Having trouble reading this? View it in your browser.

 
space
 
space

JUNE, 2017

space
space

Dear Staff:


I know some of you are recovering from major departmental undertakings—like the NFL Draft and Broad Street Run—and others are up to your ears in LOVE Your Park Week logistics. The massive Broad Street Run team, led by Jim Marino and Peggy Jastrzemski, delivered a fabulous experience for tens of thousands of runners and spectators on a beautiful day (and thank goodness for that, after last year’s rain!).  Our Stewardship and Operations teams faced less-than-beautiful weather for the start of LOVE Your Park Week, but the sun has since emerged and parks across the city are now bustling with special events and service days. 


Both the Broad Street Run and LOVE Your Park Week are excellent reminders of the importance of volunteers to our department. Whether signing up for a daylong commitment or several decades, our volunteers give their time and talents to support our work and magnify our impact. In particular, I’d like to remember two important volunteers, Awilda Ocasio and Coach Wiz, both of whom we lost recently.


As a founder of the Friends of McPherson Square and Community Outreach Coordinator for Impact Services, Awilda was deeply invested in Kensington and specifically McPherson Square Park. Despite the challenges of turning a place known for its struggle with drug usage into a safe space for children, Awilda always had a smile or a hug for her Parks & Recreation friends. You only need to watch her ten seconds in our brand anthem video to get a sense of her commitment to McPherson Square and the neighbors who use it. 


Similarly, Wayne “Wiz” Allen, a cofounder and coach of the North Philly Aztecs football team, was a key volunteer in the Hunting Park community. Coach Wiz created an alternate option to the streets for youth in Hunting Park and invested more than two decades of his life serving as a mentor to his athletes.


Both Awilda and Coach Wiz saw needs for improvement in their communities and, thanks to resources, guidance, and support from our staff, accomplished real change. We are lucky to have thousands of likeminded volunteers engaged in our recreation centers and parks.


Finally, I’d like to recognize two staff members for their teamwork, quick thinking, and crisis management skills. As detailed later in this newsletter issue, Kathy Tunney, Recreation Leader II, and Dave Smith, Assistant Recreation Leader, recently sprang into action after discovering an unresponsive man in the bathroom at Picariello Playground, administering CPR and chest compressions until the paramedics arrived. Great work, Kathy and Dave!


Thank you, as always, for your dedicated service.


Kathryn Ott Lovell


TOP

space
space
space

Reader Survey

space
space newsletter survey space
space

We’re always trying to improve our newsletter for you, our readers! Please take our survey to let us know what works, what doesn’t, and what you’d like to see in future issues. 


Take this super-short (just five questions!) survey to help us make the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Newsletter better for you.

 

 

TOP

space
space
space

LOVE Your Park Week

space
space LYPEvents space
space

LOVE Your Park Week is here, now through May 21! A collaboration among Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Fairmount Park Conservancy, and the Philadelphia Park Friends Network, LOVE Your Park Week offers dozens of ways to show your local park some love: from service days (there are still some spots looking for extra hands!) to special events.


Check out the full list of opportunities to help clean, green, and celebrate your local park this LOVE Your Park Week.


 

TOP

space
space
space

Dell Music Center Summer Concert Series

space
space Dell Music space
space

The weather’s heating up, and so are this summer’s events at the Dell Music Center! The 2017 Essence of Entertainment series kicks off July 6 and runs through August 24, with concerts at 7pm each Thursday – plus a few special shows, including Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, Patty Jackson’s Party in the Park, and Lady B’s Annual Basement Party.


Check out the full list of Dell Music Center summer concerts.

 

TOP

space
space
space

Parks on Tap Season Kick-off

space
space ParksonTap space
space

Parks on Tap is back! A partnership of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy, and FCM Hospitality, Philly’s first and only traveling beer garden will bring delicious food, beer on tap, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages to 20 parks this summer, plus a mix of activities and programming. This year’s first stop: the Azalea Garden, now through Sunday, May 21. Hours and events vary by day, so be sure to check online for details. 


Visit a Parks on Tap location near you, now through October 21.

 

 

TOP

space
space
space

Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

space
space Commission
Photo credit: Spirit News
space
space

On Monday, May 22 from 6-8pm, join the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commission (PaRC) at Kendrick Recreation Center for one of their six annual meetings. This is your opportunity to learn more about PaRC’s work and to make your voice heard! This month, there will be a presentation on the final details of the Discovery Center.


Stay up to date on PaRC’s work.

 

TOP

space
space
space

Philadelphia Senior Games

space
space broad street run
space
space

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 as a competitor or volunteer – visit the Philadelphia Senior Games website.

 

TOP

space
space
space

Help Friends of the Wissahickon Win $100,000

space
space WissahickonValleyPark space
space

Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) is one of three finalists in the running for a $100,000 donation from NRG Gives, NRG Home’s community giving program. FOW is a 93-year-old nonprofit with a mission to preserve the natural beauty and wildness of Wissahickon Valley Park, which sees over one million visits each year.


Vote now to support FOW’s work to preserve the Wissahickon: voting only lasts through midnight on Friday, May 19!

 

 

TOP

space
space
space

Union League Good Citizenship Awards

space
space Union League
space
space

The Union League’s Good Citizenship Award goes to high school juniors in Philadelphia who show high personal standards of behavior and leadership. This spring, six young people representing the spirit of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation were chosen for this prestigious award. Congratulations to Casey Buck (Ramp Playground), Rah’mire Jackson (Lackman Playground), Kashia Larke (East Poplar Playground), DeShonda Ponder (Vare Recreation Center), Shannon Schofield (Chalfont Playground), and Don Mazzio Williams-Bey, Jr. (Kendrick Recreation Center)!


Recipients were honored on May 10 at Good Citizen Day, with a program of events including a mock trial experience and an Award Banquet. Meka Perez, PPR/Get Healthy Philly Nutrition Coordinator, was in attendance and shared a few photos.

 

TOP

space
space
space

Morris Estate Jazz in the Park Concert Series

space
space jazz
space
space

The fourth season of Jazz in the Park is almost here! This free concert series at Morris Estate Cultural Center is held on Tuesdays from 6-9pm, starting July 11 and running through August 15. Thanks to Councilwoman Cindy Bass and the Morris Estate Advisory Council for their sponsorship, and to Serena Sol Brown for producing and directing the series. 


Stay up-to-date on the latest at Morris Estate!

 

 

TOP

space
space
space

Historic Fairmount Park Scavenger Hunt

space
space fairmount park scavenger hunt
space
space

Discover and explore six historic houses (also known as Park Charms), their architecture, and history, on this fun and engaging 3-hour scavenger hunt through Fairmount Park on Sunday, June 4, 9:30am-1pm. Celebrate your team's accomplishments with prizes, drinks, and eats at Parks on Tap at the Belmont Plateau following the hunt. Tickets are $15 for Fairmount Park Conservancy members and $25 for non-members, and include coffee and snacks at the start, a drink at the end, and point-based prizes!


Learn more and get tickets for the Historic Fairmount Park Scavenger Hunt.

 

 

TOP

space
space
space

Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

space
space socialmedia space
space

Take your Philadelphia Parks & Recreation love to the next level: follow us on social media! If you’re not following us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, you’re missing out on some of the PPR moments that don’t make it into the newsletter. For example, did you know we…

The photos above are just a sampling of the great stories we share on social media -- so join us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter today!

 

 

TOP

space
space
space

Performing Arts Update

space
space PerformingArtsUpdate space
space

Join Bill Arthur and The Star Players for “A Night of Disney” (or two!), with performances Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 at 7pm at the Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center.


Auditions are also coming up for two new productions:

  • Into the Woods: auditions will be held on Wednesday, June 14 at 7pm and Saturday, June 17 at 1pm at Morris Estate Cultural Center; email starplayers2013@gmail.com to learn more
  • Wild: auditions for this devised Western piece will be held on Sunday, June 11 at 12pm and Monday, June 12 at 7pm at Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center; the performance will be part of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, September 21-30

 

TOP

space
space
space

Kidchella at Smith Memorial Playground

space
space Kidchella
space
space

Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse’s wildly popular Kidchella Music Festival will continue for a fourth year on Friday, June 16, July 21, and August 18 from 4-7:30pm, with support provided by the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, the PA Council on the Arts, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and MetroKids. This year, the festival will include a Youth Arts Zone on Smith’s front lawn in addition to the main stage concerts in Smith’s 6.5-acre playground emceed by Kathy O’Connell of WXPN’s Kids Corner and featuring six nationally acclaimed children’s music artists. Tickets are $10 for non-members and $5 for members.


Learn more and buy tickets for Kidchella!

 

 

 

TOP

space
space
space

Lloyd Hall Jugglers Club

space
space LloydHallJugglers space
space

Every Monday night from 8-10pm, an eclectic group of individuals from the Philadelphia Jugglers Club gather at Lloyd Hall to practice their juggling skills. From the basic tossing of three balls to more advanced methods on unicycles and stilts, you can stop by to see as many as 40 jugglers of all levels practicing their skills. Spectators and new members are always welcome! 


We recently visited a Monday night meeting of the Lloyd Hall Jugglers Club to learn more.

 

TOP

space
space
space

US Soccer Foundation Influence Award

space
space KOLUSSoccerFoundation space
space

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell recently received the US Soccer Foundation’s Urban Soccer Symposium Influence Award! Commissioner Ott Lovell was recognized for her commitment to ensuring that children in communities throughout Philadelphia have access to sports-based programming.

 

Learn more about the latest example of that programming: the Unity Youth Soccer League.

 

TOP

space
space
space

Fairmount Park Recycling Center

space
space RecyclingCenter space
space

Home gardeners, did you know you can get up to 30 gallons of free compost, mulch, wood chips, and manure from the Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center? Even better: compost from the recycling center recently scored a whopping 100 on a professional germination test, meaning it grew seedlings perfectly! If you want to give your seedlings a great start, stop by the center and pick up a load of grade-A, Philly-sourced recycled goodness.


Learn where, when, and how to get your gallons of compost, mulch, wood chips, or manure for residential use.

 

TOP

space
space
space

Shuler Playground Chess Club

space
space Shuler Playground Chess Club space
space

The Shuler Playground Chess Club offers chess experience for all levels – from novice to expert! – for youth ages 8 to 17. It’s one of several chess programs offered at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) facilities across the city.


Learn more about chess programming at PPR sites.

 

TOP

space
space
space

Walk With Ease at the Mann Older Adult Center

By Beth Perkowski, Recreation Leader 3, Rivera Recreation Center
space
space MannOACWalkWithEase space
space

Members of the Mann Older Adult Center are wonderfully creative and active seniors! They participate in fitness classes, work on computers and create beautiful artwork, as well as play billiards and dominoes. They happily celebrate life and being with each other every day when they gather together on 5th Street in Fairhill. Therefore, it was no surprise that many seniors jumped at the chance to participate in PPR’s newest program for older adults: Walk With Ease. This program, created by the Arthritis Foundation and Sponsored by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) to promote better health, improved fitness, and less pain through walking, offers a structured program that has been tested and proven to benefit those who complete it.  


Learn more about the Walk With Ease program at Mann.

 

TOP

space
space
space

Awilda Ocasio: The Definition of Loving Your Park

By Patty-Pat Kozlowski, Director of Park Stewardship
space
space AwildaOcasio space
space

Webster’s Dictionary defines LOVE as “an intense feeling of deep affection.” Having attachment, endearment, devotion, adoration, compassion, and unselfishness. It also states an example of love is “carrying a torch” for a person, an object, a cause.


All of those words described what our friend, Awilda Ocasio, had for McPherson Square.


Learn more about Park Friend Awilda.

 

TOP

space
space
space

The Dirt

space
space The Dirt space
space

We’re trying something new with this month’s edition, at the suggestion of Robin Klink – welcome to “The Dirt”! In this section, we’ll be sharing stories from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation staff about life outside the department. We need your help, though: send suggestions, tips, or stories to parksandrecreation@phila.gov.


This month’s scoop:

  • A bit belated, but welcome to the world, Madeleine Crandall Potter! Public Relations Manager Jen Crandall (and driver Patty-Pat) had quite the adventure when baby Madeleine made her appearance a month ahead of schedule. Read the full story.
  • Big congratulations to the PPR staff members who participated in the Broad Street Run: Brian Conti, Chris Creelman, Patricia Fuller, Steve Jacobs, JJ Pospiech, Emma Schad, and Katie Wimsey! We tracked down their times, and the speediest staff person was Brian Conti at 1:17:30, followed closely by Katie Wimsey at 1:17:55. 

TOP

space
space
space

Customer Service Corner

space
space CustomerServiceMay space
space

Theme for May: Find a balance between service and efficiency.


Sir Terry Leahy, former CEO of Tesco, said “Follow the customer; if they change – we change.”  As our city and the citizens we serve on a daily basis evolve, we must continually adapt to the changing face of our communities to better serve them.

TOP

space
space
space

Staff Changes

space
space

New Hires:
Maurice Griffin, Urban Park Ranger 1
Lawrence Iaccio, Recreation Leader Trainee
Melissa Keal, Urban Park Ranger 1


Interdepartmental Transfers:
Keivanna Jones, Data Service Support Clerk


Promotions:
Jean Carr, Procurement Technician
Lori Hayes, Parks Operations Director


Separations:
Heather Garvin, Recreation Leader 1
John Goodwin, Heavy Equipment Operator
Anthony Hinton, Equipment Operator 1
Janet Rios, Grounds Maintenance Worker Crew Chief

 

TOP

space
space
space

Basic Spanish Training for PPR Staff

space
space

Looking to brush up on your Spanish skills? Join us on Thursday, June 15 at 1pm at Feltonville Recreation Center for the first of many PPR staff trainings in basic Spanish that you may find useful in your community engagement experience. Come with an open mind and a willingness to learn strategies for more meaningful PPR experiences for you and the communities you serve!


If interested, please RSVP to Bill Salvatore: bill.salvatore@phila.gov or 215-683-3685.

 


TOP

space
space
space

Laurel Hill Mansion Roof Rehabilitation

space
space LaurelHillMansion space
space

Construction on East Fairmount Park’s Laurel Hill Mansion started in the late 1760s, and we’re working today to keep it looking its 18th-century best! Laurel Hill recently received a full roof rehabilitation, completed in record time. Prior to the rehab, portions of the roof had been leaking; luckily, there were no underlying structural issues. The entire wood shingle roof was replaced, and most of the house’s gutters and downspouts could be reused. A bit of paint touch-up on the chimneys cleaned up their appearance and added to the life of these elements.

 

TOP

space
space
space

After School Professionals Week


space
space After School Professionals Week
space
space

For this year’s After School Professionals Appreciation Week (April 24-28), Philadelphia Parks & Recreation celebrated our hard-working, compassionate, and dedicated After School staff. In particular, we honored the contributions of seven of our staff members, nominated for their tireless effort and outstanding work. Kendall Edwards (Markward Playground) was selected as the top After School Professional of the year.


Meet Kendall and our other After School Professionals of the year!

 


 


TOP

space
space
space

Lardner’s Point & Cobbs Creek Security Systems


space
space LardnersPointSecurity
space
space

Cobbs Creek Environmental Center and Lardner’s Point Park recently received new security features! (The Lardner’s Point project is pictured.) Surveillance cameras were installed at both facilities; Cobbs Creek also received security lights, while at Lardner’s Point, burglar alarms were added.

 


TOP

space
space
space

Rebuild Update: Francis J. Myers Recreation Center

space
space MyersRebuild space
space

On April 13, Mayor Jim Kenney, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, and Rebuild Executive Director Nicole Westerman toured F.J. Myers Recreation Center to see the state of the facility, visit the basketball program, and meet with residents who use the site regularly to learn about what potential benefit a Rebuild investment would bring to Francis Myers.


Learn more about their visit to Myers Recreation Center.

 

TOP

space
space
space

Staff Profile: Dortay Spanier

space
space Staff Profile: Dortay Spanier space
space

Dortay Spanier’s official title is Heavy Equipment Operator 2 – unofficially, she’s Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s first female Zamboni operator! We checked in with Dortay to learn about what brought her to the ice, how she keeps Rizzo Rink looking great for skaters, and the secrets to Zamboni-driving success.


Learn more about Dortay and why she loves working at Rizzo.

 


TOP

space
space
space

MLK Older Adult Center Ribbon Cutting Recap

space
space MLKOACRibbonCutting space
space

On April 21, Mayor Jim Kenney, City Council President Darrell L. Clarke, Commissioner of Parks & Recreation Kathryn Ott Lovell, and other City officials joined community leaders and senior citizens to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new facility for the Martin Luther King Older Adult Center in central North Philadelphia. The new 10,000 square foot building features a large lunchroom and commercial kitchen, a billiards room, multipurpose room, and classrooms for art, fitness, and computers.

 


TOP

space
space
space

Benjamin Franklin Parkway Renovations


space
space ParkwayRenovations space
space

We recently put the finishing touches on a decade-long, multi-million dollar investment in improvements to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway! Between the 1600 and 1900 blocks, you’ll spot quite a few new features, including: safety updates to make the Parkway more pedestrian-, bike-, and wheelchair-friendly; stormwater trenches to help protect our watersheds; and landscaping and aesthetic improvements.

 

TOP

space
space
space

Broad Street Run Recap

space
space Broad Street Run Recap space
space

On May 7, tens of thousands of runners raced through the city in the 38th annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run! Of course, the BSR doesn’t start and stop with the runners: Philadelphia Parks & Recreation staff work hard pre- and post-race to make this Philly tradition go smoothly.


For a peek behind the scenes, check out photos from Gustine Recreation Center, where volunteers packed 40,000 bags to hand out to runners post-race, and learn more about efforts to make the run a “zero waste” event.

 


 

TOP

space
space
space

NFL Draft Recap

space
space NFL Draft Recap space
space

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) staff helped make the NFL Draft Experience (April 27-29) a huge success! From tree maintenance to trash removal, District Operations Manager Gerald McFeeley shares how staff got the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and surrounding areas Draft-ready. A big thank you to all those who participated in set-up, operations, and take-down.


Learn more about PPR’s involvement in the 2017 NFL Draft festivities.

 

TOP

space
space
space

Hemlock Treatment in Wissahickon


By Curtis Helm, Project Manager, Urban Forestry & Ecosystem Management
space
space HemlockTreatment space
space

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) staff Curtis Helm and Thomas Dougherty worked closely with the Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to treat hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) trees growing in the Wissahickon Valley Park. Hemlock is a native conifer that grows to 2-3 feet in diameter and up to 100 feet tall. It is a graceful addition to our mostly deciduous forest, proving winter interest and important wildlife habitat. The trees are being treated to suppress "hemlock wooly adelgid," which is a tiny aphid-like insect introduced from Asia in 1951. The insect feeds on the needle-like leaves, slowly but surely sucking the life out of the trees. Without these treatments, the adelgid will ultimately eliminate all hemlock from our local forests. PPR treated approximately 300 hemlocks growing along the slopes above and below Forbidden Drive. Our treatments should protect these trees for about five years, at which point they will need to be re-treated. FOW and TNC intend to monitor the success of this effort.

 

TOP

space
space
space

Hissey Playground Ribbon Cutting

space
space Hissey Playground Ribbon Cutting space
space

On May 6, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Deputy Commissioner Orlando Rendon, Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, and other community members participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony recognizing the completion of improvements to Hissey Playground. Renovations include state-of-the-art play equipment with safety surfaces, new fencing, and fitness equipment for adults. Following the ceremony, neighbors enjoyed a community barbecue and tried out the new slides, swings, and more!

 


TOP

space
space
space

Painters Prep Fountains and Pools for Summer


space
space FountainRepainting
space
space

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation painters are busy preparing pools and fountains for the warmer weather! Check out their hard work as you swim and sun around the city this summer: above, PPR staff are pictured repainting Swann Fountain at Logan Square.


Find a pool or sprayground near you.

 


TOP

space
space
space

District 6 Flag Football & Talent Show

space
space District6UpdateMay space
space

The kids of District 6 are showing their skills! Amos Playground and Towey Playground had a flag football face-off on April 26 at Blackhawks/St. Joe’s Prep Field. The previous week, on April 20, the District 6 Talent Show featured local youth singing, dancing, acting, and more. Congratulations to all of the talented participants, and thanks to the spectators and sponsors who helped make it a great evening!

TOP

space
space
space

Rivera Recreation Center & Schmidt Playground Butterfly Team-Up

By Julien Carrasquilo, Recreation Leader Trainee, Rivera Recreation Center
space
space RiveraSchmidtButterflies space
space

Rivera Recreation Center and Schmidt Playground teamed up to make a beautiful butterfly entry for Butterfly Day at Sister Cities Park. The collaborative effort spurred creativity in the kids as Rivera designed one side of the butterfly and Schmidt children designed the other. The children look forward to celebrating their team effort with children from rec centers across the city in a culminating event to be held at the beautiful Sister Cities Park. Rivera and Schmidt cannot wait to work together again, hopefully, in the near future.

 

 

TOP

space
space
space

Plant Patrol: The Wissahickon Strangler


By Robin Klink, Park Manager
space
space Plant Patrol: The Wissahickon Strangler space
space

Along the edge of Forbidden Drive, near Rex Avenue, lurks the Oriental Bittersweet Strangler. An unfortunate Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) stood still for too long and was encircled and girdled by this alluring murderer, its death imminent. This former forest stalwart no longer provides habitat or shade; its carbon now released back into the atmosphere. 


This Asian invader was originally introduced as an ornamental in the US in the 1860s, contributing to the destruction of our Philadelphia forest. It will continue to wreak havoc on those unsuspecting innocents that stay in one place for too long.


Support your local Urban Forestry and Ecosystem Management Team as they help stop the notorious Wissahickon Strangler.

 

TOP

space
space
space

Wister Playground Transformation

By Jameele Mitchell, Recreation Leader, Wister Playground
space
space WisterTransformation
space
space

Germantown’s Wister Playground has received a facelift inside and out. Many community members are in awe of the renovations to the playground, which include outdoor exercise equipment, a swing to accommodate individuals with physical limitations, and a new sprayground. But it’s the inside that has many calling it the "new Wister." There is a reading center, computer station, homework centers, and a lounge area. "It's like a home," one of our kids exclaimed. To many this center has become a second home with the After School program, dance class, and Girl Scouts, to name a few of the programs. Now, it looks like it, too.


Many thanks to all the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation family who helped to make this happen.

 


TOP

space
space
space

Fox Chase After School Program Visits Tarken Ice Rink

space
space FoxChaseatTarken space
space

On April 20, Fox Chase Recreation Center’s After School Program took a trip to Tarken Ice Rink for an afternoon of ice skating fun. It was a blast for all who came!


If you would like to arrange for your group to go ice skating at Tarken, contact Recreation Leader Walt Mullholland at (215) 685-1226 or email him at walter.mullholland@phila.gov. Tarken also has public skating hours on Monday and Friday from 7-9pm and Saturday from 12-2pm.

TOP

space
space
space

Erosion Control on Our Borders: Cobbs Creek


By Curtis Helm, Project Manager, Urban Forestry & Ecosystem Management
space
space CobbsCreekBorderControl
space
space

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) recently teamed up with Philadelphia Water (PW) to correct three ugly scars in our park landscape. These “scars” were located in Cobbs Creek Park, two of them in Upper Darby Township (did you know that PPR manages park property outside of our city limits?) and one in Haddington Woods (near Cobbs Creek Golf Course).


Learn more about PPR, PW, and PowerCorpsPHL’s work to restore and stabilize eroded landscapes.

 


TOP

space
space
space

Schmidt Playground Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

By Tammy Harrity, Recreation Leader 2, Schmidt Playground
space
space CincoDeMayoFiesta space
space

The children at Schmidt Playground began our celebration of Cinco de Mayo looking up fun facts about Mexico: Mexico is the eleventh most populated country in the world, Cinco de Mayo is not their Independence Day (that takes place in September), and children do not receive gifts on Christmas Day (they wait for the arrival of the Three Kings on January 6), just to name a few. Miss Lilliana helped the children make paper sombreros which we used to decorate the tables for our fiesta. Earlier in the week, they also created tissue paper flowers to adorn the walls. Forty-six children enjoyed tacos and lively conversation. Feliz Cinco de Mayo todo el mundo.


TOP

space

space
space

Earth Day Celebrations


space
space JunodEarthDay space
space

As you might imagine, Earth Day is an especially important holiday for us here at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation! This year’s festivities included lots of love for trees in particular: we had fun planting trees at Junod Park, where Arborist Richard Sunday shares, “Working with our future – kids! – is the best. They ask many questions and want to learn, and some said this is what they want to do when they grow up.” Director of Urban Forestry Lori Hayes also received an Urban Forestry Award on behalf of the City from TD Bank.

 

 


TOP

space
space
space

Mother’s Day for Wister Playground


By Jameele Mitchell, Recreation Leader, Wister Playground
space
space WisterMothersDay
space
space

For many, Mother’s Day brings so many emotions. For Girl Scout Troop 09073 it was a chance for the girls to be creative: they made pillows! The older and younger girls worked together, creating bows and letters. There were smiles and chuckles of excitement as they completed their labor of love. Happy Mother's Day from Wister Playground.

 


TOP

space
space
space

Picariello Playground Rescue


space
space

On May 1 at 8:45, Assistant Recreation Leader Dave Smith was inspecting the outside bathrooms of Picariello Playground when he found a gentleman lying on the floor barely breathing. The staff immediately called paramedics. Once the paramedics were called, Recreation Leader 2 Kathy Tunney noticed that the man had stopped breathing and had begun to turn blue. She quickly turned him over and began to administer CPR, and then mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The man resumed breathing after two breaths and his responsiveness returned once the paramedics arrived.

 


TOP

space
space
 
space