OCTOBER, 2016

Dear Staff:

It was great to see so many of you at the PPR Staff BBQ on September 9. The one upside to the oppressive heat is that we had plenty of volunteers to sit in the dunk tank, including Mayor Kenney who happily gave dozens of PPR staff members the chance to dunk him. Overall, the food was delicious, the field day and softball competition was fierce, and the company couldn’t be beat. I’m already looking forward to next year!

A big thanks goes out to the BBQ planning committee: AeLin Compton, Emma Schad, Jason Mifflin, Stephanie Gradel, Brian Sell, Steve Jacobs, Moria Miller, Lisa Summers, Meghan Geiser, Marc Wilken, Andrew Emma, Nicolas Esposito, Andy Viren, Katy Ament, Elisa Ruse-Esposito, Carolina Torres, and Alain Joinville. And the day wouldn’t have been half as amusing without the dynamic entertainment duo of Emcee John McBride and DJ Patty-Pat Kozlowski. Thanks, John and Patty-Pat!

A few hours after the PPR BBQ, we kicked off the Unity Cup with two games at Ramp Playground. Since then, nearly 30 games have been played around the city. The spirit and energy at these games is amazing, and I urge you to go to a game soon. You’ll be blown away by the professionalism of the tournament, thanks to a team of PPR and partner staff led by Bill Salvatore.

Finally, I hope your fall transitions have gone smoothly. Our After School and Tot Rec programs are back, TreePhilly has launched its Fall Yard Tree Giveaways, staff members are planning apple harvest and apple pressing events for October, and the Operations and Stewardship divisions are busy collaborating on LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day logistics like composting and trash removal. The forward momentum of this department is incredible!

As always, please accept my sincere thanks for the work you do every day.

Kathryn Ott Lovell

Philly Free Streets

Want to play, run, walk, and bike through car-free streets in Philadelphia? Thanks to Open Streets PHL and the City of Philadelphia, on Saturday, September 24 from 8am-1pm, you will have the opportunity to freely roam 10 miles of open streets, including portions of South Street, MLK Drive, and Fairmount Park. Philly Free Streets will be a day of free, family-friendly activities and performances to demonstrate the importance of healthy lifestyles and active transportation, while educating Philadelphians about the city’s lively cultures, public art, environment, and social services.

The car-free route will run along South Street from Front to the South Street Bridge. The route will then continue onto Philadelphia Parks & Recreation land, including the Schuylkill River Trail, connecting to MLK Drive, looping through West Fairmount Park, and ending at Falls Bridge. You can hop onto the route at any point of the 10-mile stretch to enjoy fun activities provided by more than 50 organizations, including boot camps, bike riding lessons, group rides and runs, music performances, mural mazes, and interactive educational games.

Continue reading about Philly Free Streets

Fairmount Park in a New Light Street Festival

Join us on September 24 from 5-10pm for a free street festival to celebrate the relighting of Boathouse Row! The festival, which is being held as a partnership between Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy, and Parks on Tap, will feature food trucks, drinks, music, and a never before seen light show.

Date: September 24

Time: Festival 5-10pm | Light Show at 7:30pm

Location: Martin Luther King Drive by the Fairmount Fish Ladder

Learn more about the Fairmount Park in a New Light Street Festival

Star Players Present: Music Man at Venice Island

On October 7-9 at 7pm, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s Star Players theatre troupe will perform Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man at Venice Island Performing Arts Center in Manayunk. Don’t miss out on the Star Players’ rendition of this classic, family-friendly musical! Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door and are good for any night. Advance tickets are available for purchase at Morris Estate Cultural Center or can be delivered to homes or businesses in Philadelphia for orders of four or more tickets. For tickets and information, email billarthur1010@yahoo.com or call 215-685-2891.

Learn more about Music Man at Venice Island

Roots2Rise Yoga Coming to You

This fall, Roots2Rise is partnering with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to bring yoga programming to nine recreation centers throughout Philadelphia. Roots2Rise is an organization that aims to make yoga available to communities that traditionally haven’t had access to wellness programming, offering yoga classes at prisons, parks, recreation centers, homeless shelters, and half-way houses.

All weekly classes are $5, with the proceeds benefitting individuals who are unable to afford a yoga class. Roots2Rise is open to all levels; they welcome beginners and advanced students, ages 15 and older, to participate in their classes. If you do not own a yoga mat, or forget to bring one, participating locations will have mats available for you to borrow. 

Continue reading about Roots2Rise and view a list of classes

TreePhilly Fall Yard Tree Giveaways

Registration is now open for TreePhilly's Fall Yard Tree Giveaways! Philadelphia residents can receive up to two free trees to plant in their yards this fall. Don't let the cooler weather deter you—fall is actually the best time of year to plant a tree! TreePhilly offers a variety of species each season, ranging from large shade trees to small fruit and flowering trees. To register to participate in a giveaway event and to see a listing of available trees, visit treephilly.org.

Take a Child Outside Week

September 24 through September 30 is Take a Child Outside Week! Join this national movement that encourages children and adults to explore the outdoors. Check out our top ten ways for you to celebrate Take a Child Outside Week in Philadelphia, including exploring the Wissahickon Valley, riding the Philly Pumptrack, going on a free bird walk in Tacony Creek Park, and spending the day in FDR Park!

Explore the full list of Take a Child Outside Week activities

Senior Strut: A Health Event in the Park

Seniors are invited to join in the fun at this year’s “Senior Strut” health event on Friday, October 14 from 9:30am to 12:00pm. Following a musical send-off by a Mummers String Band, seniors will walk for health and enjoyment in a one-mile loop down scenic Boathouse Row along Kelly Drive. After the walk, participants will return to their starting point at Lloyd Hall for a health and information fair with free health screenings and enjoy fitness and entertainment activities led from a demonstration stage. The event will feature a special appearance by Harold Carmichael, former Eagles wide receiver and Pro-Football Hall of Famer, and music by DJ Patty Pat.

Participants will receive free t-shirts and a healthy snack. Tickets are $5 each and should be purchased by September 30. The Senior Strut, now in its fourth year, is presented by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in partnership with Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. Call 215-765-9000, ext. 5055 or click here to purchase tickets.

Learn more about the Senior Strut health event

Woodford Mansion Community Apple Festival

On Saturday, October 15 from 12 to 2pm, visit East Fairmount Park’s Woodford Mansion and East Park Revitalization Alliance (EPRA)’s Orchard to take part in the 8th Annual Community Apple Festival! The day’s festivities will include cider making, apple tasting, a blacksmithing demonstration by Stuart the blacksmith​, an apple dessert contest (bring your own), pumpkin painting, visits to the orchard’s beehives, refreshments, and tours of the mansion and orchard. The event is sponsored by Naomi Wood Trust at Woodford, EPRA, and the Philadelphia Orchard Project.

Learn more about the Woodford Mansion Community Apple Festival

Arts and Artists Outdoors 2016-2017

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Mural Arts Program will partner this school year for the 5th season of Arts and Artists Outdoors (A2O). This dynamic, free after school program is open to students ages 10-14. The program matches professional artists in residency with PPR facilities. Students in the program learn art techniques to create a lasting piece of artwork inspired by outdoor space and nature. The program will be at five sites for the 2016-2017 season, which begins the week of October 3: Francisville Playground, Lee Cultural Center, Mander Playground, Vare Recreation Center, and Wright Recreation Center.  Applications for the program are available at www.philavisualarts.com.

Check out the Unity Cup!

The inaugural Philadelphia International Unity Cup presented by Goya, a soccer tournament that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the “City of Brotherly Love,” kicked off September 9 with a double header that would make even the World Cup jealous! More than 200 people, including Mayor Kenney, came from all over the city to cheer on their respective teams. Ramp Playground hosted the opening ceremony and the first two match-ups of the tournament.

Mexico handed Vietnam its first loss, with a final score of 7-0. Game two saw the red, white, and blue of the United States taking the field against team Ireland. At the end of this superbly played game, there would be no luck of the Irish, as the United States claimed a 4-3 victory.

The matches between teams representing 32 different countries around the world take place throughout Philadelphia and are FREE for spectators. View a full schedule of Unity Cup games and save the date of November 5—the championship at Citizens Bank Park!

Reminder: Parks on Tap Traveling Beer Garden

Only two weeks remain in this year’s Parks on Tap program, which is bringing a mobile beer garden from park to park for 14 weeks this summer and fall. Launched this year, Parks on Tap is a partnership between PPR, Fairmount Park Conservancy, and Avram Hornik of FCM Hospitality.

The beer garden spends several days in each park location, highlighting and enhancing the offerings that Philadelphia City parks provide, before moving to the next location. It aims for a simple aesthetic: well-kept outdoor spaces where friends and families can meet up to enjoy food, drinks, and fun surrounded by nature. Be sure to make it out to the two remaining Parks on Tap locations (Powers Park and Lemon Hill Mansion) before the season ends!

Learn more about Parks on Tap and view the schedule

After School and Tot Rec Programs Begin

September 12 marked the beginning of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR)’s 2016-2017 After School and Tot Recreation Programs at recreational facilities throughout Philadelphia. This school year, 29 PPR facilities will be offering Tot Recreation Programs for children ages 3-5. Additionally, 85 After School sites will run After School Programs, including three new sites at Barrett, Hawthorne, and Smith Playgrounds.

We are looking forward to a great 2016-2017 school year for the After School and Tot Recreation Programs!

Continue reading about the start of the After School and Tot Recreation Programs

Find a facility near your home or school that offers After School/Tot Rec Programs

Applefest at Fox Chase Farm

Nestled on the border of Northeast Philadelphia and Montgomery County is historic Fox Chase Farm, an educational and fully-equipped working farm built in 1822. An oasis of large green fields in a big, bustling city, the farm provides a quiet, relaxing, and memorable experience to Philadelphians of all ages.

Come autumn, cooler temperatures, vibrant foliage and crisp air falls on the city of Philadelphia and creates the perfect setting for one of the year’s most popular family-friendly events at Fox Chase Farm: Applefest. Held every October, this day-long celebration provides visitors with opportunities to enjoy tasty seasonal food, live music and entertainment, pumpkin painting, apple cider pressing, candle dipping, apple butter making, potato sack races, hayrides, a petting zoo, fall-themed arts and crafts, treats and trinkets from local vendors and crafters, and of course, plenty of pumpkins and apple cider for sale. Don’t miss out on this year’s Applefest celebration, which will take place on Saturday, October 15 from 12-4pm!

Continue reading about Fox Chase Farm and the Applefest celebration

City Employee Art Competition and Exhibit

Registration is now open for the City employees’ art competition and exhibit! The Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, in collaboration with the National Arts Program Foundation, has issued a call for artists for the 17th National Arts Program Exhibit in Philadelphia. Each participant can submit up to two pieces. There are five classifications for judging: amateur, intermediate, professional, youth under 12, and teens ages 13-19. The deadline for art delivery to City Hall is November 18 at 4pm.

The exhibit will run from December 14 to February 17. An awards presentation and reception is scheduled for December 14 from 5-7pm. For more information, email Tu.Huynh@phila.gov.

Register online for the National Arts Program Exhibit in Philadelphia

Save the Date: LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day

Save the date and add the LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day on Saturday, November 12 to your calendar! Join your friends and neighbors as over 2,000 volunteers work to rake leaves, mulch trees, and clean up trash and litter to help prepare our parks for the winter season. This one-day citywide event, which is held at 100 neighborhood parks across Philadelphia, offers an opportunity to celebrate and steward Philadelphia’s public green spaces.

Volunteer registration will open and a list of participating parks will be posted in mid-October. You can register to participate as an individual, a family, or a group. For more information or with questions, email loveyourpark@gmail.com or call 215-988-9334.

Learn more about LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day

Available Jobs

Open-competitive, close date of 09/23/2016

Grounds and Facilities Maintenance Worker 1 (Green Stormwater Infrastructure)

This is routine manual work for the Department of Parks and Recreation or the Philadelphia Water Department. Employees in this class perform work in one of two specialty areas: Grounds and Facilities or Green Stormwater Infrastructure. Employees in the Grounds and Facilities specialty are responsible for the maintenance and care of parks and recreation department facilities and grounds which includes maintaining facility cleanliness, performing grounds maintenance, performing minor repair work, and assisting skilled trades workers in the performance of minor work orders. Employees in the Green Stormwater Infrastructure specialty are responsible for the maintenance of green stormwater assets including removal of accumulated sediment and perform structural repairs, erosion control, and other corrective needs. Employees use manual and power tools and learn to maintain power tools and equipment. Work is performed under the supervision of a crew chief, district caretaker supervisor, engineer, or scientist. Work involves strenuous physical effort and exposure to unfavorable conditions.

Continue reading about the Grounds and Facilities Maintenance Worker 1 position

Recreation Outreach Worker (General)

This is parks and/or recreation work recruiting community volunteers, participants, businesses, and institutions to participate in the administration of recreation programs in designated areas of the city or of special events held in Fairmount Park. Employees in the park environmental services specialty perform work specifically for volunteer groups engaged in sustaining and restoring natural environmental areas and parks within the city. Working closely with all segments of the community and motivating active involvement among participants are significant aspects of the work. Duties require scheduled evening and weekend work. An employee in this class functions under the general supervision of a recreation or park supervisor.

Continue reading about the Recreation Outreach Worker (General) position

Top PPR Running Trails

Fall has finally arrived, and you know what that means — the days are cooler and less humid, and the weather is perfect for exercising outdoors. To celebrate the start of fall and all that the City’s parks have to offer for trail lovers, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is highlighting the top running trails within our parks. Take a break from the pavement and add some of our scenic, local trails to your list of running routes this fall, or hit the trail to enjoy a hike, walk, or bike ride!

Continue reading about PPR running trails

PPR’s Nic Esposito Wins SustainPHL Unsung Hero Award

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Sustainable Practices and Operational Standards Manager Nic Esposito was awarded the Unsung Hero Award at the first SustainPHL Awards on August 18. The SustainPHL Awards celebrate leaders who are working hard to make their communities more sustainable, and the Unsung Hero category honors those making a substantive yet largely unrecognized contribution to sustainability in their communities, usually refraining from claiming too much in return for his or her efforts.

At PPR, Nic works to make the department’s operations, parks, and facilities more sustainable, implementing initiatives including energy efficiency, sustainable land care, and recycling projects. He is also very involved in Philadelphia’s urban farming community. Congratulations to Nic on this honor, and thank you for your efforts to make PPR and the city of Philadelphia more sustainable!

Mayor Kenney Signs ‘Inclusive Parks and Playgrounds’ Bill

On August 24, Mayor Jim Kenney was joined by PPR Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, Councilwoman Cindy Bass, and City of Philadelphia Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis at Wister Playground in Germantown as he signed the ‘Inclusive Parks and Playgrounds’ bill into law. Created by Councilwoman Bass, the legislation ensures all parks or playgrounds managed by the City, especially those that will be re-designed or renovated in the future, are inclusive, inter-generational, and family-friendly. The law requires that any park undergoing renovations must include play areas for children with special needs. Fitness equipment will also be required to accommodate adults with varying fitness levels and disabilities.

The City of Philadelphia will soon be investing $300 million in parks and recreation centers across the city through the Rebuild initiative, and this bill will help to ensure that investment creates parks and recreation facilities that are accessible for all.

Read more about the ‘Inclusive Parks & Playgrounds' Bill

Philadelphia Marathon

Registration for the 2016 Philadelphia Marathon, Half Marathon, Rothman Institute 5K, and Kids Fun Run is now open! This year’s Philadelphia Marathon race weekend will take place November 18-20, with the half marathon, 8K, and kids fun run taking place on Saturday, November 19 and the marathon on Sunday, November 20.

The Philadelphia Marathon course is consistently listed among the top ten courses in the country. The route is recognized for its flat terrain, mellow weather, and tens of thousands of spirited fans. Runners can expect beautiful views through Fairmount Park and along the Schuylkill River and neighborhood crowds gathering on sidewalks in University City and Manayunk. PPR and the Philadelphia Office of the City Representative partner to produce Philadelphia Marathon weekend.

Learn more about Philadelphia Marathon race weekend and register to participate

PPR Night at the Phillies

On August 30, PPR staff enjoyed a night of baseball fun watching the Phillies play the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Thanks to Barry Bessler for organizing this event. A great time was had by all who attended!

Boxers’ Trail 5K and Strawberry Mansion Day

Thank you to all who participated in this year’s Boxers’ Trail 5K Run/Walk, which took place on Saturday, September 10 in East Fairmount Park. The proceeds of the race benefit Mander Recreation Center in North Philadelphia. Despite the heat, we had our largest turn out for the 5K to date with 233 participants. Strawberry Mansion Community Day followed the race and featured a celebration of the new sprayground at Mander Playground, a parade with Grand Marshall Ukee Washington of CBS 3, a talent showcase, live music, food, and more!

View photos from the Boxers’ Trail 5K Walk/Run and Strawberry Mansion Day

Summer 2016 Pool Season by the Numbers

This summer, PPR's public pools were attended almost a million times! Philadelphia’s 74 free and easily accessible public pools offer locals perfect opportunities to cool off and have fun throughout the summer. Additionally, PPR introduced a new program, Swim Philly, at five neighborhood pools. This summer, Swim Philly brought fun fitness programming, special events for all ages, comfortable and vibrant seating and lounges, plants, decorations, and more to O'Connor, Lawncrest, Lee, Pleasant, and Francisville. Thanks, everyone, for a great pool season!

View the new Summer 2016 Pool Season by the Numbers infographic

PowerCorpsPHL Projects by the Numbers

PowerCorpsPHL is a workforce development AmeriCorps program partnered with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Philadelphia Water. PowerCorpsPHL members serve in the field performing environmental stewardship through land revitalization, standards projects at recreation centers, and Green Stormwater Infrastructure maintenance throughout Philadelphia. To date in 2016, PowerCorpsPHL members achieved the following through their projects:

• Restored a whopping 898 acres of public land in the City of Philadelphia (an area larger than the size of Central Park)
• Planted 999 new trees and plants
• Restored 944 existing trees from vines and invasive species
• Engaged 183 volunteers from the community
• Collected a total of 272,309 pounds of waste, diverting 202,820 pounds of that waste from the landfill, meaning that 74% of the waste that was collected by PowerCorpsPHL members was recycled

These statistics prove the hard work of PowerCorpsPHL members and their dedication to their community.

Learn more about PowerCorpsPHL

PPR Staff BBQ Photos and Winners

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the PPR Staff BBQ on September 9! To relive the fun or see what you missed, view pictures from the 2016 BBQ.

A big congrats goes out to all of our winners from the competitions throughout the day:

Field Day Winners: Team Gray

• Carnell Wilder (Operations District 5)
• Sofia Guernica (Sustainable Practices & Operational Standards)
• Barb McCabe (Strategic Engagement)
• Aineias Clanton (TreeKeepers)
• Rakeem Brown (Rangers)

Dunk Tank Winner: Raymond Bevenour, Recycling Center, who had the first dunk on Mayor Kenney

Softball Winners: John Kirchenbauer (Program), Gina Batavick (Program), Tykee James (Environmental Education), George Kilcullen (Program), Kenny Crawford (Program), Calvin Nixon (TreeKeepers), Brian Sell (Program), Orlando Rendon (Program), and Vinny Ward (Program)

PPR Awarded Dr Pepper Snapple Group/Keep America Beautiful Grant to Bring Recycling to Northwest Philadelphia Parks

Residents visiting Northwest Philadelphia should expect to see cleaner public parks this fall thanks to a significant grant made possible by Dr Pepper Snapple Group in collaboration with Keep America Beautiful. The grant provided a total of 30 new metal recycling bins, which will be placed in parks throughout the northwest section of Philadelphia through a new Philadelphia Parks & Recreation District 4 Recycling Program. The Philadelphia Office of Sustainability has also provided funds for another 100 plastic recycling bins that will be placed in District 4. New bins will be placed at all 22 PPR facilities in the Northwest District when the recycling program is launched this fall.

Now in its fourth year, the Dr Pepper Snapple Group/Keep America Beautiful Park Recycling Bin Grant Program provided funding for 900 new recycling bins in public parks across the country in 2016, helping local governments and community organizations expand the availability of recycling in parks and natural areas.

Top Social Media Report

As summer winds down, PPR’s social media followers have shown interest in various subjects, including pool closing dates, summer camp recaps, Boxers' Trail registration, the extension of the Movies in the Park Program, the Philadelphia International Unity Cup and Parks on Tap events, such as Barks on Tap and the FDR Park Music Jam. Looking forward, we are preparing to switch gears and begin promoting fall events and programming. In the past month, we hit 5,000 followers on Instagram.

Download our Top Social Media Report to learn more

PPR at PARK(ing) Day in 2016

On Friday, September 16, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Fairmount Park Conservancy collaborated on a PARK(ing) Day space for the fourth year in a row. This year, the partners chose a bird theme and invited PPR Environmental Education Planner Tony Croasdale to lend his expertise, as well as specimens, from the Wissahickon Environmental Center to set up a space at 18th and Walnut Streets. Visitors stopped to learn about PARK(ing) day, what birds can be seen in the city, and the birding and environmental education activities offered by PPR’s environmental centers.

An annual, international event, PARK(ing) Day re-imagines the possibilities of 170 square feet of public space, celebrates parks and other public spaces in cities across the country, and raises awareness of the need for more pedestrian-friendly spaces in our urban areas.

Staff Profile: Park Ranger Supervisor Renee Adderly

Renee Adderly has worked with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation for a span of 21 years. She is currently the Park Ranger Supervisor for the Fairmount District, which encompasses Districts 5-8. This includes parts of West Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, through Center City, down to the Delaware River, and South Philadelphia. As a Park Ranger Supervisor, Renee manages a dynamic team of Park Rangers and Recreation Specialty Instructors (RSIs) to help protect and preserve our park resources. Although Renee is a Park Ranger Supervisor, she has no problem stepping into a Lead Ranger, Park Ranger, or RSI role if needed. Her team player attitude, dedication, and skills as a supervisor make her an incredibly valuable member of the PPR team. 

If you see Renee or any of the Park Rangers that she supervises the next time you’re out enjoying one of the city’s outdoor spaces, be sure to thank him or her for a job well done!

Read Renee’s full profile

Torresdale Boys Club Soccer Promotes Sportsmanship and Pride

Torresdale Boys Club soccer program serves boys and girls from age three through high school. There are currently 12 teams from the organization affiliated with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, which make up the majority of the program. They practice at Jacobs Playground in the Torresdale neighborhood and travel to various sections of the city to compete against other athletic organizations affiliated with the department.

This year, the first games were played on September 10 for the boys’ teams and on September 11 for girls. Jim Lee, who serves as vice president of the board, as soccer director, and as a soccer coach, hopes to get kids involved with soccer for many reasons. Sports like soccer, Lee says, enhance neighborhood pride, bring families closer together, encourage kids to get out of the house and exercise, and teach sportsmanship.

Continue reading about the Torresdale Boys Club soccer program

Summer Art Camp Art Show

The 43rd Summer Art Camp wrapped up on August 18 at Jardel Recreation Center with the annual art show and awards ceremony. Proud parents and family members attended the ceremony, where awards were given to campers who excelled in each discipline for each age group. Artwork from all campers was on display at the show. 

Thank you to all the campers, parents, and staff members of Art Camp and Wissinoming Park for their support and dedication!  Select artwork is on display at 1515 Arch on the 10th Floor for the month of September.

View photos from the Summer Art Camp Art Show and a list of award winners

Reflections on Farm Philly Junior Farmers

Allie Wilson has worked for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s Farm Philly program as a Northeast Garden Educator for the past two years. As a Garden Educator, she works to teach children the benefits of growing their own food and the rewards of tending to the natural environment through the Junior Farmers program, a Farm Philly initiative that establishes small youth gardens that incorporate not only growing vegetables, but also small orchards and pollinator gardens.

Working with Farm Philly for two years, she has gotten to know the kids who participate in the Junior Farmers program well. She gets especially happy when she sees program alumni come into the garden and share the knowledge of what they learned last year with the new kids.

Continue reading Allie’s reflection on the Junior Farmers program

Coltrane at 90: Jazz Walk in Fairmount Park

On Saturday, September 17, jazz lovers flocked to East Fairmount Park for the Jazz Walk, a one-day outdoor celebration to acknowledge pioneering American jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane’s 90th Birthday. The event, which was held by Philadelphia Jazz Project, featured six stations located around the East Park Reservoir with live music, information, and refreshments.

Philadelphia Jazz Project works to inspire a network to support, promote, archive, and celebrate the Philadelphia jazz community. The event, which marked the second year that the Jazz Walk has taken place in Fairmount Park, is part of a nine day series of free jazz performances in Philadelphia celebrating John Coltrane’s birthday, taking place from September 17-25.

Continue reading about the Jazz Walk and upcoming Philadelphia Jazz Project free music events

Meet Barbara Gillette, Director of Philadelphia’s Older Adult Services

Barbara Gillette has worked with the City of Philadelphia since 1997 as a social worker for the Department of Human Services. In January 2002, she began working at the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center as a social worker and later became the center’s director. After serving the members of South Philly’s Older Adult Center for 13 years, she transferred to Center Director for North Philly’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Older Adult Center in September 2015. In May, she was promoted to her current position as Director of Older Adult Services. 

Philadelphia’s six Older Adult Centers welcome individuals 55 years of age and older to partake in an array of recreational activities, educational workshops, social services, individual, group and supportive counseling, and cultural and social trips. As the new Director of Older Adult Centers, Barbara looks forward to redefining the stereotypes associated with older adults and the aging process.

Continue reading about Barbara Gillette and her new role

M Night Provides Fun and Culture to the Burholme Community

This summer, a new partnership was formed between PPR, Fairmount Park Conservancy, Burholme Family Fun Center, and the Friends and staff of Ryerss Museum & Library. This new initiative, called “M Night,” stands for Mini Golf, Museum, and Movie. On the last Friday of each month from June through October (with the exception of September), these organizations come together for a night of fun for all ages.

M Night’s main attraction is an outdoor screening of a family-friendly movie. So far, they have screened Minions, Inside Out and Zootopia. On October 28, M Night will culminate with a very special Halloween-themed evening. There will be a showing of Hotel Transylvania as well as spooky (yet family-friendly) tours of the museum before the movie. In addition to the movie, M Night consists of music, giveaways, refreshments for sale, $5 mini golf games at Burholme Family Fun Center, free general museum tours, and $5 tours of the Cupola—a part of Ryerss Museum that is typically off limits to the public. All money raised at M Night goes towards the restoration of the stained glass windows present in the cupola of the museum.

Read more about M Nights at Burholme

Looking Back: New Deal Work Relief Programs and Philadelphia’s Parks

As the City prepares to invest in its parks and recreation centers through the Rebuild initiative, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is looking back on the role that work relief programs have played in the history of Philadelphia’s public green spaces. During the 1930s and 1940s, manpower and funding provided through these programs led to expansive park improvements. While providing a source of income for the unemployed, New Deal work relief programs played a crucial role in the development of Philadelphia’s parks, and the legacy of these programs can still be experienced through trails, structures, and facilities in parks across the city today.

Continue reading about New Deal work relief programs and Philadelphia’s parks

Summer Strength-Based Leadership Teen Leaders Program at Vare Recreation Center Summer Camp

This summer, teens from across Philadelphia participated in Strength-Based (Trauma-Informed) Leadership Programs (SBTILP), a touring series of social skill programs that use the arts to build resiliency in children, youth, teens, and families. The Teen Leaders program teaches teens strength-based leadership practices, preparing them to create and deliver their own workshops to children in summer camps city-wide. One of this year’s Teen Leaders, Benesia Fischer, volunteered each Friday throughout the summer to mentor children from Vare Recreation Center in South Philadelphia’s summer camp as they visited Kimberton CSA, a ten acre biodynamic/organic mixed vegetable market garden in Kimberton, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

As the children picked fruits and vegetables, fed cows and calves, and learned about gardening from the Kimberton CSA farmers, Benesia worked with them to help them build social-emotional competencies by exploring how they are feeling, what their goals are, breathing and mindfulness practices, and creating an intentional, fun farm experience for the whole group.

Learn more about the Strength-Based Leadership Program

View a gallery of photos from Benesia’s visits with Vare Recreation Center summer campers to Kimberton CSA

Staff Changes

Promotions (All were promoted to Grounds Maintenance Worker 2):
Roy Carter
Terry Robinson
Brian Merrigan
John Watson
Kirk Starchia
Joseph Finnegan
Martin Graner
Alton Willoughby