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OCTOBER 2018

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Dear Staff:


It was great to see so many of you at the staff BBQ on September 7. Thanks to everyone who came out to Carousel House to catch up with colleagues, play some games, and enjoy lunch. Kudos to the planning committee who helped plan, set-up, and break-down the event. Additional thanks to the staff at the Carousel House for hosting us when inclement weather threatened our event.


We have more fun in store for you this fall – and this time you can bring your friends and family! We have several events in mind and we’d like your input. Please follow this link https://goo.gl/forms/P2fdhc80SS9znzAR2 and complete the survey by Friday, October 5 to let us know what type of fun staff event you'd be most interested in attending.


Finally, I want to encourage you to attend the Unity Cup’s Championship Day on Saturday, October 13. This year’s event will be held at Talen Energy Stadium and promises to be a fun day for the whole family, complete with sponsor giveaways, a naturalization ceremony, the Parade of Nations, and, of course, the big game itself. See the article below for more information.


Thank you, as always, for your dedicated service.


Kathryn Ott Lovell


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Fun Fall Events

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Looking for a flea market? Harvest festival? Pumpkin painting? Arts and crafts show? We’ve got it all! Check out the free or low-cost fall events happening at Parks & Rec sites across the city.


Also be sure to take a look at our list of apple festivals happening across the city.

 

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Discovery Center Opening

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The Discovery Center in Fairmount Park is a project of the National Audubon Society (Audubon Pennsylvania) and the Philadelphia Outward Bound School. The Center will allow the public to explore the East Park Reservoir — home to over 150 bird species. Opening celebrations include Discovery Day, Saturday, September 29. Explore the new building, join a bird walk, and enjoy live bird presentations. Read more about Discovery Day.

 

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Unity Cup Finale!

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The 2018 Unity Cup tournament has kept us on the edge of our seats, and we’re ready to finish the tournament with a bang! On Saturday, October 13, our final two teams will face off at Talen Energy Stadium. Join us for a day of free fun, celebrating soccer and Philadelphia’s diverse immigrant communities.


For more information on the Championship game, visit unitycup.phila.gov.

 

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TreePhilly Announces Expansion

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Parks & Rec’s TreePhilly program is growing! Read about how we’ll improve Philly’s environmental health over the next three years with a $1.125 million commitment from TD Bank.

Thanks TD Bank.

 

 

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New Monthly Volunteer Experiences

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Plant trees. Clean waterways. Explore Philly’s greenest spaces. Parks & Recreation has partnered with the Fairmount Park Conservancy to offer volunteer experiences on the second Saturday of each month. Read more about upcoming opportunities and register to volunteer.

 

 

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Seniors, Strut Your Stuff

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Each year, Parks & Rec partners with Philadelphia Corporation for Aging to sponsor the Senior Strut, a health event for seniors at Lloyd Hall in East Fairmount Park. This year’s event will take place on Friday, October 12 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The event features a one-mile kick-off walk led by the Mummers, health screenings, and more. Read more about the Senior Strut and purchase tickets.

 

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Rebuild Oversight Meeting

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The Rebuild Oversight Board's charge is to monitor Rebuild’s progress and make recommendations for the program’s implementation to ensure that Rebuild is achieving its goals. The board is made up of City officials, subject matter experts, and community leaders.


The public is welcome to attend the Oversight Board’s next meeting:
 
October 18
6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Shepard Recreation Center
5700 Haverford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131


Learn more about the Rebuild Oversight board.

 

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Save the Date! Love Your Park Fall Service Day

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Mayor Jim Kenney, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, and volunteers at work in Fisher Park.
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This year’s Love Your Park Fall Service Day is Saturday, November 10. Join over 2,500 volunteers to clean up litter and debris, care for trees, and more! Register to volunteer after October 10.

 

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Have You Seen This Bug?

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The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive insect that can damage and destroy trees. Over the summer, it was found at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center and in Wissahickon Valley Park. Learn how the SLF damages trees, and how you can help fight this pest.

 

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The Star Players Present “42nd Street”

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The Star Players of Parks & Recreation is a community-level theater group producing Broadway-quality shows. Established in 2013, the group is proud to present the musical “42nd Street” at the Venice Island Performing Arts Center. See the upcoming performance schedule and learn more about the show.

 

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Camp Philly: Big City Kids Meet the Great Outdoors

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Canoeing, swimming, singalongs, and campfires were some of the activities enjoyed by 180 Philadelphia youth who attended a week of overnight camp in August. Read more about Camp Philly and enjoy a poem inspired by one camper’s experience.

 


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Job Opportunities

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Parks & Recreation has seasonal positions available with our After School Program. Visit the Parks & Rec Employment page for details on this.

 


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Nature Notes: Hawk Sightings

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October is prime hawk-watching time. Did you know you can see a variety of hawks in Philadelphia? Read more about the best viewing spots, and a bird recorded here for the first time last

 

 

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Summer Interns Tackle a Big Problem

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The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is threatening to destroy more than 200,000+ ash trees in Philadelphia. Learn how four intrepid interns helped PPR protect some of these endangered trees.

 

 

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Glass Act: Ryerss Stained Glass Windows

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On August 17, Ryerss Museum & Library, located in Burholme Park, installed a restored stained glass window in the building’s cupola. Since 2013, the Friends of Ryerss have been fundraising to conserve and preserve the cupola windows. Read more about their efforts.

 

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Top Social Media Report

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From invasive turtles to art lessons on the move, here’s a look at Parks & Rec’s top social media for the past month.


Download the September 2018 Top Social Media Report.

 

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PPR September Media Highlights

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Each month PPR receives media coverage of our programs, projects and sites. Here are some highlights from the past month.

 

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Employee Golf Outing

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Enjoy a day of camaraderie and fun at PPR’s Juniata Golf Club. Play as an individual or put together a foursome to compete in the scramble format. There will be lots of great prizes and giveaways, and a buffet dinner at the end of the round.


Friday, October 12, 11:30 a.m.
Juniata Golf Club, 1391 E. Cayuga Street
$55 registration fee due September 28. Cash only.


Contact Barry Bessler by Thursday, September 28 at barry.bessler@phila.gov or 215-683-0203 if you’re interested in participating, or if you would like to assist in running this fun staff event.

 

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Staff Profile: Sylvia Kennedy

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Contract manager by day, Dell Music Center concessions manager extraordinaire by night. After nearly 20 years with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Sylvia Kennedy is preparing for a well-earned retirement. Read more in this month’s Staff Profile.

 

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Vote for Cheryl!

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Cheryl Hardy, a volunteer at Hank Gathers Recreation Center, is one of Philly Mags’ ten Health Hero Challenge semifinalists. There are only a few days of voting remaining. Cast your vote now through October 2.


Read more about Cheryl’s volunteer efforts and what motivates her to help make Philly a healthier place.

 

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Staff Shout Out

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Parks & Rec employee George McNally (Heavy Equipment Operator 2) is honored with the 2018 Belmont Plateau Cross Country Hall of Fame President's Award for his above-and-beyond efforts in restoring the Belmont Plateau cross country courses. Hall of Fame President Dave Thomas is shown on stage presenting the award to George.

 

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Parks & Rec Photo Round-up

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Although it’s a bit hard to see him in this photo, that’s PPR’s Deputy Commissioner Orlando Rendon on his recent trip to Mexico. As Orlando wrote, “PPR LOVE follows me everywhere I go…”





Ranger Bob Sullivan is asked by the crowd to join in the fun at the lunchtime line dance at Love Park.





The Women’s Volleyball League champions at Lloyd Hall.





City Council President Darrell Clarke distributes fans as part of the 12th & Cambria Recreation Center Community Day.





Former Mayor John Street stopped for a photo with the Lloyd Hall rowing camp.



 

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Staff Changes

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New Hires:

Jason Smith, Roofer


Promotions:
Robert Lighty, Grounds and Facilities Maintenance Worker 2
James Smalls, Grounds and Facilities Maintenance Worker 2
Richard Houch, Recreation Leader 1
Joseph Hager Jr., Grounds and Facilities Maintenance Worker 2
Johnny Wilson, Grounds & Facilities Maintenance Worker 2
Michael Hooker, Grounds and Facilities Maintenance Worker 2
Natalie Felix-DiDonato, Recreation Leader 1

Separations:

Martin Wojcik, Electrician 2
Colleen Harmer, Recreation Leader 3
Jameka Smith, Architectural Projects Coordinator 2
Lisa Claiborne, Assistant Recreation Leader

 


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PPR Staff BBQ in Photos

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A good time was had by all who attended the PPR Staff BBQ at the Carousel House.





Left: Indoor fun included a ‘photo booth’ with PPR paraphernalia...and a Rolling Stones-like tongue. Right: Michael Mychak and Keivanna Jones were the victorious duo in the outdoor competition.





Participants enjoyed a variety of activities, including relay races where they rushed to “dress like a rec leader,” complete with ball, whistle and clipboard..





Here’s half of the contestant line-up.





...and here’s the other half.





No, this photo does not show the zombie apocalypse. These kind colleagues are searching for Keivanna Jones’ cherished pendant which was lost during a race. Happily, the pendant, a gift from her grandmother, was found in the grass two days later with the help of a metal detector!



 

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