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JUNE 2018

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Dear Staff:


Spring has sprung at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and summertime is just around the corner! I look forward to this time of year because this really is our season – so let's make the most of it in 2018! A good place to start is with the exciting developments for Rebuilding Community Infrastructure (Rebuild), the City's initiative to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in parks, recreation centers, and libraries across the city.


In the last two weeks, Mayor Jim Kenney, Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis, members of City Council, and other City officials have joined with community leaders and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation advocates to announce that the program is moving forward with leaps and bounds. First at Vare Recreation Center – a site that's urgent need for improvements has been well documented in the media – and then at Olney Recreation Center just last week, the Mayor announced these sites as the first two projects which will receive investment from Rebuild, and was pleased to report that City Council moved legislation out of committee to approve Rebuild's first round of sites and budget. Help for our facilities is on the way! The Mayor also highlighted the lousy conditions in many PPR spaces, and thanked the men and women of our department that work miracles with very limited resources: your efforts do not go unnoticed. You can read more about the announcements below.


And with that good news, we turn our attention to what's ahead. Since summer unofficially began this past weekend over the Memorial Day holiday, now is a great time to get ready for the children who will enter our programs and facilities when school lets out in just a few weeks. From outdoor adventure and arts camps, to pools, athletics, and even Camp Philly, there is something for every single child who wants to be involved this summer. If you're not familiar with all of the options available to kids and parents, take a moment to click through the new Finder feature on the website to see what's going on in your neighborhood and across the city at www.phila.gov/parksandrecreation. Don't forget: each and every one of you is an ambassador for PPR in your neighborhoods and with your friends and family, so being up to date on the latest offerings from the department goes a long way in helping us do our job of serving all Philadelphians.


And finally, Wednesday marked a special day for PPR and the entire City: the grand re-opening of LOVE Park in Center City– one of the most iconic parks in the city and, I'd argue, the entire nation. Mayor Kenney, City Council President Clarke, and other officials triumphantly cut the ribbon and switched on the new fountain with lots of music, entertainment, and giveaways for everyone who stopped by. Check out the pictures on the Parks & Rec Flickr account if you missed the action. And when you find yourself downtown, either because you're coming to the 10th floor or you're enjoying well-earned time off, make sure to take a few minutes to stroll, sit, or lounge and really get to know the new park.


 

Yours in service,


Kathryn Ott Lovell
Commissioner


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Rebuild Gets the Green Light

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On May 16, Mayor Jim Kenney announced Vare Recreation Center as the first project to receive investment from Rebuilding Community Infrastructure (Rebuild), the City’s initiative to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in parks, recreation centers, and libraries across Philadelphia.


Less than a week later on May 22, Mayor Kenney announced that Olney Recreation Center will be the second project to receive investment.


Following the announcement of additional projects in the coming weeks, community engagement, design, and construction is expected to begin later this year. Learn more about Rebuild and details about upcoming projects, and read more about the announcement at Vare.

 

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LOVE Park Opening

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On May 30, Mayor Kenney, City Council President Clarke, Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis, Commissioner Ott Lovell, and Fairmount Park Conservancy Executive Director Jamie Gauthier joined hundreds of spectators to officially cut the ribbon for the newly re-designed LOVE Park. The event featured live performances from New Sound Brass Band, the Sixers Dunk Squad presented by Dunkin Donuts, and Ballet X; the return of the much anticipated Lunch in Love food truck program; and the new fountain was turned on.


Check out pictures from the event and follow LOVE Park (@LOVEParkPhilly) on social media for updates on food trucks, programming, and more.

 

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Philly’s First Aerial Adventure Course Is Open!

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Officially opened on May 10, Philadelphia’s first aerial adventure course gives park-goers a new way to experience the forests of West Fairmount Park. The facility includes treetop obstacle courses for kids as young as 4, with more challenging options for older kids, teens, and adults. Commissioner Ott Lovell was joined by Councilman Curtis Jones, executives from Treetop Quest, and community members to cut the ribbon on the unique outdoor venue. Proceeds from the concession will be reinvested in Philadelphia’s parks.  Make a reservation on the TreetopQuest Philly website.

 

 

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Meet Me at the Park Contest Winner: Adaptive Hiking

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The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has announced the winners of the national Meet Me at the Park Earth Month campaign. Philly’s winning project includes the purchase of all-terrain wheelchairs and walkers to increase accessibility at environmental centers for those with mobility limitations. Special programs will be held as well.


Meet Me at the Park is part of NRPA and Disney’s commitment to provide 1 million kids and families with greater access to play. Throughout Earth Month in April, the public cast their votes and nominations to direct grant funding for park improvement projects that connect kids to nature, inspire healthy living, and provide access to sports.


Learn more about the winning projects.

 

 

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Reminder: Check Out Parks on Tap!

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The city’s traveling community beer garden offers Philadelphians a reason to explore parks outside their neighborhoods while raising funds that are reinvested into the park system. From now through September, look for stops in locations such as Pastorius Park in Chestnut Hill, Dickinson Square in South Philly, and Pleasant Hill Park in the Far Northeast. In fact, Parks on Tap is at Gorgas Park in Roxborough this weekend.


View the full schedule, menu, and beverage options.

 

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Summer Preview: Neighborhood Parks to Watch

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Parks & Recreation always has a lot going on during the summer– so it can be hard to keep track of all the fun, family-friendly opportunities! In addition to the programs you know, like Parks on Tap, the Oval and the Dell Music Center, you can also find great entertainment right in your neighborhood. Check out our guide for what to do at five selected neighborhood parks through the city this summer.

 

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Job Opportunities

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Our latest job opportunities are below. remember to check our Employment page regularly for new seasonal positions as they become available.


  • Movie Night Assistants (June - October 2018): Travel throughout the city this summer, setting up free movie nights for community members to enjoy.
  • Lifeguards (June - August 2018): Lifeguards are still needed for PPR’s 70+ pools this summer, but time is running out to apply!
  • Street Tree Inventory Specialist (June - December 2018): Assist PPR with its project to inventory the City’s street trees. Experience with GIS and arboricultural knowledge preferred.
  • Computer Instructor (Part-time, permanent position): Help Philadelphians bridge the digital divide through access and instruction on computers, the internet, and tech training.
  • LOVE Park Ambassador (May - October 2018): Spend your days in Philadelphia’s newest and most famous park! Ambassadors will support programming, activities, and amenities offered in the park.

 

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2018 Dell Music Center Season Lineup

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The Dell Music Center’s 2018 Essence of Entertainment Concert Season opens Thursday, July 5 with three music sensations: R&B performers Kem, Tamar Braxton, and Damien Escobar. In addition to the Essence of Entertainment concerts, the 2018 Dell Music Center line-up will include movie nights, featuring Black Panther on August 21, and cultural programming like PHILADANCO! and the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra.


Information about the 2018 schedule, tickets for individual shows, and more can be found at the Dell’s new website: TheDellMusicCenter.com or Ticketmaster.

 

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New Program Spotlight: Murals on the Move

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Parks & Rec is partnering with Mural Arts Philadelphia to offer PPR campers a new way to experience and create art this summer: Murals on the Move. A special van, dubbed the “Mural Mobile,” will criss-cross the city with art teachers and supplies to provide pop-up art classes at after-school programs and summer camps at nine recreation centers.


Read more about the program and find out if Murals on the Move is coming to your neighborhood soon.

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Get Out on the Rivers This Summer

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If you’re lucky enough to have your own boat, canoe, or kayak, you can take advantage of Philadelphia’s strategic location between two coursing waterways and get out for some fun and relaxation on the water. To get your boat in the water, you can find PPR boat launches using the new Finder tool on our website. We also strongly recommend reviewing the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission's regulations before you go.

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Philly Wildlife: Be on the Lookout!

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It’s that time of year when we’re out enjoying nature or nature finds its way to our doorstep. Either way, you can help save a life or help researchers and conservationists with your observations.


  • What do you do if you find an “abandoned” baby bird? We all want to help, but we’re not sure how. Get the answer from our very own Tony Crosdale.
  • A small species of snake, a brown snake, has really embraced city living and can be found in many neighborhoods. If you find one, snap a pic and report it to the Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey.

 

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Senior Games Registration

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Adults ages 50 and over, join us in June for the Philadelphia Senior Games. This annual festival and competition includes fitness activities and sporting events for participants of varying physical abilities. Events kick off on Saturday, June 2 and run through Friday, June 8.


Instructor-led events scheduled to take place on opening day include the Senior Health Expo, various fitness demonstrations, zumba, Tai Chi, self-defense, and line dancing. Other competitive events include table tennis, basketball hot shot, swimming, and track & field. The winner of each event will receive a trophy at the awards banquet held in July.


For additional information, visit philadelphiagames.org or call the Philadelphia Senior Games information line at 215-685-2736.

 

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P3: Plants Make Positive Places Native Garden Program

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Park Friends groups and recreation centers with gardens on Philadelphia Parks & Recreation property can now submit an application to the P3 program to receive native plant material, resources, and training. The P3 program aims to increase stewardship and the ecological function of PPR landscapes. Find out what’s in bloom now and how to apply for the summer season.

 

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Funding for Manayunk Canal Repairs

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The City of Philadelphia was awarded more than $8 million from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and PennDOT for multimodal transportation projects, including much needed repairs to the historic Manayunk Canal. PPR will be implementing the project, which is the final preservation and rehabilitation work in a series of projects begun in 1977. Read more about the Manayunk Canal Lower Locks and how it serves the city.

 

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Celebrating Bike Month

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Did you celebrate National Bike Month this May? Established in 1956 by the League of American Bicyclists, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the benefits of bicycling and encourage more people to give biking a try. In that spirit, PPR has great opportunities to get out and onto a bike to explore Philadelphia’s neighborhoods and parks. Make a plan to give one a try this summer.

  • Adult Learn-to-Ride classes offered monthly by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia at Lloyd Hall on Boathouse Row.
  • Philly’s bike share program, Indego, is constantly adding new bike docking stations– with some located in and right next to PPR properties. Check out the map of stations and plan a day biking around town, exploring new parks or playgrounds.
  • PPR concessionaire Wheel Fun Rentals offers bike and surrey rentals at South Philly’s FDR Park, as well as on Boathouse Row, near Lloyd Hall. Rent a bike and feel great knowing that proceeds from your purchase are going directly back into the park system.

 

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Enjoy a Phillies Game and Support PPR Programs

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Remember the fun of playing in pickup baseball games or participating in an organized softball league at your local playground as a child? Well, girls and boys around the city are building the same baseball and softball memories due to a unique partnership between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Junior Baseball Federation (JBF). The JBF is able to generate support for grassroots youth programs primarily through the sale of ticket vouchers for regular season Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park. This year, the Phillies have identified five regular-season games as JBF Benefit games, and we welcome your support of our efforts.  


By purchasing vouchers to one or more games for your personal use or donation for use by PPR camp programs, you will provide our kids with the opportunity to feel like “big leaguers” at their own ball field as well as the excitement of attending a major league baseball game.

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

 

 

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2018 Unity Cup Updates

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In 2018, the Unity Cup is expanding to 52 teams, meaning that there will be even more opportunities for Philadelphians to cheer on an ever-growing diversity of countries represented. The tournament kicks off on Friday, August 3 at Ramp Playground and runs until the championship game on October 13. Other tournament updates are below.


It’s time to pick groups for the 2018 Unity Cup tournament


Join Mayor Kenney, Commissioner Ott Lovell, and soccer fans from around the city for the 2018 Philadelphia International Unity Cup group draw event on Thursday, June 7 at 11am at the Independence Visitor Center, 6th & Market Streets.


World Cup Watch Party at the Dell


On June 30, the Unity Cup will host a World Cup Watch Party at the Dell Music Center, beginning at 2pm. It will be a free, family-friendly event with food and beverages available for purchase. Mark your calendars!


Special Award for KYWNewsradio coverage of the Unity Cup


Earlier this month, KYWNewsradio was honored with a 2018 Edward R. Murrow award for Excellence in Sports Reporting for its coverage of the Philadelphia International Unity Cup. Since 1971, the Radio Television Digital News Association has honored outstanding achievements in journalism with the Murrow Award.

 

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Get Free Organic Materials for Your Yard!

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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 scored a whopping 100 on a professional germination test, meaning it grew seedlings perfectly! If you want to give your plants 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.

 

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Giant Butterflies in Sister Cities Park

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Every year, PPR’s environmental education program sponsors a project in which PPR sites can decorate a large wooden butterfly cut-out to reflect a certain species. An installation of the artwork is now on display through the end of June on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. When you’re downtown, be sure to check out a butterfly created by a center in your neighborhood and if you can’t make it to Center City, you can see photos of the butterflies on the PPR Flickr account.

 

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2018 Union League Citizenship Award Winners

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Every May, the Youth Work Foundation hosts its annual Good Citizen Day at the Union League of Philadelphia to celebrate and honor selected students. The Good Citizen Day program features a morning of presentations and workshops focused on aspects of good citizenship. Students get an opportunity to explore the different branches of government and their respective roles and responsibilities. The highlight of the day for many is the Award Banquet, which is attended by many Union League members and special guests. The Good Citizenship Award has been presented to more than 17,000 students, many of whom have become leaders in their communities.


Find out which 11 teens PPR selected as this year’s department awardees.

 

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Staff Changes

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In May, PPR wished a fond farewell to Curtis Helm after years of dedicated service to the department. But he left us a parting gift: proof of his fine craftsmanship skills with the installation of two beautiful benches in the 10th floor hallway of One Parkway Building.


Curtis selected two “live edge” sugar maple slabs from among those milled from logs at PPR’s Recycling Center in February. He removed bandsaw milling marks and other irregularities from the top of the slabs with a combination of hand tools. The bench bases were also made from sugar maple, and hand cut by Curtis to achieve the trapezoidal shape. The dis-assembled benches were hauled into the building’s elevators one evening in April and unloaded on the 10th floor where they were bolted together. They were too cumbersome and heavy to install otherwise.


Curt also worked with PowerCorpsPHL and PhilaCor to manufacture 15 similar benches that will be installed at The Oval this summer.


Thanks to Curt and his years of service to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.


 

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Groundbreakings and Ribbon Cuttings

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PPR hosted some unique groundbreaking and ribbon cutting ceremonies in May. Keep up with the latest news and events by checking the “Posts” section on the PPR website and view pictures from these events and more on the PPR Flickr account.

  • Schuylkill River Trail: On April 20, City of Philadelphia officials and Schuylkill River Development Corporation announced that the portion of the Schuylkill River Trail from South Street to Christian Street was officially open.
  • Smith Playground: On April 21, Commissioner Ott Lovell joined former Philadelphia Eagle Connor Barwin, current Eagles Center Jason Kelce, and the team from Barwin’s Make The World Better Foundation to cut the ribbon for the newly renovated Smith Playground in South Philadelphia. Improvements at the 24th & Jackson Streets site include new turf fields, a new basketball court, and a renovated recreation building.
  • Treetop Quest Philly: On May 10, Commissioner Ott Lovell led a ribbon cutting ceremony for this new concession in West Fairmount Park. Book your trip to the aerial adventure course.

Due to the unusually wet weather in May, some planned press events were postponed, so stay tuned for a very busy June.

 

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Top Social Media Report

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As the weather’s warmed up, we’ve enjoyed sharing all the events and programs at our parks and playgrounds, while getting great feedback from our followers online. From the return of annual attractions like the Philadelphia Orchestra’s free neighborhood concert series and the Broad Street Run, to new features like the grand re-opening of LOVE Park, May was a busy month for social media!

 

Download the May 2018 social media report

 

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Neighborhood News

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Northwest Philly


  • Hillside Recreation Center: On May 18, the Little Explorer’s tot rec program went on a trip to Giggleberry Fair at Peddler’s Village in Bucks County.
  • Gustine Recreation Center: The center played a big role in the success of the Broad Street Run by hosting the arrival of supplies and an assembly line for more than 40,000 runners’ bags the Friday and Saturday before the event.
  • The Star Players of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation:
    • Performed three great numbers at the City Wide Dance Festival in April
    • Will be holding auditions at the Venice Island Performing Arts Center for its next show, 42nd Street, in June. Rehearsals will happen during the summer, and performances will be the first week in October.


North Philly

  • Last month Athletic Recreation Center hosted a Mother’s Day event which included a fashion show, a movie night, and a series of jazz shorts. It also concluded its Bitty Basketball program, which teaches fundamentals of the game.
  • The District 6 Flag Football League began this month. Games are played at the Blackhawk/St. Joe’s Prep Field at 11th & Cecil B. Moore Avenue.
  • MLK Recreation Center hosted the I Heart Hoops basketball league for boys 11 & under.

Northeast Philly



 


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