With the mild weather Philadelphia has had this season, it almost feels as though winter will never begin. Even so, we’re now well into the New Year, and it’s time once again to look back at Parks & Rec’s media coverage from the past month.

 

December 10: WHYY’s Catalina Jaramillo spoke with Erica Smith-Fichman about Parks & Rec’s “The Future of the Urban Forest” strategic plan.

December 12: The festivities at Christmas Village in LOVE Park and Dilworth Park were the talk of the town this holiday season. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Mari A. Schaefer shared the goings-on in the Christmas Village’s 12th year.

December 14: Kids couldn’t wait to get out of school, but the break can be a struggle for families who depend on school lunches to keep everyone fed. KYW’s Pat Loeb shared the story online and on the air of how Parks & Rec helped provide a solution. The Philadelphia Sunday Sun also covered the story.

December 16: 6 ABC’s Wendy Daughenba visited LOVE Park to document Christmas Village’s growth this year and explore some of the offerings.

December 18: Through an executive order, Mayor Jim Kenney declared the City’s parks and recreation centers to be smoke-free and vape-free. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Sarah Gantz,  CBS Philly, Max Bennett of Patch News, and The Philadelphia Sunday Sun covered the story so we can all breathe a little easier.

December 21: Meek Mill and the Dreamchasers hosted a holiday toy drive at Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center in North Philadelphia that provided gifts to 3,500 grateful kids. Pop-culture websites Complex, The Source, and Hot New Hip-Hop covered the event. 

December 26: The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Helen Ubiñas shared the inspiring story of a group that meets at West Fairmount Park’s Carousel House Recreation Center. The group consists of survivors of gun violence who come together to help one another.

December 27: KYW’s Pat Loeb took a look back at the history of the Christmas Village and its growth over the years. Spoiler alert: this year was bigger than ever!

January 6: If you just can’t wait for summer, then you’ll love what Philly Voice’s Sinead Cummings has to tell you: Getaway at the Greenhouse is returning to the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, with indoor, summer-themed fun!

January 15: WHYY’s Catalina Jaramillo spoke to Ash Richards about the progress of the first-ever Philadelphia urban agriculture plan.

Use the Finder to learn more about the locations listed above.
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