JANUARY, 2016

Dear Friends:

As the year winds down, so does my time as Commissioner of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. I want to thank everyone who attended Tuesday’s all-staff meeting and summarize our discussion for anyone who was unable to join us.

Over the course of six years, we have created a new department, identified our vision, mission and values, and capitalized on our strengths as a merged unit to increase our services and programs for citizens. These are tremendous accomplishments that required collaboration and hard work from staff throughout the department.

Among the highlights we celebrated are new programming, facilities, divisions, initiatives and events including:

• Outdoor Experiences programming that connects children from our recreation centers with new activities and environments
• A Standards and Inspections team to ensure our sites are Safe, Clean and Ready to Use
• Farm Philly, our urban agriculture program focused on community gardens, youth urban agriculture and garden preservation
• The creation of 11 Clusters of recreation centers, playgrounds and parks to provide more and better programming opportunities for youth and families
• Progress on the Green2015 goals of creating new greened public space, including the addition of about 300 acres of new parkland, and greening schoolyards and recreation centers (e.g., Hank Gathers Recreation Center/William Dick Elementary School, William Cramp Elementary School and Jose Manuel Collazo Playground)
• The REACH system, a new model for After School programming that provides children with activities related to environmental awareness, outdoor activities, sports and athletics,  arts programming, and fitness & healthy habits
• Great strides toward Mayor Nutter’s Greenworks Philadelphia plan through the creation of the TreePhilly yard tree giveaway program and TreeKeepers maintenance crew; major energy reductions at our facilities; the Neighborhood Parks Intiative, which resulted in improvements to Vernon Park and upcoming upgrades to five other sites; an expanded trail network; and urban agriculture programs
• In partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service, the implementation of PowerCorps PHL, a 9-month program that provides close to 50 individuals between the ages of 18 and 26 with hands-on work experience in the field of environmental stewardship
• The Oval, a "Park on the Parkway" with community programming, events and activities 
• Crucial capital projects like the Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center, Hawthorne Park, Sturgis Playground, the Schuylkill River Boardwalk, the conversion of ice rinks to year-round facilities, Lardner’s Point Park, Pleasant Playground, Hunting Park, the Phillies MLB Urban Youth Academy at Marian Anderson Recreation Center and FDR Park, new trails like the Baxter Trail, Tacony Creek Trail and Grays Ferry Crescent, and an entirely new form of recreation for the city, the Philly Pumptrack
• A food truck program to provide fresh dishes to park visitors, as well as new concessions like Wheel Fun Rentals, Cosmic Café, Burholme Golf and Family Entertainment Center, and the Christmas Village in LOVE Park
• KEYSPOT computer labs at 25 recreation centers to bring Internet access, training, and technology to all Philadelphia communities

Plus, the procedures and services we’ve improved, among them:  

• Increased budgets for programming and maintenance, as a result of departmental performance, plus $50 million in philanthropic and corporate support
• An expanded, strategic approach to youth workforce development as PPR takes the lead as head City department on this issue
• Citizen engagement through our networks of Friends groups and Advisory Councils, as well as neighborhood pools fundraising efforts
• Improved safety at our recreation centers and playgrounds, thanks to the installation of security cameras
• The preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of sites like the East Park Canoe House, the Italian Fountain, Strawberry Mansion and Belmont Stables
• Strengthened partnerships with municipal departments like Philadelphia Water and Mural Arts, as well as nonprofit organizations like the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Trust for Public Land
• Improved communications and promotion of department offerings through newsletters, social media, websites, press events and an internal work team
• Increased training for staff on topics ranging from supervision, to safety, to community organizing, and sustainable land care
• The kickoff of large capital projects like the redesign of LOVE Park and capital improvements like the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Manayunk Canal, the Schuylkill River Wall and Van Colln ballfield
• Our approach to urban forestry and ecosystem management through the innovative, forward-thinking Forest Management Framework and its implementation through projects like Emerald Ash Borer research and prevention

And, as past issues of this newsletter prove, these are but a sampling of strides we’ve made with Mayor Nutter’s support and leadership.

Even though my professional focus will be shifting in the new year, the people and mission of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will remain close to my heart, and I am excited to see how Kathryn Ott Lovell will continue to strengthen the department under her leadership.

Thank you for making my time as your deputy mayor and commissioner some of the most rewarding, challenging and interesting years of my career.

In Memory of Terri and Steve

On November 21, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation lost Assistant Recreation Leader Terri Degnan, a friend and dear colleague to many. Read tributes to Terri from Jillian Deitz, Jennifer Powell and Lisa Lenke.

Steven Smith, Recreation Leader 3, passed away on December 1, 2015. Steve worked with many different programs for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Reading a remembrance of Steve Smith prepared by Kenneth Crawford, Daryl Nelson and Erica Young

16th National Arts Program® Exhibit

Now-February 19, 2016

The City of Philadelphia’s visual art exhibition program Art In City Hall, in collaboration with the National Arts Program Foundation, presents the 16th National Arts Program Exhibition at Philadelphia, featuring hundreds of works of art by City of Philadelphia employees and their families. The exhibition is open to the general public now through February 19 and is located on the second and fourth floors of City Hall, NE corner. 

Participating PPR staff and family members this year include:

• Eric Baker, Lifeguard
• Louis Baker, Seasonal Maintenance Attendant
• Christopher Baker, immediate family member of Louis Baker, Seasonal Maintenance Attendant
• Carmen Butler, Recreation Leader
• Leroy Butler, immediate family member of Carmen Butler, Recreation Leader
• Emily Coleman, Recreation Specialty Instructor
• Shara Gordon, Recreation Leader 2
• Christopher Windle, Recreation Leader 1

Learn more about the National Arts Program in Philadelphia

Reminder: LOVE Park Christmas Village

Now through December 27, visit LOVE Park for an authentic and exciting selection of European food, German Christmas ornaments and other great gifts for family and friends at the Christmas Village.

Christmas Village has been nominated for the 10 Best Holiday Market list poll by USA TODAY. Voting is open through Monday, December 21 at 11:59am EST. Show your Philly pride and vote for Christmas Village!

PPR Gears Up for the 2016 Mummers Parade

Once again, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation staff members are preparing for the Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day. The parade, which was established in 1901, features over 10,000 performers, crossing several generations. This year’s parade will include six divisions of performers, including one new addition called The Philadelphia Division. The new category was established to bring cultural diversity to the parade and will include performances from various ethnic groups that highlight their unique characteristics through music and dance. The acts participating in this division this year are: A Mexican group called Carnavale de Puebla en Philadelphia, a drag group called The Miss Fancy Brigade, Second to None Drill Team, and Los Bomberos, a Puerto Rican drum and dance group. This new division will kick off the festivities and will not be judged. As per usual, the parade will also include The Fancies, The Comics, The Comic Wenches and of course the ever popular String Bands.

Continue reading about the 2016 Mummers Parade

Reminder: Christmas at the Fairmount Park Historic Houses

There are only a few more opportunities to see the Charms of Fairmount Park dressed up in holiday finery! Visit www.parkcharms.com to learn more about Christmas open houses and tours.

Tell Us How We’re Doing!

Please take the 2015 reader survey to let us know what you think of this newsletter! [for the internal version, please link that text to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GBC5GZN;

Pennypack Environmental Center Tiny Tikes Fitness Hike

Are you the parent of a young child and looking to get some exercise while enjoying the beauty of nature? Come out to the Pennypack Environmental Center on Friday, January 8 from 9:30-11 am for the Tiny Tikes Fitness Hike. This free event, facilitated by Environmental Education Planner Stephanie Hoffer Robinson, is for parents with children ages 2 and under. Children must be small enough to be carried or fit into a baby carrier, as the trails used for the hike do not accommodate strollers.

Continue reading about programming for caregivers of young children at Pennypack Environmental Center

East Passyunk Community Recreation Center

Earlier this month, City Council approved the naming of the facility at 1025 Mifflin Street as East Passyunk Community Recreation Center. Please stay tuned for additional updates on the center!

PPR “How Do You Holiday?” Contest

Now through January 8, 2016

Tell us about your holiday tradition or show us how you decorate your recreation center, office, park or playground for the holidays, and you could win 4 tickets to a sports event or concert (based on availability). Download the How Do You Holiday flyer to learn more.

Job Opportunity: Street Tree Inventory Specialists

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is seeking two employees for the duration of nine months to assist in the inventory and assessment of street trees. These individuals are needed to record the species, size, condition and location of street trees located in the City of Philadelphia. This work will be office-based, using highly accurate street level imagery accessed through a Geographic Information System (GIS). The Street Tree Inventory Specialists will perform all work following established Philadelphia Parks & Recreation protocols to ensure quality, expertise and consistency of the data collection.

Download the full Street Tree Inventory Specialists job description

Jardel Tumbling: Bridging Together Sports and Life Lessons

Jardel Recreation Center’s Gymnastics Program offers low cost, co-ed classes for kids ages 3-18, ranging from beginners to competition teams. Team placements are made based on skill level and age. For the past four years, the program has been under the direction of Danielle Heim, who has been a coach with Jardel Tumbling for ten years. However, Danielle could not run tumbling alone. The staff also includes Co-director Nicole Darrah and Head Coach Danielle Stehel, plus additional coaches and volunteers. The majority of the program’s staff are former Jardel gymnasts who wanted to fulfill their desire and love for the sport. Danielle and her staff continue to work in this program because they want to give their all to make it better and stronger each year and create programming that rivals more specialized gyms. They enjoy seeing joy and progression from the kids and having them continue for many years.

Continue reading about Jardel Rec’s tumbling program

Outdoor Experiences Workforce Development Team

The Outdoor Experiences Workforce Development team has been hard at work now for the past two months, working on various special events such as installing the Scarecrow Festival at Sister Cities Park, assisting with land-based programs with the Canoemobile on the Delaware and Schulykill Rivers, Applefest at Fox Chase Farm, school group and special event programs at the Wissahickon and Pennypack Environmental Education Centers, the Into the Parks program as well as assisting with all of the skateboard clinics.

Continue reading about the Outdoor Experiences workforce development team

Video: Bridesburg After School Program Slideshow Report

Find out what happened at Bridesburg Recreation Center’s After School program this November.

Staff Profile: Gerry White

Gerry White is currently the Acting Operations Manager for Districts 1 and 2. Gerry has been with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation for 34 years. At a young age, he started working at one of the City golf courses, with the goal of becoming a supervisor. Through that position, he developed an interest in horticulture, landscaping and working outdoors, which led him into a career in operations.

Continue reading about Gerry White

Come Visit the Snowman Social at Sister Cities Park!

In a matter of just a few hours, the 16 available spots for the Snowman Social at Sister Cities Park were claimed!

From creative and traditional snowmen to lovable characters we’ll all recognize, participants in programs across Philadelphia Parks & Recreation decorated fantastic creations that will be on display at Sister Cities Park, located at 18th and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, throughout December and part of January.

Thank you to all who expressed an interest in participating… we did ask if the park could accommodate more snowmen but due to irrigation concerns, we had to stay limited to 16.

Download a list of participating PPR recreation centers and playground

Photo: City Hall Christmas Tree Lighting

It’s October 20, 2015 and Operations District Manager Lori Hayes is in Telford, PA, up in Bucks County, searching among the evergreens. She’s on a mission to find the perfect Christmas tree that will stand in the middle of the Philadelphia City Hall courtyard. For years, Arborist Mike Helsen had the honor, but he retired so Hayes took the tedious job of getting the best tree for the City. “There was some grumbling that last year’s tree wasn’t big enough,” said Hayes. “So I knew I had to find a tree that was big enough.”

Continue reading about Lori’s search for the perfect City Hall courtyard Christmas tree

Lori Hayes Finds the Perfect Tree

On December 3, 9 children from the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Young Performers Theater Camp Holiday Ensemble sang at the City Hall Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

LOVE Park Christmas Tree Lighting

The 2015 Christmas Village in LOVE Park marked the beginning of the holiday season in Center City Philadelphia with the lighting of the official LOVE Park Christmas Tree. CBS 3's meteorologist Kate Bilo served as master of ceremonies for the evening events, which included the traditional lantern parade and performances by the Philly Pops. First Deputy Commissioner Mark Focht represented PPR, offering remarks and throwing the switch to light the tree. This will be the last Christmas tree lighting event for some time in LOVE Park as we make way for the extreme makeover set to begin in a few months. The new LOVE Park design will be a perfect setting for future Christmas Villages and tree lightings, but they must wait till 2017!

LOVE Park Tree Lighting Rhyme

All the little kids’ faces were filled with cheer because they knew St. Nick would be here. They strolled into the park with lanterns in hand, in great anticipation of seeing the band. The Philly Pops performed a musical number while everyone buzzed about it being the warmest December ever! There was so much Christmas in the Village this year with warm nuts, cocoa, Santa and reindeer. Everyone's smiling faces were aglow when we had a celebrity appearance from CBS Meteorologist Kate Bilo. She did the countdown while Mark Focht from PPR pulled the switch. It was all so perfect-- LOVE Park got its wish. It was a great night we will never forget; the last tree lighting before renovations was the best one yet!

Photo: Mummers Parade Poster Contest

Diamond, age 11, and Chelsey, age 8, get excited for winter at District 8’s James Finnegan Playground in Southwest Philadelphia by diligently working on their Mummers Parade posters for the PPR Visual Arts contest!

Bartram's Mile Trail Groundbreaking

On November 23, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation along with Mayor Michael A. Nutter, City officials, and members of the community, including school students from Woodland Academy and Richard Allen School, gathered to break ground on the Bartram’s Mile Trail. The future 1.1 mile trail will expand the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) from Grays Ferry Avenue to 56th Street and unlock an important connection point in the Circuit Trails, Greater Philadelphia’s multi-use trail network. The proposed trail will complete an important gap in the SRT, providing users with access to southwest Philadelphia and the historic Bartram’s Garden. The trail segment is expected to be completed by fall 2016.

Continue reading about the Bartram’s Mile groundbreaking

Photo: Nutcrackers from John Anderson Cultural Center

Members of the John Anderson Cultural Center pose with their entries into the PPR Visual Arts Office’s Annual Nutcracker Dolls Contest. Winning entries are on display at the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Parkway Central Children’s Department, the Academy of Music, and the 10th floor of 1515 Arch Street.

A PPR Holiday Tradition at Mann Older Adult Center

Martha Stewart better watch her back. The hostess with the mostest might have some competition with PPR’s own Barbara McCabe, Director of Strategic Engagement. Stewart might have a huge arts and crafts conglomerate, but McCabe has the senior citizens at the Fredric Mann Older Adult Center at 5th Street and Allegheny Avenue. For the past several years, McCabe has led a holiday craft-making workshop at Mann with about two dozen seniors. Some years they make fresh Christmas wreaths, but a favorite is table centerpieces.

Continue reading about holiday crafts at Mann Older Adult Center

Reminder: City of Philadelphia Combined Campaign

Find causes and agencies that you are passionate about and support them with a donation through the Combined Campaign.

Vogt Cluster Makes Holiday Cards for Nursing Home Residents

On December 3, the Vogt Cluster (Vogt, Dorsey, and Roosevelt) made holiday cards for nursing home residents of the Philadelphia Protestant Home. Approximately forty-five students participated in the activity. They also made Christmas stars for the residents. In addition, Kristen Wisniewski (supervisor at Dorsey) made cookies with some of the older children for delivery with the cards and stars.

Continue reading about the Vogt Cluster’s holiday card project

Delaware Avenue Extension Dedication

On December 8, City leaders, along with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Delaware River City Corp., the Philadelphia Streets Department and the Circuit, gathered with members of the Bridesburg community to celebrate the dedication of Phase 1 of the Delaware Avenue Extension, a new roadway and trail project built along the Delaware Riverfront Greenway in Northeast Philadelphia. The extension, connecting Port Richmond to Bridesburg, includes a 0.6-mile section of new roadway, a bridge over the Frankford Creek and a multi-use trail segment extending from Lewis Street to Orthodox Street. In addition to connecting the communities, the project provides a vital, direct route to and from I-95 for the industries situated north of Lewis Street, improving access for these waterfront businesses and relieving the Bridesburg community of large truck traffic on their neighborhood streets.

Continue reading about the Delaware Avenue Extension

Sixers Neighborhood Basketball League: A Thriving Partnership

The Sixers Neighborhood Basketball League (SNBL) is a partnership between PPR and the Philadelphia 76ers. The league, which is currently in its 22nd year, has approximately 2,000 participants ages 8 to 16 playing on close to 200 teams in 40 recreation centers throughout the city. This unique program provides kids with an opportunity to participate in a low to no-cost structured basketball program where everyone gets an equal chance to play a game they love. The program’s Tip Off event also gives participants the chance to be lead through drills by current 76ers players. The season begins in December and culminates in March with five city-wide tournaments, separated by age groups, called March Hoops Mania.

Continue reading about the SNBL program

Sixers Win at Clemente

On October 21, the Philadelphia 76ers stopped and took over the Clemente Playground basketball court, which was famously used by Will Smith himself (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air). They surprised local youth by interrupting a pickup basketball game and took it to the next level. The staff from the Sixers, Franklin the mascot, cheerleaders and the Phlight Squad all joined in on the fun.

Continue reading about the Sixers’ visit to Clemente

Photo: Turkey Trot 2015

Over 500 participants enjoyed the 25th Annual Fairmount Park Turkey Trot 5-mile Run on a beautiful "spring-like" Thanksgiving morning.

Checking in with Feltonville Recreation Center

Adult Cooking Class

This fall, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation partnered with the Free Library, Penn State Extension, and Farm Philly to introduce a pilot cooking class at Feltonville Recreation Center. The targeted participants were adults with low-income who are primary caregivers to a child under 19 years old. Through hands-on cooking demonstrations and food tastings, participants in Feltonville’s program learned how to prepare nutritious meals while handling the food in a safe and proper manner. Additionally, the class gained useful knowledge about planning their grocery budgets and using their SNAP benefits wisely.

Continue reading about the adult cooking class at Feltonville Rec Center

Handball Team Competes in Brooklyn

There are currently eight handball courts in PPR facilities throughout the city, but it is an especially prevalent sport at Feltonville Recreation Center. The center’s handball court has been active for over 6 years, and the facility has a very active program led by the president of the Handball Association of Philadelphia, Wally Amaro. The program, which includes teenagers and adults, is co-ed. Feltonville typically plays in 3-4 tournaments per year in addition to an annual city-wide event. These tournaments, which are held at Feltonville as well as other recreation centers, attract a lot of people.

Continue reading about Feltonville’s handball team

Upper Roxborough Reservoir Tree Planting

On November 23, a PowerCorps PHL crew joined PPR Stewardship team's AeLin Compton and Emma Schad, and Friends of the Upper Roxborough Reservoir Preserve’s Tom Landsmann and Rich Giordano in leading 42 high school volunteers from Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. Together, the group planted 120 new trees at the Upper Roxborough Reservoir Preserve! The tree plantings varied from street trees to hillside slope trees, planted to expand the forest edge and start a new generation of healthy, native canopy. PowerCorps members gained professional development experience leading small groups of volunteers in digging, planting, and marking trees. This youth-powered event exposed some of the PowerCorps participants and volunteers to their first experiences in service to the environment. The project, coordinated by PPR Stewardship's Jason Mifflin and the Friends of Upper Roxborough Reservoir Preserve, was a continuation of their LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day, during which neighborhood volunteers planted 10 trees and installed a new bench and viewing area in the park.

In other PowerCorps news, two crews recently took a tour of the Indego bike share shop, took an urban biking class, and got free/discounted memberships for a period of time to assist them in getting to work in an affordable and sustainable way while doing sustainable work. Read more about PowerCorps PHL’s Indego visit.

Older Adult Centers Provide a Fun, Safe Place for Seniors

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation operates six older adult centers (OAC) throughout the city. These facilities, which receive partial funding from Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, offer a plethora of services at a low cost to anyone age 55 or older. To a certain extent, the centers provide similar programming, like arts & crafts, fitness classes, English as a Second Language courses and social services, but each OAC also offers unique activities and programs tailored to its specific population.

Continue reading about PPR’s older adult centers

Stewardship Holiday Party

The PPR Stewardship Unit, along with the Fairmount Park Conservancy, once again hosted its annual Party for the Parks on December 3 at Galdo's in South Philadelphia. Over 300 people attended, with almost 100 park groups throughout the City of Philadelphia represented. Special guests included Deputy Mayor Mike D. as well as the incoming Parks & Rec Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell and City Councilman Mark Squilla. Look: even two Ed Fagans came too. (Did both of them pay?) This event keeps getting bigger and better as Stewardship branches out to more parks in the city while collaborating and communicating with our park communities.

Performo Features and Trainings

Performo is the new work order management system that helps to facilitate communication between building maintenance and facility managers/supervisors in the department. It also helps to track assets and resources and can be a powerful reporting tool.

Continue reading about Performo’s features, as well as recent staff trainings on the system

Top Social Media Posts

Fall has been such a pleasant season throughout Philadelphia, and has led to not only an active season in our parks and recreation sites, but also on our social media accounts. From getting into the season by decorating our recreation centers or becoming more informed about the resources that we provide Philadelphia residents, our accounts were busy with activity throughout the fall season!

Download our Top Social Media Posts report to see what was popular on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram this fall.

Best of Luck, Krystle!

Krystle Parram served as a Communications Coordinator with PPR from December 2012 until December 2015. She worked with External Communications Manager Alain Joinville to plan press events, administer social media and manage media relations. Last month, she accepted a job opportunity in New York City. We thank her for her service to the department and wish her well!

Parks & Rec Youth Workers of the Past in the Spotlight

On December 16 in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, two brothers who were former PYNs at Gustine Rec Center will be in the spotlight during the college football bowl game between Arizona and New Mexico. DeLane Hart-Johnson (Soph, NM) will line up at wide receiver, while his brother Will Parks (Sr, AZ) will be the defensive back covering him. This will be Will's last college game, and he stands an excellent chance at being drafted by the NFL. This is just another of the great examples of youth who've worked summers within Parks & Recreation going on to accomplish great things!

What’s New at Simpson Recreation Center

Kids at Simpson Rec Center have been busy this fall with activities including:

• Into the Parks Program
• Girl Scouts
• Nutcracker Contest

View pictures and learn more about Simpson’s programs

Roosevelt Playground Updates

Download an update on the following developments at Roosevelt Playground

• Selection as 2016 Astronomy Nite Partner
• December baseball
• A visit from the Paws Farm mini zoo
• An After School trip to the Shady Brook Farm Light Show

PPR Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Blind Bingo

On November 20, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation celebrated the 40th anniversary of Bingo for the Blind. The event, coordinated by staff from PPR’s District 3 (covering Olney, parts of Germantown, Juniata Park, Lower Northeast, Feltonville and Hunting Park), is a citywide bingo game for the blind population. Started in 1975 by District 3 staff members, the event’s original aim was to provide inclusion for people with disabilities that might not have a chance to get out in the community very often. In its early years, the event, now held twice a year in November and May, was hosted at Olney Recreation Center. Bingo for the Blind moved to Carousel House in the early 1990s, where it has been held ever since. Free to attend, the event typically attracts between 75-100 people. 

Continue reading about Bingo for the Blind

Carousel House Holiday Luncheon

The Carousel House hosted its Annual Holiday Luncheon on November 21. Over 150 participants enjoyed a traditional home-cooked Thanksgiving meal prepared by dedicated Carousel House volunteers. Popular dance and holiday music was provided by a three-piece band, and everyone could also participate in an arts and crafts activity. A great time was had by everyone, and it was a nice way to start the holiday season.

New Mural at Max Myers

On November 4, Max Myers Playground held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new mural. Spearheaded by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and funded by the Mural Arts Program and DHS, the mural is a beautiful and stellar work of art that spans around the front and side of the Max Myers Playground building. Professional mosaic artist Emilie Ledieu created the mural, citing as inspiration all of the community, buildings, and outdoor environment that surrounds the proud playground. This piece of extraordinary art will stand as a testament to the great site that is Max Myers Playground.

Canoemobile Report

Download a list of participating sites and view pictures from the recent Canoemobile visit.

Benny McLaughlin Inducted into Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame

On the evening of November 12, Benny McLaughlin (deceased), legendary soccer player and father of PPR employees Brian and Andy McLaughlin, was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. The event took place at Sheraton Society Hill Hotel and was attended by some of Philadelphia's great sports legends.

Learn more about the Phila. Hall of Fame