JULY 2018

Dear Staff:

It’s no secret that this is my favorite time of year at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and in the city in general. Summertime is when everyone comes out to play, and we get to show residents and visitors the best of what we have to offer – and that’s what this issue of the PPR newsletter is all about.

From outdoor movie nights, concerts, and yoga at parks and recreation centers, to hiking trails, pools, and farmers’ markets, there is an endless supply of activities to get you and your family enjoying your neighborhood and the people in it. There are endless lists all over the internet of the “Top Philly Experiences” you must try in 2018, but take it from the people who are really in the know (those people being the folks who organize all of these activities, a.k.a. PPR staffers): we have the best round-up of (mostly) free ways to get out and about this season.  Our list of “15 fun things to do in Philly parks and rec centers this summer” is in this issue and on the web.

In addition to fun experiences and activities, it’s also worth mentioning that PPR provides a host of necessary, even vital, services for children and families across the city every summer. Summer camps are fun for kids to spend the weeks between school learning and growing, and at the same time, parents take comfort knowing that their children are being well supervised if they are unable to be at home with them for those weeks.  In the same vein, many families in Philadelphia rely on schools to provide their students with breakfast and lunch to maintain good nutrition and focus during the school day – but food insecurity doesn’t take a break in the summer. PPR is the city’s largest provider of meals for kids outside of schools, which we do daily at playgrounds, Play Streets, and recreation centers during the weekdays in the summer. Find free summer meals for a student you know by visiting www.phillysummermeals.org, calling 1-855-252-MEAL, or texting “FOOD” or “MEALPA” to 877-877.

Philadelphians rely on us for so much more than entertainment, and we proudly meet the needs of the communities in which we serve. I know that each and every one of you takes the work you do seriously– so I hope you find some time to take a little break, relax and recharge, and reconnect with your families too.

Yours in service,

Kathryn Ott Lovell

Outdoor Pools Are Open!

As of today, nearly all of our 70+ indoor and outdoor pools have opened for the summer season! Please check in with your neighborhood pool for days and times of open swim, family swim, and adult swim, as well as swim lessons and swim team activities.

Find a pool near you.

15 Fun Things to Do in Philly Parks and Rec Centers This Summer

There is so much to do in Philly parks and recreation centers this summer. Whether you’re looking to relax or work up a sweat, there is an activity for everyone, including:

• Watch an outdoor movie.
• Listen to live music.
• Do some yoga.

Check out our FULL list of top 15 picks for this summer.

Baxter Trail Open on Weekends

Now through Labor Day weekend, the Baxter Trail will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The trail is approximately two miles long, and connects Pennypack on the Delaware Park to Pleasant Hill Park. The Baxter Trail will be a part of the Circuit Trails and the East Coast Greenway.

Learn more about the Baxter Trail.

Picnicking Dos and Don’ts

Everyone is welcome to enjoy Philadelphia parks and recreation centers! One great way to do so is to have a picnic or barbecue with friends and family. In order to keep these spaces safe and clean, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Philadelphia Police Department enforce rules for parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers.

Follow our simple picnicking dos and don’ts tips to stay safe and enjoy yourself.

The Oval+

The Oval+ returns to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on July 20! This year’s season of the Oval+ will run from July 20 to August 19, with the family-friendly theme of “More PARK, More PLAY.”

Check back for updates at theovalphl.org.

Farmers’ Markets Have Returned!

Philadelphia’s parks and playgrounds host farmers’ markets throughout the spring and summer! Search for a farmers’ market in your neighborhood to enjoy fresh, local, healthy foods.

Find a farmers’ market in your neighborhood.

Check Out Our Trails Map!

Want to hit the trails this summer? Our new, interactive map can help! Search, explore, and navigate through PPR trails with our trails web map.

Wheel Fun Night Rides

This summer, night rides are available at Wheel Fun’s Boathouse Row location! Rentals include headlights and tail lights on the surrey cycle, as well as lights wrapped around the uprights and the spokes of the front. Enjoy the fun of these surreys without the daytime crowds.

Headed to FDR Park? Wheel Fun Rentals offers fun and easy ways to explore the park by bike or boat.

Check out Wheel Fun at Boathouse Row or FDR Park.

Job Opportunities

• Workforce Development Program Manager(Full-time, exempt): Work collaboratively in the design, development, implementation and management of the Community Apprenticeship Program. This includes participant recruitment and selection, program administration, curriculum/courseware development, training delivery, career and workplace readiness, career pathway alignment, job placement assistance, and stakeholder engagement.
• The Oval+ Production Coordinators (July-August 2018): Assist in the management and scheduling of public programming, activities, and amenities at The Oval +.
• Seasonal Driver (July-April 2018): The Carousel House needs a seasonal driver to transport participants and maintain vehicles assigned to the recreation center. A valid PA Commercial Drivers License with passenger endorsement is required.

Remember to check our Employment page regularly for new seasonal positions as they become available.

Unity Cup News: World Cup Watch Party, 2018 Schedule & More

As the 2018 Philadelphia International Unity Cup gets closer, there are many announcements and updates to share, including:

• A June 30 World Cup Watch Party at the Dell Music Center-- join us!
• The 2018 tournament schedule
• Parade of Nations banner project events
• The Unity Youth League celebrated a successful spring season. 

Stay updated on the Unity Cup at Unitycup.phila.gov.

Recent Groundbreakings and Ribbon Cuttings

This spring and summer, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation has hosted groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings across the city to celebrate new or renovated parks, playgrounds, and public spaces, including:

• Waterloo Playground
• The Rail Park
• Centennial Commons
• May Myers Playground
• Wissinoming Park
• and MORE!

Having trouble keeping up? Here’s a summary of the celebrations, renovations, and planned improvements.

Thanks to our Capital Projects Staff!

The improvements in our previous story, and the additional projects below, would not be possible without the PPR Capital Projects staff leading the charge.

Philly Wildlife: Spotting Reptiles and Amphibians

The sounds and sights of reptiles and amphibians are a sign that summer is here. If you’d like to find critters this summer, there are tips on where to focus your efforts to best spot them.

Read more about finding reptiles and amphibians this summer.

Spring Arts Show at City Hall

Check out what Parks & Rec’s artists created this school year! From now through August 3, artwork from various Philadelphia Parks & Recreation sites will be on display at City Hall. Visit the second and fourth floors of City Hall to see the hard work that our children and staff put into their visual arts projects.

Learn more about Art in City Hall.

Farm Philly Updates

Farm Philly supports over 60 urban agriculture projects on Philadelphia Parks & Recreation land, including orchards, vegetable and fruit production, youth education gardens, inter-generational gardens, community gardens, and market farms. After a busy spring, Farm Philly staff shared updates on their work at Bartram’s Garden, the Emily Street Growing Homes Garden, the Carousel House CSA, and the Community Propagation Program!

Check out what Farm Philly has been up to.

ReadyPhila Alerts

ReadyPhiladelphia is the City of Philadelphia’s notification system that provides you with emergency information, ranging from severe weather advisories, to SEPTA delays, to special event street closures. To sign up, text ReadyPhila to 888-777, or select your notification preferences on the ReadyPhiladelphia website.

Learn more at www.phila.gov/ReadyPhila.

Stewardship Updates

Whole Foods Volunteers Clean Up Tip Top Playground
25 Whole Foods employees joined Stewardship staff and Friends of Tip Top Playground for a fantastic service day at Fishtown's Tip Top Playground. The group spent the full morning removing 30 bags of weeds, leaves, and other organic debris from the park, and five bags of trash from the surrounding sidewalks.

Read more about the service event at Tip Top and see pictures.

Philadelphia Zoo Volunteers Clean Up Lemon Hill
Last month, the Philadelphia Zoo continued a longtime partnership with PPR to bring more native trees and shrubs to Fairmount Park. A team of 15 volunteers joined Stewardship staff to restore a section of forest on Lemon Hill. Learn more about the Philadelphia Zoo service event.

Want to volunteer with a group? Find out how.

Baseball, Softball, and Something More

Over 1,200 summer campers from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation  day camps attended an afternoon Phillies game last summer. Transportation for the camps to Citizens Bank Park, and the opportunity for campers to "run the bases" after the game, was provided by the Junior Baseball Federation (the "JBF") as part of the JBF's efforts to promote youth engagement in baseball and softball.

Wednesday, July 25 is Camp Day at the Phillies this year, and the JBF will, once again, be making tickets and transportation available for PPR summer day camps. Our ability to provide children with this experience is dependent on 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.

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

The Dirt

 
• Charles A. Christman III, Max Myers Playground supervisor, had a very successful screening of his “MASKS” trilogy at the Venice Island Performing Arts Center. Actors from the movie, along with his award-winning crew, helped share not only the completed films, but also the movie-making experience with the audience.
• Kudos to Bill Arthur of Morris Estate Cultural Center on the release of his original song, “Fake Smiles,” and the accompanying music video. This song has a message to help one be understanding of others, and helpful whenever possible, a quality reflected by many in our field.

Social Media Report

Summer has arrived, and the city is ready to celebrate! From pool openings and outdoor events, to LGBTQ Pride and more, June has been a busy month for Parks & Rec. Top posts this month included the 2018 pool schedule, rainbow lights, and a lot of LOVE.

Check out this month’s social media report

Neighborhood News

Northwest Philly

• Gustine Rec Center hosted a Camp Philly parent meeting in June, as well as a meal for the Hope Afloat Dragon Boat Team.
• The Star Players had a very successful show with their recent production of “A Night at the Movies.”

North Philly

• Advisory Council members and staff at Penrose Playground hosted an event with a group of teenagers to observe Iftar, a religious observances of Ramadan.