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MAY, 2017

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Dear Staff:


Spring has sprung, and we’ve swung into high gear! In preparation for the season, Program staff attended their annual summer training day at Pelbano Recreation Center on April 7, and I’d like to thank the organizers and attendees for their dedication to this important annual professional development opportunity that expands our collective knowledge and keeps our skills sharp each year.


Likewise, in partnership with the Streets Department, we hosted 80 events as part of the Philly Spring Cleanup on April 8, with staff and volunteers teaming up to clean and spruce up our sites for warm weather. Thanks to everyone who participated.


Speaking of cleanups, our Operations team has launched its seasonal weekend coverage, and we are endlessly grateful for their hard work during these months of heavy park and rec center usage.


On April 13, we were exited to announce two big developments for the Philadelphia International Unity Cup—the new championship game venue of Lincoln Financial Field and a partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to launch the Unity Youth Soccer League for 8-12 year-olds.


From April 17-21, our digital communications team celebrated Farm Philly Week on social media. Check out #FarmPhillyWeek on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to find out what’s new with our urban agriculture programs this season.


This past Saturday, we celebrated Earth Day with the opening of Bartram’s Mile in Southwest Philadelphia, another step to connect Philadelphians and visitors to the Schuylkill River, as well as to beautiful Bartram’s Garden. Forty-seven years after its origination, Earth Day and its support for environmental protection remain as important as ever, and it was inspiring to see the many PPR sites that hosted related events.


As of today, the NFL Draft has officially kicked off on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, but our Skilled Trades division has been working incredibly hard in support of this high visibility event for months, and we appreciate (and are tremendously proud of) their efforts.


Also this week, there were two important national appreciation events that I’d like to recognize. April 24-28 is After School Professionals Week, so please thank our dedicated After School staff members for their contributions. And in celebration of yesterday’s Administrative Professionals Day, I want to send a special thank you to Gail O’Brien who provides me with invaluable help (and organization) on a daily basis.


Finally, in another example of staff going the extra mile for a high-profile event, we’re in the final phases of preparation for the Broad Street Run on May 7. This annual race is a prime example of an all-hands-on-deck departmental event that showcases the range and flexibility of our employees’ skills. Thank you to everyone involved for the creativity and commitment to excellence you bring to this Philadelphia tradition each year. I look forward to seeing you all on Broad Street in a few weeks!


Kathryn Ott Lovell


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LOVE Your Park Week Volunteer Registration

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Calling all Philadelphia park lovers: we’re looking for over 2,000 volunteers to help clean and green Philly’s parks during LOVE Your Park Week 2017 (May 13-21)! Over 100 Park Friends Groups across the city will host volunteer workdays during LYP Week – many on the Kick-Off Service Day on Saturday, May 13 – and we need your help to get our parks ready for the summer season.


Check out the complete list of participating parks, including details on timing, location, and projects, and register to volunteer. Be sure to also check out the dozens of special events happening in parks near you, including the Parks on Tap season opener!

 

 

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Meet Me at the Park Contest

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Your vote could give $20,000 to a Philadelphia Parks & Recreation project! Three of our sites have been nominated to receive funding through the Meet Me at the Park initiative, a collaboration between the National Recreation and Park Association and The Walt Disney Company. The voting period ends April 30, so now’s your chance to help choose which site will receive a $20,000 grant: the Wissahickon Environmental Center, McVeigh Recreation Center, or Philly Pumptrack.


Learn more about the three projects, and vote for your Meet Me at the Park pick.

 

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Broad Street Run Volunteer Opportunities

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Even if you’re not running, you can still join in on the fun! Hundreds of volunteers help make the Broad Street Run (BSR) a success each year. Volunteers are needed for May 5 and 6, as well as race day, Sunday, May 7, for roles as greeters, transportation assistants, water station staffers, and more.


Groups can email volunteers@broadstreetrun.com or register using this form; individual volunteers can register on the BSR web site.

 

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Arbor Day Events

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Celebrate Arbor Day with TreePhilly! On Saturday, April 28 at Wissinoming Park, arborists from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the local chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture will be climbing and pruning park trees. Volunteers from TreePhilly sponsor TD Bank will work with Friends of Wissinoming Park to mulch trees and tidy up the park, and local students will learn about tree care and identification.

 

Last Saturday, April 21, TreePhilly started the arboreal festivities (and celebrated Earth Day!) with a tree planting and art show at Cedar Park, featuring tree-themed art from students at St. Francis De Sales School, and Arbrew Day tree giveaways at bars throughout the city.

 

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NFL Draft

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The 2017 NFL Draft Experience is here! From Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29, visit the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for a football festival with interactive exhibits, immersive games, virtual reality experiences, free player autograph sessions, and more.


Check out the full list of NFL Draft events and road closures that might affect your travel.

 

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Job Opportunities

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  • Aquatics Division Administrative Assistant (seasonal, part-time): Support Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s Aquatics division, including scheduling, communications, and other office/ field duties for our 74 pools.
  • Lifeguards (seasonal, part-time): Become an American Red Cross-certified Lifeguard, and help keep your neighborhood pool safe this summer.
  • Property & Concessions Supervisor (seasonal, full-time): Support the day-to-day management of PPR’s property and concessions management program. 
  • Site Auditors (seasonal, part-time; deadline extended): Help prepare for a new, department-wide signage program! Responsibilities include auditing, mapping, and documenting more than 400 facilities throughout Philadelphia.

 

 

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Sheep Shearing Day at Fox Chase Farm

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The weather’s warming up, which means it’s sheep shearing season! Visit Fox Chase Farm this Saturday, April 29 from 12-4pm for crafts, games, live music, food, and the main event: sheep shearing. Watch the process – which helps keep the sheep cool in the summer heat – and learn what’s done with the wool. Admission is $3 for adults and children.


Learn more about Sheep Shearing Day.

 

 

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Lower Mayfair Playground Summer Camp Registration

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Lower Mayfair Playground runs its annual summer camp from July 3 to August 11. Our playground is nestled in the heart of Mayfair, and camp is available for children ages 6 to 12. Some of our popular attractions include three or more trips a weeks, outreach programs, guest speakers and events, sports, games, and arts & crafts. The children also receive breakfast and lunch daily, and a camp T-shirt. Before and after care is available. We are very proud of our excellent supervision and safety. Come join us and watch your children make new friends and lots of memories.


For more information, call us at 215-685-1227.

 

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Wissahickon Wood Duck and Warbler Festival

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The first annual Wissahickon Wood Duck and Warbler Festival will be held in the northernmost section of Wissahickon Valley Park on May 13, 7am-7pm. This festival highlights the overlapping natural phenomena of dozens of species of warblers migrating through the park and hundreds of wood ducks along the creek. This is also the time when breeding birds are on territory and the park is full of birdsong.


Check out the Wissahickon Wood Duck and Warbler Festival schedule of events, including bird walks, a wood duck survey, live performances, and more!

 

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Tech in the Commons Workshops

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Want to learn how you can use the latest digital engagement tools and techniques to tell your story? In partnership with Generocity.org and Technical.ly Philly, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation will offer a free workshop series on creative digital engagement techniques and tools for place-based nonprofits (such as community centers, libraries, and parks). Topics include augmented and virtual reality, data storytelling, live video, and social communication trends.


Check out the full schedule of workshops, which kick off Friday, April 28, as part of Philly Tech Week!

 

 

 

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Tacony Creek Park Events

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This May, join the Tacony Creek Park Keepers and Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed for free nature walks focused on our feathered friends!

  • Monday, May 8 at Fisher Park (7-8:30am) & Saturday, May 20 at Tacony Creek Park (8:30-10:30am): Bird expert Keith Russell of Audubon PA will lead bird walks. It’ll be the peak of spring migration, so expect some good bird spotting: woodpeckers, warblers, hawks, and more!
  • Wednesday, May 10 at Tacony Creek Park (9:30-11:30am): Environmental Educator Judith Gratz will lead a nature walk focused on birds and their feathers.

For all three walks, RSVPs are requested, but walk-ins are welcome! Donuts, coffee, and binoculars will be provided. Learn more about Tacony Creek Park’s schedule of spring events.

 

 

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Rebuild Updates: Happy Hollow Recreation Center

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On March 20, Mayor Jim Kenney, Councilwoman Cindy Bass, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, and Rebuild Executive Director Nicole Westerman toured Happy Hollow Recreation Center to highlight the need for Rebuild investments.


Learn more about their visit and how Happy Hollow brings a neighborhood together.

 

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2017 Philadelphia International Unity Cup News

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On Thursday, April 13 in the Mayor’s Reception Room, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell kicked off the announcement of the Philadelphia International Unity Cup along with the Youth Soccer for Success program. Over 20 countries were in attendance. Mayor Jim Kenney also announced that the Philadelphia Eagles will host the Unity Cup championship game this year at Lincoln Financial Field. 


Learn more about the 2017 Unity Cup!

 

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Philadelphia Senior Games

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The Philadelphia Senior Games will be held from Saturday, June 3 through Friday, June 9. The Senior Games are an Olympic-style competition for adults ages 50 and over, with events held at different locations around the city. Events include Track & Field, Basketball, Swimming, Horseshoes, Table Tennis, Golf, Billiards, Exercise Bike, Bowling, Darts, Scrabble and Pinochle.


For more information or to register, visit the Philadelphia Senior Games web site or call 215 685-2736.

 

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Boat Launches

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Spend sunny spring days on the Schuylkill or Delaware River: our boat launches are now open! We’ve got nine boat launches providing access to our local waterways.


Check out the full list of boat launches, and be sure to review Pennsylvania’s regulations for boating safety.

 

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Philly Celebrates Jazz Community Series

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The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) recently launched the Philly Celebrates Jazz Community Series, comprised of free concerts, dance classes, and film screenings at public sites during Jazz Appreciation Month in April. If you haven’t already, catch an event at a Philadelphia Parks & Recreation cultural or recreation center in the last few days:

  • Thursday April 27, 6pm, Shepard Recreation Center: The Rock School for Dance Education’s dance instructors will give a free jazz dance lesson.
  • Thursday April 27, 6pm, Morris Estate Cultural Center: Tap dance company Take It Away Dance, led by dancer Pamela Hetherington, will be providing a tap dance for all ages.
  • Friday April 28, 6pm, Marian Anderson Recreation Center: Artístas y Músicos Latino Americanos’ (AMLA) Latin Jazz Trio incorporates Latin rhythms in the genre of jazz.

Check out the full list of Philly Celebrates Jazz events!

 

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Grow Up Green Outdoor Adventures

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Grow Up Green is back for the spring with many Outdoor Adventures for Tot Rec. So far this spring, over 150 children at Cohox, Monkiewicz, Glavin, Fishtown, and Cione have read stories about nature, pretended to be frogs to hone jumping and balance skills, or have been inside a real tent for the first time ever. Many more sites will be visited over the next few weeks including Vogt, Junod, Lower Mayfair, Palmer, Water Tower and McIlvain, where many more children will pack for a hike, prepare to go camping, build pretend campfires, or count, compare, and contrast birds on the playground. Always an adventure when the tots are involved!


Interested in observing a program? Email mary-grace.gorman@phila.gov for more information.


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Fairmount Park Horticulture Center Tours

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On the second and fourth Saturday of every month from now through October, the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center is offering free tours! Arielle Narva, the Propagation Specialist for FarmPhilly, takes visitors on an educational experience, explaining the facility’s rich history and the ways the center is used today. The tours begin at 11am in the lobby of the Horticulture Center.


Check out our video about the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center tours!

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Morris Estate Cultural Center Updates

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Interested in learning a new musical instrument? Lessons for drum, guitar, and piano are now available by appointment at Morris Estate Cultural Center!

  • Instructor Antonio Gatling offers drum, guitar, and piano lessons for $10/half hour (to schedule, call 267-253-1163)
  • Master Instructor Mary Ann Schauder will offer piano lessons for $20/half hour on Mondays, starting June 26 (to schedule, call 215-208-1490; also offers Tuesday lessons at Carmella Playground)

Additionally, during the month of November, Morris Estate started their first Skills & Drills program for Philadelphia youth. The program ran from November to March. The Skills & Drills program aims to help the local youth to develop the skills necessary to compete in the world of basketball. 


Learn more about the Skills & Drills program – including how the teams performed in their first games!

 


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Party in the Playground

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Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse will host its tenth annual adults-only Party in the Playground on Thursday May 18, 2016 from 5:30-8pm at Smith’s historic 16,000 square foot Playhouse and 6½ acre Playground in East Fairmount Park. Party in the Playground is an important and fun way to raise funds to support Smith’s work, which includes welcoming over 181,000 visitors annually from families in the city, and providing educational and advocacy programs that use the power of play to help children, families, and communities thrive. 


Party in the Playground tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available.

 

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Play Ball with the Junior Baseball Federation


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The Junior Baseball Federation (the “JBF”) is marking its 70th year of providing opportunities and support for kids to participate in baseball and softball activities conducted by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. The JBF develops the resources to provide this program support primarily through the sale of ticket vouchers that, this year, are redeemable for one of five designated regular season Phillies games at Citizens Bank Park. By either purchasing vouchers for personal use or donating vouchers for use by camp programs, you will provide city kids with the excitement of attending a Major League Baseball game as well as making our kids feel like “big-leaguers” at their own local ballfields. 


Learn more about this year’s Junior Baseball Federation Benefit games and how you can help support the program.

 


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Philly Salamanders

By Tony Croasdale, Environmental Education Planner, Wissahickon Environmental Center
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What is the most numerous terrestrial vertebrate in Philadelphia? Perhaps it’s humans, gray squirrels, or even rats. The answer for our natural lands is very likely eastern red-backed salamanders. It has been estimated that in certain areas there can be 1,000 red-backed salamanders per acre! That could mean that our park system could host several million of these salamanders!


Discover the wild world of Philly salamanders.

 

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Ballfield Prep

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Ballfield prep is in full swing! Delayed a bit by our wintry weather, Operations staff are now hard at work getting Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s 379 ballfields ready for summer use. In these photos, Joseph Bryan (Grounds Maintenance Worker Crew Chief), Daniel Smith (Grounds Maintenance Worker 2), Joseph Hager Jr (Grounds and Facilities Maintenance Worker 1), Brian Merrigan (Grounds Maintenance Worker 2) and Anthony Mucerino (Grounds and Facilities Maintenance Worker 1) are prepping ballfields at Trumbette Playground and Torresdale Playground.


Learn more about the ballfield prep process.

 


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Bartram’s Mile Ribbon Cutting


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On Saturday, April 22, we celebrated Earth Day with the grand opening of Bartram’s Mile, the new trail and greenway connecting Southwest Philadelphia residents to the Schuylkill riverfront. Speakers at the event included Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, Mayor Jim Kenney, Senator Anthony Williams, and others involved with making this new community space a reality. After the speaking event and ribbon cutting, the community enjoyed bike riding, dancing, and other fun activities to make the debut of this trail a memorable day for all.

 

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FDR Fest


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The first-ever FDR Fest took place on Saturday, April 15! FDR Park visitors enjoyed an afternoon of bikes, boats, and bunnies – the Easter Bunny, that is. The event served as the seasonal opening for Wheel Fun Rentals as well as an Easter celebration, with an egg hunt and petting zoo. Live music and local food trucks rounded out the festivities.


See all of the ways you can explore FDR Park with Wheel Fun Rentals: surreys, tandem bikes, pedal boats, and beyond!

 

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Staff Profile: Robert Harris

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Robert Harris has been a Grounds Facilities Maintenance Worker I at Ramp Playground for about five years. We spent an afternoon learning about his work for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, from repairing playpads, to picking fresh vegetables, to keeping Ramp’s fields sunflower seed-free.


Learn more about Rob and why he loves his role at Ramp!

 

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Butterflies of Spring

By Mary Grace Gorman, Pennypack Environmental Center
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Sixteen beautifully decorated and designed butterflies are on display at Sister Cities Park, located at 18th & the Ben Franklin Parkway, until June! Stop by and see the fantastic works created by over 300 participants across the city at seventeen different sites. On Tuesday, May 16th from 4-5pm, join us at Sister Cities Park as various participating sites come to see the butterflies on display and release live butterflies.


Learn more about how these butterflies took flight. For more information, please email Mary-Grace.Gorman@phila.gov.

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Welcome New Staff


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We’re welcoming a few new faces to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation this month!  Community Initiative Specialist Mercedes Jones and Administrative Assistant Betty Reece joined the Stewardship team, while there’s a new crew of Communications Associates: Maire Dekle (Digital Content), Taylor Farnsworth (Social Media), and Vicki Schaffer (Public Relations).


Meet these new staff members!

 


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A2O Spring Session Check-In

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Young artists are sharing their superpowers with the Arts & Artists Outdoors (A2O) program, a partnership between Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Mural Arts Philadelphia! Artists work with 10- to 14-year-olds in after school sessions that combine arts education and environmental experiences. As a capstone project, artists and students collaborate on a site-specific art piece.


Learn more about our recent visit to an A2O session at Francisville Playground.

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Centennial Commons Groundbreaking

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On Thursday, April 20, Fairmount Park Conservancy started construction on the first phase of the Centennial Commons project, which is designed to create a more welcoming public space along Parkside Avenue in West Fairmount Park. The new layout designed by Studio|Bryan Hanes will include innovative play spaces for kids and young people, seating and picnic areas, landscaping, a rain garden, and better access to the park for neighbors and visitors to nearby cultural institutions.


Learn more about the Centennial Commons project!

 

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TreePhilly Spring Yard Tree Giveaways


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TreePhilly gave away a whopping 1,515 yard trees at sites across the city this spring -- from birches to buckeyes, cherries to crabapples!


Learn more about TreePhilly’s Community Yard Tree Giveaways, including the number one tip for keeping your yard tree healthy, and read a recap from Feltonville Recreation Center’s giveaway.

 

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Q&A with Powerlifter Charles King


By Samantha Greenberg, Recreation Specialty Instructor
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Charles King is not your ordinary athlete. After becoming blind due to glaucoma, Charles went through a downward spiral that included addiction and homelessness. To overcome his struggles, Charles took up the sport of powerlifting. He currently does a portion of his training in the weight room at Carousel House Recreation Center.


Philadelphia Parks & Recreation recently sat down with Charles to learn more about powerlifting, Charles’ accomplishments in the sport, and his plans for the future.

 


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FarmPhilly Week

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From April 17-21, we spotlighted the great urban agriculture programming offered at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation on our social media accounts. Our coverage included the Horticulture Center’s community propagation program, the community garden network, Junior Farmers and more!


Learn more about Carousel House Farm, East Park orchards, and the Brewerytown Garden – and check out our #FarmPhillyWeek hashtag on Twitter for a recap.

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TreeKeepers Update: New Crew, New Projects

By Andrew Emma, Operational Standards Manager
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TreeKeepers is a seasonal, 9-month workforce development crew that specializes in tree care and grounds maintenance work, with the goal of growing our crew members into full-time City employees. Since 2011, TreeKeeper crews have maintained trees and landscapes at over 190 individual facilities citywide. We hope to be adding more workers later in the summer, and while we have a growing list of prospectives, we’re always on the lookout for new candidates as positions open up. The new crew of TreeKeepers started on Friday, March 24: six of our current crew are returnees from last year, and we have two new additions as well.


Learn about the new Tree Keepers crew and how they’ve started out their year!


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Belmont Plateau Cross Country Hall of Fame: Q&A with Dave Thomas

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After 10+ years of formally producing and supporting Philadelphia-area road races – and a lifetime as a runner! – Dave Thomas has turned his focus to Belmont Plateau and its history as a top venue for cross country races. Dave recently shared more about his work with the Belmont Plateau Cross Country Hall of Fame (BPCCHOF), including what makes Belmont Plateau such a great spot for runners.


Learn about Dave’s work, and visit the BPCCHOF web site!


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Customer Service Corner


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“Work as a team for the best service delivery.”


Henry Ford once said, “if everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” If we take the time to collaborate across all divisions, we will have the relationships and tools necessary to provide superior customer service to the citizens of Philadelphia. The larger picture is about the work we do together before and after we engage our customers.

 

 


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Staff Changes


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New Hires:
Kelcie Hock, Assistant Recreation Leader
Tygh Kane, Recreation Leader Trainee
Tae Kim, Recreation Leader Trainee


Interdepartmental Transfers:
Martin Abreu, HVAC Mechanic 2
Michael Bahls, Plumbing and Heating Maintenance Worker
Mercedes Jones, Community Initiative Specialist
Debra Klyman, Departmental Payroll Clerk


Promotions:
Ryan Augustus, Recreation Leader 2
Aaron Hoffer, Recreation Leader 3
Steven Jacobs, Recreation Leader 2
Veronica Lawson, Recreation Leader 2
Larry McNeil, Recreation Leader 1
Lauren Murphy, Recreation Leader 2
Maria Rivera, Social Work Services Manager 2
Terrance Smith, Recreation Leader 2
Vincent Ward, Recreation Leader 2


Separations:
Narie Grayson, Recreation Leader 2
Cherri Williams, Secretary
Rodney Williams, Trades Helper

 


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Operations Weekend Coverage


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The weekend of April 8-9, our Operations division started weekend coverage, in preparation for the busy summer season! It is every Saturday and Sunday, eight hours a day. Typical weekend coverage includes trash removal, litter removal, restroom cleaning, picnic prep, event support, and other related operational needs. Staffing levels in each district include: one crew chief, one equipment operator and one Grounds and Facilities Maintenance Worker or Recreation Facility Caretaker. Coverage ends in mid-October.

 


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2017 Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society Conference Recap


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From March 26-29, 20 Philadelphia Parks & Recreation staff from Operations, Programming, and Stewardship divisions attended the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS) Conference in Hershey, PA. There, they sat in on educational sessions ranging from inclusion, to programming, to intergenerational workplaces, including a session by Leadership & Organizational Development Manager Bill Salvatore entitled “Creating a Culture of Celebration In Your Organization.” Conference highlights included Meghan Geiser receiving the Young Professional scholarship and the Philadelphia International Unity Cup earning an award for excellence in programming!

 


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Summer Recreation Leader Training Day

By Samantha Greenberg, Recreation Specialty Instructor
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On Friday, April 7, Facility Supervisors from recreation centers and playgrounds gathered at Pelbano Recreation Center in the Northeast for the annual Summer Training Day. The purpose of this event is to prepare supervisors for the busy nature of the summer season at our recreation facilities. This year’s event included a unique set of breakout sessions that participants could choose from that covered a wide range of topics, including; positive support training, day camps, playground safety, field trips, health, human resources, community engagement, and aquatics. 


Read more about the Summer Recreation Leader Training.

 

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Cherashore Playground Donations


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A friendly conversation with a stranger at the TODAY Show turned into a wonderful opportunity for the children and staff at Cherashore Playground!


Steve Schmidt (Recreation Leader 2) shares the story of Cherashore Playground’s gift.

 


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Temple Podiatry at the Broad Street Run


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Since 1984, Dr. Howard Palamarchuk, a professor at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM), has led a team of third-year students each year at the BSR, which now sees fields of up to 40,000 entrants. In the medical tent just after the finish line, the team works to identify and treat the range of issues that arise when runners – experienced and less-so – are making that push to the finish.


Learn more about the Temple Podiatry “pit crew”!

 

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Social Media Updates


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This month, our social media followers were particularly engaged with some of the spring programming and events starting to happen around the city. We covered events including the opening of Bartram’s Mile, FDR Fest, the Philly Spring Cleanup, and more! Our FarmPhilly Week programming, spotlighting the urban agriculture efforts at Parks & Recreation, also did well on our social media accounts.


Download our overview of the top social media posts in the last month.

 

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Pastorius Park Turtle Rescue


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You might notice Pastorius Park looking a bit different these days. That’s because it’s the site of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) Operation: Turtle Relocation! When the park’s pond needed to be dredged due to silt build-up, about 40 turtles had to find a new home. PPR staff and Park Friends teamed up to create a new space for the turtles to swim and sun, protected by fencing. Spend a spring afternoon with these (temporarily) relocated reptiles soon: once the pond’s concrete base is repaired, the turtles will be returned.

 

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Community Design Collaborative Leverage Event


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On April 4, Kathleen Muller, Brian Sell, and Meka Perez attended the Leverage Event sponsored by the Community Design Collaborative (CDC). The event was a celebration of local architects, designers and contractors celebrating the design work of the CDC from 2016 to 2017. In 2016, the AIA conference was held in Philadelphia. Every year, a site in need is chosen to be showcased throughout the conference with countless volunteers and donations. The Athletic Recreation Center in the Sharswood section of North Philadelphia was chosen as last year’s recipient. The 2016 AEC Cares project with Athletic Recreation Center, along with many others, was celebrated as one of CDC’s community champion pieces.

 


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Coping Skills & Outdoor Dance Party at James Finnegan Recreation Center

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Judy Nelson (MSS, CP, LCSW) shared some photos from the field of a great afternoon at James Finnegan Recreation Center: a coping skills workshop – part of the Strength-Based (Trauma-Informed) Leadership Programs – and an impromptu outdoor dance party with Recreation Leader Wayne Ingram! Coping skills workshops are designed to help build healthy social relationships, and to bring awareness and practice of techniques that build coping skills. This particular session took place in March, and there will be more offered in future.

 


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PowerCorpsPHL Cohort 7 Graduation & Cohort 8 Induction

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364 acres of land restored. 2,081 trees, shrubs, and gardens planted. 12 tons of litter removed.


Over the past six months, PowerCorpsPHL’s seventh cohort of crew members has left their mark on the city of Philadelphia. With a collective 49,676 hours of service among them, they’ve restored land, trees, trails, and waterways, working on Parks & Recreation and Water Department projects across the city. On Friday, March 31, members past and future gathered to celebrate the graduation of this group – and the induction of next year’s crews.


Learn more and meet a few of the PowerCorpsPHL members in attendance!

 


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Native Plants Along MLK Drive

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On March 21, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Stewardship and Natural Lands crews teamed up to plant native species along MLK Drive.

 


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10th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup

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Philadelphia’s 10th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup was a resounding success, with more than 20,600 Philadelphians completing 825 confirmed cleanups throughout the City.  The volunteers collected 649,000 lbs of trash, 2,000 lbs of yard waste, and more than 7,300 lbs of recyclable materials – in a single day! Thanks to all of the folks who participated, including those who helped clean up parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers throughout the city.

 


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Easter Events


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Sites across the city celebrated the recent Easter holiday with egg hunts, craft projects, and some real live farm animals! Hawthorne After School Program made Easter rabbit puppets, while at Shot Tower Playground and East Passyunk Community Recreation Center, egg hunts brought out quite a few community members to enjoy the spring activities.


Learn more about the Easter celebrations at Shot Tower and East Passyunk!

 

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Pennypack Environmental Center & Fox Chase Farm Wrap Up Maple Sugar Season


By Peter Kurtz, Environmental Education Program Specialist, Pennypack Environmental Center
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Since 1986, the staff from Pennypack Environmental Center has spent the last weeks of winter at Fox Chase Farm, using sap from the farm’s many Sugar Maples to make syrup and sugar. Sap will flow from the maple trees only on warm days following a freeze, and before the buds begin to open. This year’s weather was a challenge with few good flows of sap. Despite the weather, 2017 saw over 1,400 people visit the farm to learn about trees and sugar!


Learn more about maple sugar season at Fox Chase Farm.

 

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Citywide Dance Festival


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On Tuesday, April 18, fifteen dance groups from recreation centers and playgrounds throughout the city participated in the Citywide Dance Festival at Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center. Choreographers and recreation leaders trained these groups for months to prepare for the citywide festival, which showcases the talents of over 130 dancers while giving them the opportunity to perform in a professional space. 


See more photos of these talented young performers!

 

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Tarken Rink vs. Rizzo Rink Hockey


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Tarken and Rizzo Rink supervisors put together a friendly hockey game held at Tarken from their in-house programs. The kids had a fun time starting off with the National Anthem and ending with a pizza party. There were over 100 spectators in attendance.  Thanks to our staff for setting up the event!

 

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Springtime at Karakung Golf Course


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Daffodils are popping up along the 11th fairway rough at Karakung Golf Course! Located in West Philly, Cobb's Creek Golf Club is the site of the first public golf course in the Greater Philadelphia area and today houses two 18-hole layouts: "The Olde Course" and "The Karakung Course." The Karakung Course was initially built as an 11-hole course to help alleviate the large number of golfers playing the Olde Course. It became apparent how important that decision was because by 1929, over 120,000 rounds of golf alone were played at both the Cobb’s Creek "Olde Course" and "Karakung Course.” In modern times, U.S. President Donald Trump learned the game playing at Cobb’s Creek while attending Wharton School of Business in the late 1960s.

 

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Soccer for Success Clinic


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On Wednesday, April 12, the U.S. Soccer Foundation conducted an eight-hour coaches’ clinic for the volunteer coaches and Recreation Specialty Instructors that will be conducting soccer clinics for youth in Southwest Philadelphia at Myers Recreation Center, Connell Park, and James Finnegan Playground.  This was a very informative course!

 

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Videos: Baseball Competition & Bridesburg Recreation Center


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What’s new in District 2? Check out the latest update from Bridesburg Recreation Center’s After School program, and a video of District 2’s Pitch, Hit & Run Competition!

 

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