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January 2018

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Dear Staff:


As we near the end of year and look ahead to 2018, I’m reminded to take stock of my time here at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and all that we have accomplished together in two short years. The time really does fly by!


This year alone saw so many accomplishments for the department. In addition to successfully organizing the 2nd Annual Philadelphia International Unity Cup in the fall, we also launched a second special initiative at the request of Mayor Kenney, Camp Philly. Through this program, and thanks to generous sponsors, campers from PPR summer day camps were able to spend time at a sleep-away camp in the Poconos – an experience that they wouldn’t have otherwise had this summer.


PPR also played a major role in helping the City of Philadelphia shine in the national spotlight this year. When the NFL Draft came to town in the spring, our team made the Draft setup and the entire Ben Franklin Parkway look its best. When Google wanted to launch its Street View tool for parks and trails, we took on the challenge to be the first city to do it and used the Trekker tool to map every single trail in Philadelphia. And even on the local stage, our facilities and programs rake in the accolades: the Dell Music Center won Philadelphia Magazine’s ‘Best of Philly 2017’ for Best Music Venue Revival, thanks to the hard work of the men and women of this amazing department.


So, with all of this to be proud of, I eagerly anticipate what’s to come in the new year. Mayor Kenney’s Rebuild initiative to invest in parks, recreation centers, and libraries is going to kick into high gear; our new strategic plan will begin implementation; and we will celebrate huge projects that have been years in the making like Centennial Commons in West Park, the launch of a Master Plan for FDR Park in South Philly, and of course, the return of LOVE Park in Center City for thousands of people to enjoy every day.


I am continually amazed at the sheer size and scope of all that PPR does on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis, and it fills me with pride to serve as commissioner, working right alongside you all. I wish everyone and their families a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year as we all enjoy some well-deserved time with loved ones.


Here’s to an energetic start to 2018 at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Cheers!


Kathryn Ott Lovell


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Winter Fun Guide

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When it comes to all the ways to have fun this winter, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) has you covered! From guided hikes and the best sledding hills to date ideas, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite winter activities, including:

  • Ice skating
  • Sledding
  • Cross country skiing
  • and more!

View our Guide to Winter Fun

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Become a Lifeguard This Summer!

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Winter only began last week, but we’re already planning for summer! We need hundreds of lifeguards to staff our 70+ pools, and we’re beginning the recruitment process now. The first step to becoming a lifeguard is to attend a free screening at one of our indoor pools. To find a screening location and learn more about the process to become a lifeguard, visit our Lifeguards webpage

 

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Mummers Parade Named “Best Holiday Parade” in the Country!

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After a month of voting, the Mummers Parade took top honors as “Best Holiday Parade” in USA Today’s 2017 10Best Readers’ Choice awards. See for yourself what the excitement is about on January 1.


Check out the 2018 Mummers Parade route

 

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MLK Day of Service

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Every year thousands of volunteers participate in Martin Luther King Day of Service projects, and every year dozens of PPR sites benefit from their hard work. This year, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will be observed on Monday, January 15. If you’re looking for an opportunity to participate in a service project at a park or recreation center, you can now use this specially created map to find a PPR facility where you can volunteer! 

 

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Job Opportunities

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  • Garden Educators (March-November 2018): Implement a youth gardening program at various Philadelphia recreation centers. Teach children ages 6-12 years old in PPR after-school programs and summer camps.
  • Public Relations Associate (February-October 2018): Assist with public relations strategies and press event management. Responsibilities will include writing: press releases, media advisories, and talking points; press event planning, staffing special events, compiling press clips, and more.
  • Obstacle Course Operator, Operations Manager, or Front Desk Clerk: Work at Treetop Quest, a new aerial adventure park opening in West Fairmount Park this spring.

 

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Creative Arts Opportunities

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Recently, our partners at the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy  (OACCE) announced two exciting opportunities for artists and performers:

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Mighty Writers Pilot Program at Rivera Rec

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Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is excited to announce a new partnership with Mighty Writers, a nonprofit that teaches Philadelphia kids, ages seven to 17, to think and write with clarity. Launching with a pilot program at Rivera Recreation Center in 2018, the “Mighty Zone” will offer sports-related and other interdisciplinary writing workshops to engage youth who attend the rec center. Stay tuned for program updates!

 

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TreePhilly Receives Growing Greener Grant from State of Pennsylvania

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On December 7, Governor Tom Wolf announced that 106 projects to clean up local waters statewide, benefiting hundreds of communities, were selected to receive funding through the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Growing Greener program. TreePhilly, PPR’s tree giveaway and education program, received $250,000 to continue its work increasing the city’s tree canopy.


Read the official Growing Greener press release

 

 

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2017 Philadelphia Marathon Zero Waste Report

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As an outcome of the City of Philadelphia’s new Zero Waste & Litter Action Plan, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation staff helped divert waste from the 2017 Philadelphia Marathon, including: 

  • 2.14 tons of compost sent to the Fairmount Park Recycling Center
  • 5.56 tons of materials recycled at the Republic transfer station
  • 0.71 tons of extra medals recycled for future events
  • 2.52 tons of unconsumed food and drink donated to Philabundance to feed the hungry
  • 3.5 tons of clothing donated to local organization Chosen 300 to benefit people in need
  • 0.979 tons of sneakers donated to Perpetual Pumps
  • 0.6 tons of wooden pallets saved to be donated and recycled
  • and just 1.81 tons of trash sent to the landfill

In all, PPR staff, volunteers, and partners achieved an 89.84% Waste Diversion Rate. This means we were able to take near 90 out of every 100 pounds of material from the event and re-use it, recycle it, donate it, direct it to feed or clothe someone in need, or otherwise divert it away from ending up in a landfill. 

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Rebuild Updates

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On November 30, Rebuild released the list of the first 61 parks, recreation centers, and libraries proposed to City Council for Rebuild investment. Rebuild also released data about Philadelphia neighborhoods, including an interactive map, and a detailed Project Statement outlining operations through June 2019.


Rebuilding Community Infrastructure (Rebuild) is a seven-year, $500 million investment in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. The money will be used to improve neighborhood parks, libraries, recreation centers, and playgrounds with the goals of promoting equity and encouraging economic growth across the city. These improvements are also expected to promote educational opportunities for children, support healthy lifestyles for all, improve public safety in our shared spaces, and create jobs for Philadelphians.

 

 

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Tacony Creek Trail Phase 2 Groundbreaking

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On December 7, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation joined the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Inc., the Circuit Trails, and community members to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Tacony Creek Trail Phase 2 in Tacony Creek Park.


The 0.3-mile segment represents a long-awaited, safe connection between the north and south sections of the 300-acre Tacony Creek Park, which has long been divided by the dangerous multi-lane Roosevelt Boulevard. The trail segment creates a vital link between Phase 1 of the lower trail, completed in 2013, and the upper portion of the trail, completed in the 1970s. When complete, the full Tacony Creek Trail will span 3.2 miles.

 

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Staff Profile: Acting District Manager Rob Jackson

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After working as a rec leader with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) for a little over a decade, Rob Jackson has seen firsthand just how important rec centers, playgrounds, and their staff are to the neighborhoods they serve: “I know what it means to a kid to have a gym from three to six each day…I’ve always made sure there was time allotted for the community, always treated people with respect. You owe it to the community to put your best foot forward. They’ll respond to it and appreciate what you do.” Rob currently puts his best foot forward as PPR’s acting District 8 Program Manager, overseeing all of the department’s recreation centers, playgrounds, and pools in West and Southwest Philadelphia (as Rob puts it, “from the zoo to the airport!”).


Continue reading about Rob’s role at PPR, and how his career has developed within the department.

 

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Philly Wildlife: Feral Cats

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By Tony Croasdale, Environmental Education Planner, Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center
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This time of year, many folks are posting instructions on how to provide shelter for stray cats. I understand why people think this is the right thing to do; however, this compassion is misplaced. House cats are not native to this continent. They were domesticated from the wildcat of Eurasia. Our native wildlife did not evolve with wildcats and therefore our birds, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians did not develop behaviors to evade them. Outside cats kill billions of birds and small mammals every year in the United States alone. Free-roaming cats exchange disease with wildlife that endanger the wildlife, the cats, and humans.


Continue reading Philly Wildlife: Feral Cats

 

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Snowman Social at Sister Cities Park

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For the 2017 Snowman Social at Sister Cities Park in Center City, 13 recreation centers from around the city decorated snowmen to send downtown to be on display for the month of December.


The submissions were very creative and ran the gamut from traditional to artistically modern, and from those with local athletic spirit to those with a distinctly international flair. 


Continue reading about the Snowman Social and see pictures

 

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Park Friends Network Holiday Party

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On December 7, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy hosted a holiday celebration for Park Friends group volunteers at Galdo’s in South Philadelphia. A beloved annual tradition, the evening offers an opportunity for volunteers to network, eat, dance, and more.


View pictures from this year’s celebration and connect with a Friends group so you can join us next year!

 

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Visual Arts Updates

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Children in our recreation centers have been busy creating entries for the annual holiday season contests held by the Visual Arts office. In November alone, they created Nutcracker dolls for our citywide contest, made festive holiday greeting cards, and decorated their facilities in winter seasonal themes.


Learn more about PPR’s visual arts offerings  

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Cultivating the P3 Native Garden Program in 2017

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The P3 Native Garden program, a Philadelphia Parks & Recreation program that provides plant material, training, and resources to sites all across the park and recreation system, has completed its third year. In 2017, the P3 Native Garden Program further defined its mission and program objectives. The primary objectives for 2017 included developing a horticulture baseline for program participants, increasing gardeners’ confidence in core maintenance areas, furthering interest in native plants, beautifying landscapes, broadening the propagation capacity at Greenland Nursery and at other garden sites, and creating promotional material for the program.


Learn more about P3’s 2017 successes and view pictures of the gardens

 

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Performing Arts Update

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This month saw a triple-header for Performing Arts! The week of December 11-15 started up the holiday rush. First, Venice Island hosted the REACH after-school winter performance, featuring performances by children from Capitolo, Hawthorne, East Passyunk, Clemente, Francisville, and Gifford, along with vocalists from the autumn voice lesson sessions. Later that same week at Venice Island, the annual Holiday Dance Festival featured dance classes from Athletic, Gathers, American Legion, Junod, Hawthorne, J. Anderson, Morris Estate, Simons, Francis Myers, and J. Finnegan executing to a full house! On Friday of that week, the Philadelphia Municipal Employees Choir, including Performing Arts Coordinator Bill Powell, performed at One Parkway Building (1515 Arch Street) and the Municipal Services Building. Consider adding your voice to these efforts this time next year!   

 

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2017 Communications All Stars

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Year-round, the Communications Unit at PPR relies on staff throughout the department—whether for story tips and photo submissions, or for help recruiting community members to attend a press event. We are tremendously grateful for everyone’s help and wanted to give shout-outs to some of our most prolific and helpful contributors in 2017.


View the list of 2017 PPR Communications All Stars

 

 

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PPR Employee Recognition & Holiday Luncheon

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Once again, this year’s Employee Recognition & Holiday Luncheon did not disappoint. The Horticulture Center in West Fairmount Park was decked out in red, gold, and green with beautiful poinsettia plants and a buffet lunch for hundreds, thanks to the efforts of this year’s planning committee. Commissioner Ott Lovell led the speaking program which included her reflections on the year, a moment of silence to honor employees who passed away in 2017, and the presentation of awards to retiring employees and employees who have reached the milestone of twenty-five years of service.


View a list of employee honorees and event pictures

 

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City of Philadelphia Combined Campaign

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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!


The deadline to contribute is January 12, 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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Top Social Media Report

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This month’s theme on social media was winter fun. We’ve been sharing our holiday events roundups, information on our ice skating rinks, and other things making us excited for the transition into winter and the holiday season. Our top performing posts on all platforms are of seasonal activities and the first snow of the season!


Download our December Top Social Media Report

 

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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.


Northeast Philly

  • Photo above: On a cold December night, the After School program at Roosevelt Playground took its annual trip to the Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show. Read about the field trip.
  • PPR’s District 2 held its annual Feast of Justice Food Drive and set a new record in generosity, with over 2,300 pounds of food collected, exceeding last year’s total by 900 plus pounds! Continue reading about the food drive.

North Philly

South Philly

  • Pictured above: Murphy Recreation Center Tot Soccer participants (ages 3-5) and their hard-earned medals and awards. Ellen Ryan (Recreation Leader 1) on far right, Ron Hood (Coach’s Assistant) on far left. The Tot Soccer program introduces the basics of soccer in a non-competitive, exciting, and engaging environment for young children.

 


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