Before & After Photos Available for Download

PHILADELPHIA – Today, Rebuild Philadelphia, Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (7th District), Parks & Recreation, Community Ventures, and local residents broke ground on Piccoli Playground located in Juniata Park. The improvements to the Piccoli Playground were made possible by the city’s Rebuild program and Community Ventures, who jointly secured a more than $1.9 million investment for the project.

Piccoli Park has been a community hub for decades, where community members connect while learning how to swim, play basketball, softball, and more. The updates to come at Piccoli will reflect the vision of the Juniata Park/Feltonville community in North Philadelphia.

“Big change doesn’t happen overnight—it happens one investment, one playground, one neighborhood at a time,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “The project at Piccoli Playground is a reflection of our commitment to delivering real results in communities like Juniata Park so that residents see their tax dollars at work in their communities.”

“Piccoli playground has served as a vital resource to the Juniata Park community. Generations of residents have made lifelong memories and grown up at this playground.” said Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (7th District). “With these upgrades, our city is renewing its promise to Juniata, ensuring this next generation can enjoy this space that has meant so much to this community.”

This project received additional funding from the Department of Economic and Community Development (DCED) Local Share Account (LSA) program, totaling $750,000 and $220,000 from the Greenway, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP) awarded to Community Ventures that will support ADA upgrades and the sport courts improvements.

“For generations, Piccoli Playground has served as an essential recreational space for the Juniata Park community,” said Aparna Palantino, Director, Capital Program Office. “The improvements we’re making reflect both the community’s input and the City’s commitment to creating clean, safe, and accessible spaces for all residents. This renovation will ensure Piccoli remains a vibrant community asset for decades to come.”

Totaling $1.9 million, the renovations at Piccoli Playground include:

  • New seating area north of the existing pool, which features picnic table seating, landscaping, new pedestrian-scale lighting, and an ADA-accessible path to the pool deck
  • New painted games area
  • Updated outdoor sport courts that will be resurfaced and color-coated, including:
    • A new volleyball court
    • A new multi-sport court (soccer and volleyball)
    • Two  full-sized basketball courts
    • Two half-court basketball courts
  • All-new “all wheels” track for riding bikes, scooters, and wheelchairs

“Community Ventures is proud to once again partner with the City of Philadelphia on this vital project for Juniata Park,” said Linda To, Development Project Manager for Community Ventures. “Our mission is to improve communities through neighborhood partnerships, and the revitalization of Piccoli Playground has been a great example of that partnership. We’re grateful for the support and collaboration from this community and look forward to seeing this renovation come to fruition.”

 

Rebuild is the City’s historic investment of over $500 million in neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries across Philadelphia. Rebuild promises to acknowledge history, engage the community, and invest intentionally to uplift pivotal community spaces, empower neighborhoods, and promote economic opportunity through diversity and inclusion.

Community Ventures is a Philadelphia non-profit real estate development and property management organization founded in 1987 to work in partnership with neighborhoods to improve communities and increase the supply of affordable housing. Community Ventures was selected by Rebuild to manage the Piccoli Playground improvements including community engagement, design, and construction.

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