As the temperatures increase, so does the media coverage Parks & Rec receives. Our programs, projects, and sites have been well-covered as folks take advantage of the waning warmer weather. Here are some highlights from the end of summer.

June 17-20: Philadelphia went through an extreme heat wave, and the City issued a Heat Health Emergency. Parks & Rec pools and spraygrounds helped keep everyone cool.

• CBS Philly and KYW Newsradio shared information on the extended free swim schedule we implemented.
• Cooling off at public pools and spraygrounds was covered by the Philadelphia Inquirer and WHYY.

July 26: Jan Carabeo at CBS Philly wrote an article, sharing that Philadelphia Parks & Recreation has a little bit of everything for everyone as part of their Summerfest series.

July 31: Smith Playground gained attention at the unveiling of MVP, the city’s first statue of an African-American girl.

• WHYY covered how this piece of art inspires young women and girls when they see a statue that looks like them.
• Patch and CBS Philly also wrote of the importance of having representation in our public art.

August 2: One of Parks & Rec’s biggest events of the year, the Philadelphia International Unity Cup, returned for its 4th year. The opening and subsequent games have attracted a lot of attention!

• The Northeast Times shared information on the Opening Night Kick Off festivities, which took place in Northeast Philly.
• Visit Philly included the opening night in their weekend round-up not once, but twice!

As the tournament has continued, community pieces have displayed the friendship, unity, and other life skills that come from the Unity Cup.

• 6ABC helped get the word out about how the Unity Cup promotes community and inclusiveness through sportsmanship.
• Love and peace flowed in KYW’s story on Phong Huynh, a coach for Team Vietnam, who “says playing for the Cup has shown him the city in a way he’s never seen it.”
• Team Italy was featured in another KYW piece on “Philadelphia’s most popular soccer tournament.”
• A heartwarming story came from 6ABC Community Journalist Matteo, who wrote about Team Sierra Leone’s leader and his youth program.

August 11: Parks & Rec’s 50-year-old Playstreets program was highlighted as a resource that offers kids outdoor fun and free meals all summer.

August 16: WHYY spotlighted the heroes making Philly’s parks safer in a PlanPhilly article.

“That’s the beautification to me,” said Desamour. “Having a beautiful playground, I’m excited about it. That’s something that’s really going to bring life to everything, but the beautiful part is including people in everything.”

August 16: Camp Philly is becoming a Parks & Rec staple as it heads into its third year. Hadas Kuznits from KYW explained how we are providing city kids with a unique camping experience up in the Poconos.

August 17: Media was on high alert when they found out Philadelphia-born rapper Meek Mill was set to host a block party in East Fairmount Park.

• The Inquirer covered how the rapper partnered with PUMA and Parks & Rec to refurbish a basketball court in his old Philly neighborhood.
• 6ABC and CBS3 also noted how Meek returned to the Legacy Courts to give back to his community.