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JULY, 2013 |
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Dear Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Colleagues:
Summer is officially right around the corner and there is no stronger evidence of that than the opening of our outdoor swimming pools. As many of you know, we kicked off the pool season at Vogt Recreation Center today and over the next ten days, all 70 of our outdoor pools will be open to the public. Pool season is a much anticipated annual event in the city but it is also a strong demonstration of our department’s positive impact and value within Philadelphia. Through the collaborative efforts of a multitude of our colleagues (i.e., Skilled Trades, Program staff, Human Resources, Procurement, Grounds Maintenance and more), we provide children and adults throughout Philadelphia with a safe and fun activity. Hats off to everyone who has a role in making this happen.
But as we all know, the pools are only one component of our Summer offerings. Our neighborhood Summer camps will be underway shortly, movie nights are scheduled for neighborhood parks, the watershed parks are bustling with activities, the Environmental Education Centers are in full gear, the Summer Lunch Program is once again ready to provide nourishment throughout the city and permits for picnics and special events are in high demand. And some of the new and noteworthy special events that we will be conducting this Summer will be at “The Oval: The New Shape of Fun.” As part of our long-term involvement in the Parkway Plan, we will be coordinating programs and activities on Eakins Oval starting July 17th. This is an exciting opportunity for us and I welcome everyone to join us at “The Oval” for fun, food and good times. A preliminary schedule of activities is included elsewhere in this newsletter.
And finally, I want to touch upon one more exciting initiative; our ongoing branding process. By now, many of you have seen the branding presentation and video in person or online and we welcome the feedback you have provided. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to review the latest branding updates, I strongly encourage you to do so. Information on how to access the branding presentations has been distributed via email as well as through fact sheets that accompanied paychecks today. You will only have this opportunity until the close of business on Monday, June 24th so please take a look and let us know what you think.
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Pool Opening Schedule
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This afternoon Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will kick off pool season with the opening of the Vogt Recreation Center pool. Neighborhood swimming pools will open in batches now through July 1.
Download the Pool Opening Schedule
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Introducing: The Oval |
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This summer, Eakins Oval will become simply “The Oval,” as Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Fairmount Park Conservancy launch a season of programming as part of the More Park, Less Way plan for the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Oval will be beach-themed in 2013, complete with lifeguard chairs, sandboxes and a “boardwalk” with food trucks and seating.
Each day at The Oval will have a different programming theme:
Tuesdays, Wellness Wednesdays, Arts & Culture Thursdays, Environment Fridays, Food & Flicks Saturdays, Live Music Series Sundays, Family “Oval” Party
Continue reading about The Oval.
Follow The Oval on Facebook or Twitter for updates.
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Recreation Center Surveillance Camera Program
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On June 12, Councilwoman Cindy Bass and other City officials gathered to announce the funding and implementation of a program to install cameras in recreation centers and playgrounds across the city. District Council members have committed nearly $3.6 million in capital funding over three years for this program.
In addition to the cameras, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will also be installing a Mosquito anti-loitering system at each recreation center and playground.
Read more: "Council pledges $3.6M for rec center security cameras," 6 ABC, June 12, 2013
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TONIGHT: Urban Sustainability ForumAre We There Yet?: Becoming America’s Greenest City |
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Peek inside the inner workings of our city government and hear straight from the people who are implementing Mayor Nutter’s Greenworks Philadelphia plan.
Director of Sustainability Katherine Gajewski and her colleagues, including PPR’s own Andrew Emma, TreeKeepers Program Manager, will tell success stories, recount challenges, and talk about what’s next for the future of Philadelphia. How far must we go to become America’s greenest city? Find out this evening at the Academy of Natural Sciences, and network with other sustainability advocates during the post-program reception.
5:30 - 6pm Registration 6pm - 7pm Program 6pm - 7pm Program
Register
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The Jam: The Philly Cup Skateboarding Series |
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Divisions: 12 and under; 13-15; 16-18; Open
Sign-ups are at 11 a.m., and each contest starts at noon.
June 22: McCreesh (6477 Regent Street, 19142)
July 13: Pop’s (Trenton & East Hazard Street, 19125)
August 17: Whitehall (Torresdale & Wakeling, 19124)
October 5: Paine’s Park (MLK Boulevard and Ben Franklin Parkway, 19130)
$5 entry fee; all proceeds go to Franklin’s Paine 501(c)(3) to build and maintain its parks programs. Free lunch to all competitors.
Visit www.thejamseries.com for more info, or call (215) 683-3683 with questions.
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Wednesday Night Hayrides at Fox Chase Farm
July 17 & 24, August 7 & 14
- at 6 p.m.
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Join us for these family-fun, summer nights at the farm. Evenings include a farm-related food activity (think nutritional!) followed by a hayride. Hayrides begin at 7 p.m.
Call Pennypack Environmental Center at (215) 685-0470 for more information.
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Summer Events in Neighborhood Parks
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Summer is in full swing at our neighborhood parks with events ranging from movie nights to jazz concerts to talent shows.
A handful of events are below. Visit your local park to learn more about its summer plans!
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Mantua in Action Receives $90,000 in Funding |
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On June 5, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Drexel University hosted a check presentation celebration at the James L. Wright Recreation Center in honor of the Aberdeen Charitable Foundation’s commitment to provide $90,000 of funding over three years to Mantua in Action, a youth development program for middle-school students in Mantua.
The after-school program brings together sports and enrichment opportunities to transform educational outcomes for Mantua youth by helping them succeed in school, matriculate and successfully graduate from high school.
Mantua in Action is a broad partnership between Drexel University, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative, the We Are Mantua community planning effort, the DB4 youth task force and the Mantua Community Improvement Committee. It is coordinated by a non-profit organization, CustomED.
Watch 6 ABC’s coverage of the announcement
Learn more about the Mantua in Action funding
View images of the announcement event
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Starr Garden Mural Project |
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Society Hill’s Starr Garden is the latest site to be renewed through the partnership between Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Mural Arts Program. Thanks to funding from the Philadelphia Prison System, artist Delia King is busy designing a mural for the recreation center that combines the area's flora and fauna with graphic design elements in bold colors. And, of course, the black squirrel known to the center’s neighbors will play an important role in the design. This project will complement previous artistic touches added to Starr Garden by Recreation Leader Shara Gordon.
Once the design is approved by the Starr Garden community, the Guild Restorative Justice Program will bring the mural to life. The Guild provides inmates, ex-offenders and juvenile delinquents the opportunity to learn new skills and make a positive contribution to their communities to repair prior harm they may have caused. Its programs emphasize re-entry, reclamation of civic spaces and the use of art to give voice to people who have consistently felt disconnected from society.
Other Restorative Justice Program murals in the PPR system can be found at 12th & Cambria, Capitolo, Towey and Hancock recreation centers and playgrounds.
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Neighborhood Park Movie Screenings |
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Watch a movie under the stars this summer at one our neighborhood park movie screenings. Pack a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the show!
Wednesday, June 12 at Penn Treaty Park Thursday, June 27 at Pelbano Recreation Center Tuesday, July 9 at Penn Treaty Park Thursday, July 11 at Crispin Gardens AA Fields Monday, July 15 at Fox Chase Recreation Center Thursday, July 18 at Overington Park Thursday, July 25 at Fisher Park Playground Tuesday, August 6 at Dickinson Square Park Wednesday, August 14 at Lower Mayfair Playground Park Thursday, August 15 at Overington Park
Movie will start at dusk. Rain dates will be called by 4 p.m. on day of event.
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Million Tomato Compost Campaign |
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On June 6, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) announced that they are teaming up to participate in the U.S. Composting Council’s (USCC) Million Tomato Compost Campaign as part of a nationwide effort to help grow healthy food for community gardens and food banks.
PPR will be donating over 100 yards of compost from its Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center (FPORC) to six, brand new community gardens participating in PHS’s Garden Tender program. The campaign is an effort to bring together the nation’s compost manufacturers, chefs, community gardens and food pantries to help build healthy soil that produces nutritious, sustainably grown, local food for the nation’s communities.
Crops from the six Philadelphia community gardens will be used locally or donated to the PHS City Harvest program, which provides fresh produce for more than 1,200 residents in need each week during the growing season. At the end of the campaign in August, each community garden will count the number of tomatoes they are contributing to their neighborhoods or donating to a food bank.
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Food Trucks in City Hall
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On June 4, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Department of Public Property announced the launch of a brand new food truck lunch series in the City Hall Courtyard.
15 food trucks now vend in the Courtyard each week. Every day features a different set of food trucks, selling from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., with Wednesday vendors operating through 7:00 p.m. in conjunction with the reintroduction of the City Hall Presents performance series, which runs every Wednesday through the end of August, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Fridays will also include a bonus cupcake truck for the end of the work week sweets. This effort is an extension of the City’s food vending program at LOVE Park called “Lunch in LOVE” where vendors operate daily in front of the Welcome Center and LOVE Sculpture, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Download the monthly City Hall and LOVE Park vending schedules
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Grays Ferry Crescent Trail and Greenway Receives Award |
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Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, as well as its partners PennDOT and the Schuylkill River Development Corporation, has received the 2013 Project Recognition Award (Environmental Projects) from the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Construction Management Association of America.
Learn more about Grays Ferry Crescent
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Family Triathlon and Duathlon Summer Season
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TriYouthalon provides a mechanism for the entire family to participate in swimming, bicycling and running. This year’s events for ages 7-adult are as follows:
This year's races are organized for family participation.
Download the Family Triathlon & Duathlon Summer Season flier for more information
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Intergenerational Garden Update
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Community members have been busy at the Citizinvestor-funded intergenerational garden at Rivera Recreation Center! Thus far, there have been two workdays with adults from the Mann Older Adults Center to plant vegetables and install a pollinator garden. Besides helping to organize plantings, the seniors are also busy strategizing ways to engage the entire community in the garden.
Neighborhood youth, who gather weekly with Urban Ag Educator Marian Dalke to plant additional vegetables, are learning the basic concepts of stewardship, healthy choices and plant biology.
During Summer Camp, the youth and seniors will work in the garden together one morning a week.
Future plans for the garden include the installation of two rain barrels and game tables.
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Opening of 58th Street Greenway
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The 1.5-mile 58th Street Greenway, which connects Cobbs Creek Park with Bartram’s Garden in Southwest Philadelphia, opened in early June. The opening of this new segment of trail continues the expansion of The Circuit, the region’s developing trail network that aims to connect 750 miles of trails across Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey, more than 250 of which have already been completed.
Results of the project include significantly, safer intersections and pedestrian crossings, nicer sidewalks, better bus stops, and the addition of bike lanes. Among the improvements are safety features such as 12 new curb bumpouts, 32 new pedestrian countdown timers and 40 new pedestrian-scaled lampposts, as well as dozens of trail warning signs and pavement markings. A rain garden and tree trenches were created along the trail that will collect water during rain storms, contributing to improved water quality in the region’s rivers. The 58th Street Greenway also includes about 75 new trees that were planted by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.
This project was spearheaded by the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities and Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
Learn more:
"SW Philly adds 1.5-mile segment to region's trails," Philadelphia Inquirer, June 10, 2013
"58th Street Greenway officially open, connects Cobbs Creek and Bartram's Garden," PlanPhilly, June 10, 2013
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Advisory Council Banquet
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View additional pictures from the Philadelphia Recreation Advisory Council banquet (June 4, 2013 at Galdo’s)
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Philadelphia Games in Photos |
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Robert Smith, Vice President of Medicare Sales & Marketing, Independence Blue Cross; Sean Landetta, former Eagles Punter; and Lynn Spiro, PPR Director of Older Adult Services at the opening ceremonies for the Philadelphia Games on June 8. Independence Blue Cross was the major supporting sponsor of the Games.
Body Toning Workshop at the Healthy Lifestyles Expo on June 8
Pinochle Tournament
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Paine’s Park Ribbon Cutting |
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Local leaders, including Deputy Mayor Michael DiBerardinis, and hundreds of skateboarders met along the Schuylkill Banks on May 22 to cut the ribbon on Paine’s Park skatepark.
View pictures of the Paine’s Park Ribbon Cutting.
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Outdoor Discovery Day at Pleasant Hill Park |
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Saturday, July 13, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pleasant Hill Park (Linden Ave and Delaware Ave, 19136)
L.L.Bean and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will host Outdoor Discovery Day, featuring the 13-foot-high L.L.Bean Bootmobile, a larger-than-life version of L.L.Bean’s iconic boot on a mission to reignite America’s love of the outdoors. Expert guides from L.L.Bean’s Outdoor Discovery Schools will be on hand to provide Philadelphia residents with the opportunity to experience new ways to stay active and enjoy the outdoors this summer.
Families are invited to try their hand at fly fishing, geocaching, lawn games, camping demos and a chance to win some outdoor gear of your own
Free and open to the public – please spread the word!
Download the Outdoor Discovery Day flier
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The Senior Strut: A Health Event in the Park |
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Over 400 senior citizens strutted their stuff on June 18 at the Senior Strut along Boathouse Row, sponsored by Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Fairmount Park Conservancy. The one-mile walk along Kelly Drive also included a Health Fair with free screenings, fitness activities, healthy snacks and door prizes.
Hats off to Parks and Rec’s Lynn Spiro and her team for a successful event that included former Philadelphia Eagle Mike Quick, the Mummers Stringband and plenty of vendors and health screenings for our golden oldies! And even though the weather forecast was slated for thunderstorms, the rain held off for this event.
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Shofuso Ranked Third on North America's Best Japanese Garden's List |
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Shofuso Japanese House and Garden has once again been ranked among the top Japanese gardens in North America in the May/June 2013 issue of Sukiya Living (Journal of Japanese Gardening) magazine.
We can be confident that our continuous progress in the preservation and maintenance of our historic structure and landscape is enhancing our reputation in the neighborhood, the region, and the world.
View the full rankings and learn more.
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Community-generated Playground Reviews
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Looking for a new playground to visit with your child? Consult the experts! Philadelphia Playgrounds Project has been documenting and reviewing PPR play spaces since August 2009. In January 2012, Michael Froehlich and his daughter Zora joined the game with Zora Plays, a blog with hand-drawn maps and pictures of each playground and park.
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Urban Forestry & Ecosystem Management in the Field |
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Natural Resource Director Tom Witmer and Restoration Field Technician Luke Rhodes working on invasive plant removal along the recently dedicated Tacony Creek Recreation Path. Invasive species management is one of several challenges faced by this natural area, which is also illegally and extensively used by off-road vehicles like ATV's and motorcycles. The disturbance caused by this illegal activity kills wildlife, causes substantial soil erosion, vandalizes and destroys new native plantings and disrupts this otherwise peaceful setting. PPR is tackling the off-road vehicle problem through its partnership with the Philadelphia Police Department.
PPR Project Manager Curtis Helm participating in the Careers Workshop Symposium hosted by Morris Arboretum. Students from Saul High School and Mercy Vocational attended the workshop to learn about a variety of environmental career opportunities. Mr. Helm provided a "workshop" demonstrating the art and science behind wetland identification and delineation.
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Spring Art Show Awards |
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Mann Older Adult Center artists pose with Visual Arts Coordinator Valerie Arhondakis and Deputy Commissioner of Programs Leo Dignam at the Spring Art Show Awards, held at Carousel House.
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Staff Hiking Tour of Wissahickon |
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On June 14, 13 current and former PPR staff members hit the trails of the Wissahickon on a hiking tour organized by Debbie Carr (Director of Environmental Education), Trish Fries (Wissahickon Environmental Center) and Bill Salvatore (Houston Playground). After a round of introductions, Bill started the morning with an overview of the history of Houston Playground, as well as its current programming and facilities. Before plunging into Houston Meadow, Debbie gave the group a helpful lesson on how to identify poison ivy. Then the true adventure began!
Hiking with four environmental educators is a pleasure—Debbie, Trish, John Holback (RSI) and Kim Wood (Environmental Educator) helped the group identify many plants, birds, trees and bugs along the way, using not just sight but also hearing, smell and touch for teaching. Binoculars and field guides were shared generously, and everyone was able to spot turtles, ducklings, orioles and more. Once the group reached Forbidden Drive, resident historian Rob Armstrong (Historic Preservation and Development Specialist) shared his knowledge of the Wissahickon Valley’s history and features. The hike ended at Valley Green Inn where the environmental educators, led by Heather Hill (Program Assistant/Educator), treated the PPR hikers to a delicious meal.
Thanks to comfortably cloudy weather, staff members were able to amble leisurely, enjoying the views of the beautiful Wissahickon while getting to know previously unfamiliar coworkers. The hike was a great recreational experience in a park setting and plans to organize another in Pennypack Park this fall are already underway!
View more photos of the hiking tour
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Branding Update |
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On June 10, Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis and Branding Consultant Ed Tettemer presented department branding concepts to 50 staff members gathered at Carousel House for feedback on the work in progress.
If you could not attend the June 10 meeting and have not reviewed the branding materials yet, please complete the following steps by Monday, June 24 at 5 p.m.
[Note: These materials are works in progress meant for internal review only.]
1. Watch Ed Tettemer’s presentation (16 minutes)
2. Watch the 5-minute video anthem
3. Review the presentation of design mockups (1.5 minutes)
4. Complete the feedback survey
All materials will be removed from their respective websites on the evening of June 24.
If you experience any difficulty with the links, please contact Moria Miller (moria.miller@phila.gov; 215-683-3689) for assistance.
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Coherence Update
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Coherence Project sponsors met with consultants Pat Sanaghan and Nancy Aronson on June 5 to provide updates on each project’s progress.
This month’s featured project: Be Outside
Members: Stephanie Hoffer, Alex Hughes-Taylor, Kathy Tunney, Terri Kerwawich
Purpose: Connect kids to outdoor parks, activities and environmental education
Accomplishments and Plans: The Be Outside team has been busy! Since the Coherence Projects launched in February, team members have developed a menu of activities for this outdoor recreation program, created and distributed program applications to After School sites, and selected 9 sites (6 programs) to launch in September.
Children at the selected After School programs will participate in activities ranging from kayaking to apple pressing to critter catching. The team has worked out partnerships with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to provide daytrips to State parks on early dismissal dates, and has mapped out contingency plans for bad weather as well.
At the conclusion of each activity, children and After School leaders will complete evaluations to gauge its value.
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Staffing Changes |
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Interdepartmental Transfers
Annette Coreano, Human Resource Professional
New Hires
John Hilton, Water Safety Instructor I
James Sheril Smalls, Grounds Maintenance Worker I
Doris Swarn, Water Safety Instructor I
Joseph James Casino, Grounds Maintenance Worker I
Promotions
Jeffrey Bellows, Equipment Operator 2 (Zamboni)
Joseph Bryan, Grounds Maintenance Worker Crew Chief
Nicholas Dobkowski, Recreation Leader 1
Kirk Foster, Recreation Leader 1
Fred Hubbard, Jr., Operations Manager
Shane Martin, Recreation Leader 2
Patricia M. McCole, Recreation Leader 3
John Medica, Recreation Leader 1
Sabastian Musumeci, Heavy Equipment Operator 1
William Sheridan, Jr., Carpentry Group Leader
Retirees
Michael Beckett, Heavy Equipment Operator 1
Paul Cleary, Park Grounds Maintenance Supervisor
Thomas Hanna, Park Project Technician
Gregory Ritchie, Recreation Leader 1
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Staff Event at Finnegan's Wake |
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On Thursday evening May 23, 50 PPR staff members enjoyed an evening of music and trivia at Finnegan's Wake at the second Staff Karaoke/Quizzo Night. Many brave employees took to the microphone to belt out some favorite tunes to the best of their ability, and the competition for prizes and bragging rights was fierce among the 10 teams playing Quizzo. Good food and drink combined with the entertainment made for a great night of fun and socializing among PPR employees.
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New JFK Plaza Parking Policy |
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On June 4, a new parking policy was implemented at JFK Plaza/LOVE Park. Please download the parking schematic associated with the revised policy. This graphic outlines all prohibited parking areas (lined in red) along with the designated parking area for City and contractor vehicles to use while conducting business or servicing the plaza. The plan includes three street parking spaces, but they are only for individuals doing business with the Welcome Center.
The purpose of the plan is to limit the number of vehicles parking on the plaza, ensuring greater pedestrian safety and access and eliminating obstructions in the main pathways of the plaza.
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Correction: Broad Street Run Update
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John Medica, Rec Leader 1, also completed the Broad Street Run on May 5. Congrats, John!
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