelphia.

North Philly

  • Photo above (left): On October 30, Mural Arts Philadelphia dedicated Blossoming Diversity, a new mural at Feltonville Recreation Center by artist Calo Rosa.
  • Photo above (right): Kids and staff at Mander Playground celebrated Halloween in style with a costume party!

Center City

 


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