OCTOBER, 2015

Dear Friends:

It’s here! The World Meeting of Families Congress kicked off on Tuesday, and Pope Francis arrives on Saturday. Thanks to the hard work and collaborative spirit of many of our staff, participants in this celebration are enjoying safe, clean, and ready to use parks and recreation facilities.

The department’s involvement in this event can be broken into three categories: preparation, venues used, and management/function. To prepare for this week, our tree crews have been busy with tree work and prunings along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, in East Park and at Franklin Square. The lights at Boathouse Row were renovated, and Operations planted 4,000 yellow and white mums in LOVE Park and along the Parkway. Light poles have been painted, LOVE Park has been power washed, and countless other efforts have been made to ensure we were ready to welcome the surge of residents and visitors to our sites.

In addition to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 11 other PPR locations will be used for logistics and services during the pope’s visit. From helicopter landings to emergency medical service stations, event staging and public parking, our parks and recreation centers will play an important role in this visit.

Finally, our staff is integral to the actual management of the pope’s visit. 120 employees, representing work units like Operations, Special Events, Rangers, Skilled Trades and the Executive Team, will be on hand to support the event, many of them sleeping, eating, and showering at Lloyd Hall. Our staff will work with representatives from other City departments during 12-hour shifts throughout and following the event.

And, equally important to note, beyond the Papal zone our field staff will continue providing essential programs and services at neighborhood recreation centers and parks.

Thank you for your role in this historic event.

Woodford Orchard Apple Harvest Festival

Saturday, October 10, 12-2 p.m.
Woodford Mansion, 33rd Street & Dauphin Drive

Activities include:

• Cider making
• Heirloom apple tasting
• Pumpkin painting
• Children's games
• Visits to the bee hives
• and more!

Download the event flyer to learn more

The Star Players Present: The Producers

Come see the Star Players, PPR’s own theater group, present The Producers, a Mel Brooks musical, at the Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center:

October 9, 10 & 11 at 7pm
Advance tickets: $10
Door tickets: $12 adults, $8 seniors and children under 12

For tickets and information, call Bill Arthur at (215) 685-2891 or email billarthur1010@yahoo.com

Fall Outdoor Experiences

Fall is the perfect time to join Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s Outdoor Experience Program for an adventure! Here’s what we’ve got planned in October:

• Philly Cup Skateboard Series Finale (October 3)
• Apple-Pressing on Forbidden Drive (October 3)
• Pennypack Environmental Center Fall Festival & Arts & Craft Show (October 3)
• Canoemobile (October 5-7)
• Applefest at Fox Chase Farm (October 17)
• Halloween Campfire at Pennypack Environmental Center (October 23)
• Into the Parks Program (October 2015-June 2016)

Learn more about these Outdoor Experience Program activities

2nd Annual Greenway 5K Run/Walk

Come support your local trail system in Northeast Philadelphia! The 2nd Annual Greenway 5K Run/Walk starts at Pulaski Park on Sunday, October 11. Presented by AT&T, the proceeds will benefit DRCC -- a non-profit working with the City of Philadelphia to build a recreational trail in the city’s Northeast area as part of the “East Coast Greenway,” which will extend from Maine to Florida.

Register for the Greenway 5K Run/Walk

1025 Mifflin Street Updates

On September 17, staff from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s TreeKeepers program, Stewardship Unit and Operations Unit spent three hours elevating trees, removing bushes and weeds, and clearing debris from the facility at 1025 Mifflin Street. A “Before” shot is above, and an “After” photo of the same corner is below.

On September 23, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation hosted a community meeting at the building formerly known as Tolentine Community Center to get input about PPR’s new program initiatives at 1025 Mifflin Street. That meeting will be followed by a September 29 information session at 7 p.m., with community members interested in joining the recreation facility’s Advisory Council.

After school programming at 1025 Mifflin Street will begin on Monday, October 19. Parents can register their children by calling John Medica at 215-685-1883.

PPR is fully committed to the continuation of programs at the center, and looks forward to working with all the community in this endeavor.

Registration for Fall 2015 Yard Tree Giveaways Is Open!

Philadelphia is transforming into the City of Arborly Love, one tree at a time! Thanks to TreePhilly, a program of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Fairmount Park Conservancy, property owners can join the movement by picking up a free tree to plant in their yard this fall. Register online or over the phone and choose between a variety of trees, including fruit trees! Free mulch and planting and care demonstrations will be available at each event.

Giveaways are October 10 through November 14.

Register today at TreePhilly.org or call us at 215-683-0217.

Reminder: Community Fishing Days at the Fish Hatchery

Saturdays through November 14, 2015

Pleasant Hill Park (8900 Delaware Avenue)

PPR's Stewardship Division is proud to host Community Fishing Days at Pleasant Hill Park for kids under 16 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Rods, bait and basic instruction provided. This Saturday program is FREE, and it’s First Come, First Fish!

Please cast your line and spread the word! Download the Community Fishing Days flyer.

Senior Strut

Sunday, August 30, 9 a.m.

On October 9, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, and the Fairmount Park Conservancy present Senior Strut, a one-mile walk and health event along Kelly Drive. Participants must be age 60 or older.

Download the Senior Strut flyer to learn more.

PurpleStride Philadelphia 5K Run/Walk

November 7

Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park

A run/family-friendly walk to benefit Pancreatic Cancer. Please register or donate at www.purplestride.org/philadelphia. Any questions or information, contact Bruce Platt at Russo Park (215-685-8747).

PPR District 7 (South Philly) News

• Rizzo Rink will host the Fall Skateboard Clinic as part of the Outdoor Experience Program. The clinic is free for both boys and girls from ages 6-12. It is held on Tuesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. through November 24, 2015. No experience or equipment is needed. Skateboards and helmets provided. The instructor is skateboarding legend A.J. Kohn!


• On September 18, the statue of WWII Band of Brothers Hero Edward James "Babe" Heffron was unveiled in a dedication ceremony at Herron Playground at 2nd and Reed Streets. Heffron's statue is a life-size replica of the Port Richmond resident.

Save the Date: LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day

Please save Saturday, November 14 for the LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day! This year’s signature site will be Mifflin Square Park, though volunteers are needed at parks throughout Philadelphia. Visit http://loveyourpark.org/ for more details as they become available.

Summer Programs by the Numbers

The numbers are in! Here’s the impact PPR’s programs made this summer:

• 828,191 people visited PPR’s 70 outdoor pools and 5 indoor pools between June 19 and August 21
• Swim lessons were provided to 14,950 youth (not unique participants)
• 7,641 campers enrolled at 130 Neighborhood Day Camps
• Total number of meals provided in summer 2015 (includes breakfast, lunch and snacks): 2,820,505
• 1,550 teens between the ages of 14 and 18 hired by PPR through the Philadelphia Youth Network to work at Neighborhood Day Camps
• 1,083 additional individuals hired at pools (as lifeguards and pool maintenance attendants) and day camps

Download the full Summer Programs Overview report for more numbers

Top Social Media Posts

With our busy summer nearing an end, social media continued to be abuzz with activity! According to the numbers, our followers were thrilled to be informed about our summer programs such as camps, festivals, and partnered events. With so much going on throughout the city, it was interesting to see which events and updates truly resonated with our followers.

Download our Top Social Media Posts report and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Civil Service Opportunity: Heavy Equipment Operator 1

Close Date: 9/25/2015

This is skilled heavy-duty vehicle operations work, involving such equipment as earthmoving and roadbuilding vehicles, small mobile equipment with crane attachments of limited flexibility, or compactors with multiple axles or high density.

Work is distinguished from the lower-level equipment operations classes by complexity of operator functions performed, which require a substantial degree of coordination. Work may include light or heavy physical labor when not operating equipment or driving it to and from the work site. Work is performed under the supervision of crew chief or supervisor.

Learn more about this opportunity

Visual Arts News

Visual Arts Camp Art Show

On August 20, over 150 people attended PPR's 2015 Summer Art Camp Art Show. The show highlighted work completed over the 6-week camp at Wissinoming Park. Each camper received a certificate for his/her work, and select artists were recognized for excellence in the fields of Painting & Drawing, Sculpture, Printmaking, and Photography.

Upcoming Visual Arts Contests

Celebrate Your Heritage Art Contest: Due to Visual Arts Office by September 25; on display at 1515 beginning October 1.

Fall Decorations Contests: District entries called into Visual Arts Office by October 14.

Oh, How Our Garden Grows

The American Legion Playground is happy to have joined the Junior Farmers Program. With assistance from PowerCorps PHL and Mr. Dave from FarmPhilly, the After School Program cleared out the vacant lot across the street from the playground and planted various vegetables and flowers in spring 2015. After School Program children then tended and watered the plants every day. When the After School Program ended for the year, the American Legion Summer Camp participants resumed the responsibility. At present, there are sunflowers, cucumbers, kale, eggplant, marigolds, and zucchini growing and ready to be harvested.  The neighbors were so impressed with what the children had done that they began to help out on the weekends when the children weren't there, watering and tending to the plants. The children are thrilled to see what their hard work and devotion to the garden has accomplished!

Ralph Brooks Playground Ribbon Cutting

On August 31, Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, Philadelphia Eagle Connor Barwin, members of the philanthropic organization Urban Roots, and community partners gathered to participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony for a renovation project at Ralph Brooks Playground, located at 20th and Tasker Streets. Led by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Philadelphia Water, the total cost of the project was approximately $450,000.

Renovations included improvements to stormwater management infrastructure and playground equipment. The stormwater features include a rain garden at the southern end of the playground, and an underground storage trench along its western side. A new tot lot play area, a new mural and community garden were installed and the basketball courts repaved.

Continue reading about the improvements to Ralph Brooks Tot Lot

PPR Clusters Update

Over the past year, 11 Clusters have been working on a new initiative to provide more and better programming opportunities for youth and families in neighborhoods throughout the city. By working together, staff are able to better utilize their existing programming strengths, the amenities at their facilities and their capacity to form community partnerships so that, whether a family’s local PPR facility is a one-room playground or a two-story recreation center, they have access to the same robust menu and quality of programming.

The 11 Clusters, comprised of 33 Rec Centers and Playgrounds, 11 parks and a handful of specialty facilities, made some important first steps toward working together over the last year. A variety of new programming and events grew out of their monthly staff meetings and efforts to share staffing and facility resources.

Continue reading about PPR Clusters accomplishments and plans

PPR Night at the Phillies

On August 24, over 120 PPR employees and their family and friends enjoyed a night at Citizens Bank Park at the annual PPR Night at the Phillies.  A good time was had by all, especially by a few PPR employees who happen to be Mets fans!

4th Annual Boxers’ Trail 5K

On a cool Saturday morning in East Fairmount Park, 115 individuals pinned numbers to their chests, warmed up their muscles, and gathered at the starting line to kick off the 4th Annual Boxers’ Trail 5K Run/Walk on September 12. Starting at Mander Playground, the friendly 5K weaves a path through East Fairmount Park and leads runners and walkers down the historic Boxers’ Trail, which sits prominently above the Schuylkill River. Looping back on the trail, participants pass by Laurel Hill Mansion as they make their way down the final stretch to Mander Playground for a victorious finish.

The Boxers’ Trail 5K was first conceived to highlight the underutilized resources of East Fairmount Park, such as meadows, mansions, and specifically trails, that are available and accessible to Philadelphia communities. Most famously known as where Muhammad Ali came to find Joe Frazier to challenge him to the “Fight of the Century,” Boxers’ Trail has long been used as a training ground for local athletes looking to hone their skills and athletic stamina, and is still used by surrounding recreation centers and boxing gyms to this day. However, having undergone a complete restoration in the early 2000s, the trail now connects the historic Smith Memorial Playground and historic mansions of East Fairmount Park to the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, encouraging a new and diverse group of park-goers to enjoy the sights and sounds of the trail, while connecting with the park on a different level.

Continue reading about the 4th Annual Boxers’ Trail 5K Run/Walk

Photo: First Female Competitor in 2015 Philly Cup

On August 29 at Carmella Playground, the Philly Cup Skateboard Series had its first female participant. Her older brother who competes helped her out when needed.  It was great to see!

Save the Date: GLOW in the Park

Tickets for the Fairmount Park Conservancy’s GLOW in the Park 2015 are on sale now! The annual event will take place at the Smith Memorial Arch in West Fairmount Park on Thursday, October 22 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Purchase GLOW in the Park tickets.

REACH Student of the Week at Roosevelt Playground

The After School program at Roosevelt Playground has started our new Student of the Week award. Recipients are chosen based on their progress towards meeting REACH goals: improving relations with peers and relations with adults. Each winner receives a framed certificate and $10 gift card. The initiative is sponsored by employeeRECESS.com.

Our first winner is Matthew Mock, third grade at Lawton Elementary School (posing above with his mother Melanie). Congratulations, Matt!

PPR Wedding

Congrats to Andy Viren, Programs Analyst, who married Lindsay Rogers on September 13!
Have an exciting achievement to share? Please email parksandrecreation@phila.gov

CATERPILLARS... Whoops... BUTTERFLIES at Waterview!

Using some money from a small grant our Garden Club received from Weaver’s Way Co-op in Mt. Airy for environmental and garden programs in the Northwest area, twelve Painted Lady Butterfly caterpillars made their home at Waterview Recreation Center for about one month.  On the Thursday before Memorial Day we received two cups, each with 6 caterpillars and prepared food by express mail from the science supply company, Carolina Biological.  Each insect was about ¾ inch in length.  The kids marvelled that 3 days later (over a long weekend) they had doubled in size!  By the end of week one, they were climbing to the cup lid and hung in the J shape that indicates the next step in their metamorphosis is about to happen. 

After the 2nd weekend we came in and discovered most of them were now chrysalises.  A few days later, each chrysalis was hung in the butterfly habitat that came with the kit.  By the end of that week, the first of our butterflies emerged! 

Continue reading about Painted Lady Butterflies at Waterview Recreation Center

TOP

Philly Fun Fishing Fest a Huge Success!

On September 12, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation partnered with Philadelphia Water to host the 11th Annual Philly Fun Fishing Fest! Located on the Schuylkill River near the Walnut Street Bridge, this event featured 111 registered anglers who caught 239 fish representing 6 species (channel catfish, flathead catfish, striped bass, bluegill, American eel, and white perch). The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission provided free rental rods where needed, the Schuylkill River Development Corporation lent manpower and a clean riverbank, and generous door prizes and awards were provided by Plano Tackle and Dick's Sporting Goods. Also, Wahoo Tacos fed everyone free of charge! It was a great family event, arguably the best Fest yet! We all look forward to next year!

In Memoriam

On August 20, the Fitzpatrick Afterschool Program lost a great person. Sheryl Rotkis, one of Fitzpatrick's Afterschool RSIs, passed away at the age of 56 after a brief illness. Sheryl was dependable, hardworking, and trustworthy. She cared deeply for the children, and they in return loved her back. When talking to her daughter and granddaughter, they said all she wanted to do was come back to work. The Afterschool Program will go on but it won't be the same without her.

We love and miss you Sheryl. R.I.P.

Photo: Local Football Player Signs with Florida State

On September 1, tight end Naseir Upshur held a press conference at Lonnie Young Recreation Center to announce he was signing with Florida State. Upshur played football at Lonnie Young for the Northwest Raiders and Imhotep Institute.  

Summer with the Junior Farmers

As one of the Junior Farmer Garden Educators, I lead garden lessons and activities with kids at five recreation centers: Francisville, Tustin, Francis Myers, Papa Playground, and James Finnegan. During summer camp, the Junior Farmers at each of our gardens worked hard, had fun and tried many new things.

At James Finnegan Playground we were able to build a large flower-shaped garden in the ground. This meant each day there was plenty to do just taking care of the garden. There was watering, harvesting and eating, but we also found time to learn about plants, soil, nutrition and insects. The Junior Farmers participated in a relay race outlining the steps of plant growth. They mastered flashcards about beneficial garden insects and harmful pests. We talked about the different parts of a plant and made smoothies with our harvest. We learned about the benefits fruits and veggies have on different parts of the body through drawing pictures. At the end of summer we had a big garden party with salsa, pesto and salad all made from the garden. For dessert we had plenty of our fresh watermelons and cantaloupes! What a successful summer for the Junior Farmers, and we’re now sowing seeds for our fall crops!

New Public Artwork by Mark Stockton at Marian Anderson Recreation Center

The Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy’s Percent for Art Program and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation are pleased to announce the approval of a new site-specific public art commission by Mark Stockton at Marian Anderson Recreation Center.

Through a partnership with Major League Baseball and the Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will create the Urban Youth Academy (UYA) at Marian Anderson Recreation Center. The UYA will be a new single-story, steel-framed 7,300 square foot facility which will be added to the existing recreation center structure. UYA’s mission is to use baseball as a means of instruction and education in urban environments in order to enhance the quality of life in the surrounding communities. The UYA is the second of two sites (the other being four outdoor fields at FDR Park), which together will provide free year-round instruction to over 8,000 Philadelphia youths. $11,000 was allocated for the Percent for Art component, which is scheduled to be installed in spring 2016. Additional design support for this project is being provided by EwingCole, the project's design team.

Continue reading about Mark Stockton’s artwork at Marian Anderson Rec Center

Video: Jazz Age on the Delaware

Didn’t make it to Glen Foerd’s First Annual Jazz Age on the Delaware event in August? Check out what you missed and save the date for next year’s event!

"Where Are They Now?": Kara McDonald

Say hello to Kara McDonald. Kara is the daughter of the late James McDonald, a longtime District Manager with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. She also was a Water Safety Instructor for several years (1993-1997) after doing summers as a lifeguard. As an alumna of the department, Kara always is proud to wear a shirt or hat to represent her playground heritage. After she left PPR, Kara first moved to Massachusetts, and then San Francisco, CA, working in the computer industry. She later joined the Army and rose to the rank of Sergeant. She spent time in Texas and Washington state while stateside. Today, Kara works in the healthcare field, and has returned to the City of Brotherly Love. She looks forward to seeing many friends that she has not seen for some time, and she will always cherish her time in Philadelphia Parks & Recreation!

Congratulations, Barb McCabe!

On September 11, the Friends of Penn Treaty Park presented Barbara McCabe, Director of Stewardship, the Chief Tamanend Award at its Champagne in the Park celebration. Other honorees of the evening included volunteers Theresa Alicea, Kristine Kennedy and Neil Brecher, as well as Sandy Salzman, Executive Director of the New Kensington CDC.

Waterloo Playground Design Competition

The Community Design Collaborative and Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children are hosting an interdisciplinary design competition promoting innovative outdoor play spaces for Philadelphia and other cities. They’re inviting teams to create plans for an outdoor play space at one of the three locations—a public school, a library, and a recreation center.

Although this is strictly a design competition unless funds are identified, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is excited to participate!

Learn more about the Design Competition

July/August Pennypack Park Restoration Projects

July was a typical summer month; hot! But that didn't deter a handful of dedicated volunteers-- Cindy, Karen, Roland, Stan, Steve and myself-- from coming out to create a frog pond from an existing natural spring that Roland knew about just north of the upper Rhawn Street bridge near Lexington.

Luckily there was already a depression in the soil where we wanted the pond. We deepened the depression where needed, dug channels to connect the spring to the pond site, and hauled rocks of all sizes to build the dam we fashioned from bamboo and packed mud. That would not just hold the water in but still allow the spring to flow into the creek. We could see the pond forming as we dug and put the finishing touches on the dam. Afterwards, we enjoyed homemade brownies while relaxing from a job well done! Now let’s hope the frogs think so too and will use the pond to raise the next generation.

Continue reading about July/August restoration projects in Pennypack Park

Video: Bridesburg Summer Camp Finale

See how Bridesburg Recreation Center wrapped up its Summer Day Camp.

Find Your Path to Burholme Golf & Family Entertainment Center

Ask anyone in the surrounding neighborhood and they’ll tell you that the Burholme Golf Center is a neighborhood landmark. Originally built as a golf range, Burholme Golf Center quickly became a staple of the community for fun, family entertainment with the addition of a miniature golf course and batting cages, offering a little bit of something for everyone.  Yet after decades of daily wear and tear, the center had lost the original luster that had drawn in customers from near and far. In 2012, Ken Sim and John Kirincich saw an opportunity to bring the center back to its original form, and create the ultimate destination for avid golfers, miniature golf aficionados, and families just looking to have fun.

Under the management of Sim and Kirincich, the center underwent thorough renovation, restoring the driving range, miniature golf course, and batting cages to their former glory, as well as adding further amenities such as a café and interactive game room. The newly renamed Burholme Golf & Family Entertainment Center quickly reestablished itself as a neighborhood favorite and offers unique & fun experiences at low prices that has started to draw customers from throughout the Philadelphia region.

Continue reading about Burholme Golf

Parks and Recreation Commission "Pitch Your Passion" Finalists Making Progress

The finalists in the Commission's campaign to identify new and innovative activities for the parks and recreation system have completed their first round of meetings with Deputy Commissioner Mark Focht, PPR staff and Commission members. The Commission, through a Facebook initiative, uncovered citizen-inspired ideas for adding new features to the parks and recreation system. Two finalists were identified: the establishment of a public beach volleyball court and the development of a course for a bocce-like game called "Philly Stones" www.phillystones.com. Leaders for both initiatives are reviewing site options provided by PPR. Follow up meetings are set for October. You can follow their progress on www.facebook.com/PitchYourPassionPhilly.

Energy-saving Tip

When the fan blades rotate in “winter mode,” (i.e. clockwise) the fan draws air up instead of down. This mixes warm and cold air in the room to keep an even, warmer, temperature.

Need a Number? Check PPRInfo.com

PPR’s internal website, www.pprinfo.com, has contact information for PPR facilities, program, operations and regional managers, Park Rangers, Skilled Trades staff, and more!