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NOVEMBER, 2016

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Dear Staff:


After a few days at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Annual Conference in St. Louis earlier this month, I returned to Philly more inspired than ever. Folks from across the country are talking about the Rebuild initiative and the soda tax that supports it! I know sometimes Rebuild doesn’t feel like it’s really happening, but believe me, it is! Finally, we’ll be able to make long overdue improvements to our recreation centers and parks. We’re prioritizing our list of projects now, and conversations with City Council and community members will begin soon. Stay tuned for more information.


I can tell we’re halfway through October based on the number of plantings taking place, including TreePhilly trees and Plants Make Positive Places gardens. Soon enough, we’ll be raking leaves and mulching trees at LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day to prepare our parks for winter.


But before skipping ahead, I want to invite you to two fun events we have planned this fall. First, there’s Trunk or Treat on October 28. I’ve enjoyed meeting so many of you over the past nine months, and now I’d love to meet your families at this Halloween event, complete with costumes, candy, hayrides and fire pits. Remember that the event is open to all PPR staff and their families, as long as you dress up yourself or your mode of transportation. If you haven’t already, please RSVP by tomorrow, October 21. Additional event details follow in a Trunk or Treat story.


Second, I’d love to see you at the Philadelphia International Unity Cup championship game on Saturday, November 5 at Citizens Bank Park. This is the culminating event of the inaugural Unity Cup soccer tournament, and it marks the first time soccer will be played at the ballpark. The championship is a full day of (free!) celebration, complete with a festival, parade, children’s game, and more, so plan to bring family and friends for all, or a portion of, the fun.


Thank you for the work you do every day.


Kathryn Ott Lovell


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Don’t Miss the Unity Cup Finals!

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Only four teams remain in the Philadelphia International Unity Cup, presented by Goya. Who will take the trophy at this first-ever Philly soccer event? Join us for the semifinals at Temple University on Sunday, October 23 and the final game at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, November 5 to find out!

 

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LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day Volunteer Registration Now Open

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Along with Fairmount Park Conservancy and our citywide network of Park Friends Groups, we are issuing a call for volunteers to help clean, green, and celebrate Philadelphia’s parks on Saturday, November 12!  LOVE Your Park is one of the largest grassroots volunteer efforts in Philadelphia. Over 85 Park Friends Groups – small groups of committed neighbors who help to maintain their neighborhood parks – will participate in the Fall Service Day, and we need your help to plant trees, collect leaves for compost, clean up trash and litter, prepare our public green spaces for winter, and more! 



A complete list of participating parks, including details on timing, location, and projects, is available here. Volunteers are encouraged to register to participate online or by calling the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Stewardship Office at 215.683.3689.Families, kids, and large groups are welcome! 


Learn about LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day, explore the list of parks, and register to volunteer

 

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Fall Festivals and Activities

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Every fall, our amazing volunteer Friends Groups and partners plan fun, family-friendly Halloween and fall-themed events. Take a look at our featured events for apple festivals, Halloween parties, movie nights, fall flea markets, and more!


View the full list of Halloween and fall-themed events

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APA Names Fairmount Park One of America's Great Public Spaces

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Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park was named one of this year’s 15 Great Places in America by the American Planning Association (APA), which annually honors neighborhoods, streets, and public spaces for their character, cultural identity, and use of sustainable practices. Fairmount Park is one of five honorees in the APA’s “great public spaces” category, which honors areas within the public realm that help promote social interaction and a sense of community. Fairmount Park was chosen for its unique planning story — the park represents one of the first efforts to protect a municipal watershed by altering land use to protect the Schuylkill from pollution and degraded water quality — as well as its many options for active and passive recreation.


Read more about the award in the Philadelphia Inquirer story

 

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Reminder: Roots2Rise Yoga

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Through a special partnership, PPR and the organization Roots2Rise have brought yoga programming to nine recreation centers and playgrounds throughout Philadelphia this fall. Roots2Rise is committed to bringing the benefits of yoga to various communities that traditionally haven’t had access to wellness programming. Roots2Rise classes are open to all levels; instructors welcome beginners to advanced students ages 15 and older to participate. All weekly classes are $5, with the proceeds benefitting those who are unable to afford a yoga class.


View a full list of Roots2Rise yoga class locations and dates

 


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PPR Staff and Family Trunk or Treat Event

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Join us on Friday, October 28 from 6:30-8:30pm at the Horticulture Center for this fun, new event for PPR staff and their families! Decorate your car (or wagon or bike) and come ready to distribute candy to kids of all ages. Participating kids will trick or treat from vehicle to vehicle in the Horticulture Center parking lot. Bring your own candy, food, drinks, and chairs. There will be contests for best decorated car and best costume, games, music, prizes, a photo booth, fire pits, s’mores, and hayrides! The event, which will take place rain or shine, is limited to PPR staff and families only and is not open to the public.


You must reserve your spot in advance; space is limited. Please RSVP to Kathy DeCrescio (kathy.decrescio@phila.gov, 215.683.3625) by October 21.

 


Download the Trunk or Treat event invitation for details

 

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Next to Normal at Venice Island Performing Arts Center


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The Tony award-winning contemporary musical Next to Normal​ is playing at Venice Island Performing Arts Center from Friday, October 21 through Sunday, October 30. ASH Theater Company and Shoe Box Company are co-producing this local production, which features professional and up-and-coming Philadelphia performers. This show is not recommended for those under the age of 12. Ticket prices range from $15 to $25 and are available at tix.ashtheater.com or by calling 215.987.0016. 

 


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Fall Foliage in Philadelphia


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Across the city, the green leaves of summer have begun to turn into the fiery reds, yellows, and oranges of fall. With one of the largest urban park systems in the country, Philadelphians have a unique opportunity to explore and view fall foliage from a number of impressive locations throughout the city. Peak fall foliage in the greater Philadelphia region will take place from October 21-31 this year, so be sure to visit some of our favorite parks, trails, and paths to view the beautiful fall color at its peak!


View the list of the top places to view fall foliage in Philadelphia

 

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Fall Programming at Carousel House


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PPR’s Carousel House Recreation Center offers socialization as well as recreational and educational services to persons with disabilities. Opened in 1972, it was the first municipal facility in the United States dedicated to this mission. On October 8, the 26th Annual Carousel Ball took place. The theme of this year’s event was “Celebrating the Olympics: We are ALL Champions,” and guests dressed to impress and were adorned with medals. Erica Young, the director at Carousel House, reports on a busy fall thus far, with more events and programs planned for the coming months. Programs and events open for registration include a special populations basketball league, Halloween Dance, movie nights, vision-impaired bingo, and dance, ceramics, music, arts and crafts, and exercise classes.


Continue reading about fall programming at Carousel House

 

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Top Fall Hikes in Wissahickon Valley Park


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From paths through Houston and Andorra Meadows to Forbidden Drive, you cannot go wrong with any trail in Wissahickon Valley Park in autumn. Every park entrance will lead you to beautiful fall foliage and wildlife actively preparing for winter. Wissahickon Environmental Center Environmental Educators Trish Fries and Tony Croasdale have rounded up a list of their favorite trails in the park to hike during the fall months, which will take you through some of the park’s most scenic locations. Try to visit them all before the colors of fall give way to winter!


View the full list of fall hikes in Wissahickon Valley Park

 


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Lights on Afterschool


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On Thursday, October 20, several Philadelphia Parks & Recreation playgrounds and recreation centers will participate in the Lights on Afterschool initiative. Lights on Afterschool is a nationwide program, run by the Afterschool Alliance, that has been celebrated every October since the year 2000. Its goal is to recognize the role that these programs play in keeping kids safe, promoting learning, and helping working families.


To celebrate, PPR’s After School programs have coordinated a diverse pool of activities that will showcase what makes their programs great. Through these projects, After School program participants will demonstrate lessons they have learned on topics such as physical fitness, healthy eating, and academics.


Continue reading about Lights on Afterschool

 


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Available Jobs


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Urban Park Ranger 1

Open-competitive, close date of 10/28/2016


This is park ranger work at the full performance level in the Department of Parks & Recreation Park Ranger Program. Employees in this class are responsible for patrolling Fairmount Park and enforcing park rules and regulations. Providing the initial response to park medical emergencies and notifying the appropriate municipal and/or state agency of issues that warrant their attention are significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the direction of an Urban Park Ranger Supervisor.


Continue reading about the Urban Park Ranger 1 position


Recreation Leader 3

City-Wide Promotional, close date of 10/21/2016


This is supervisory and participatory recreation work directing a large staff, administering a comprehensive program of activities for the public and providing services and facilities for organized groups at a major recreation center. Employees have controlling responsibility for the organization and implementation of programs at a major recreation center. Employees in this class supervise lower level recreation leaders in the administration of a recreational program for a large residential institution or correctional system. Determining community recreation needs and interests, promoting acceptance of programs, raising funds to support program needs, and motivating sustained participation are major aspects of the work. Duties require scheduled evening and weekend work and moderate physical effort. Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher level recreational supervisor.


Continue reading about the Recreation Leader 3 position

 

 


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Philadelphia Marathon


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The countdown is on, and only about a month remains before the 2016 Philadelphia Marathon race weekend! This year’s 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. Registration will remain open until November 1 or when the races reach capacity.


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

 


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The Seasons of Rizzo Rink


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Rizzo Rink is a unique facility in the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation system. While ice hockey is Rizzo’s primary focus, a wide variety of other programs are also offered there throughout the year. Rizzo has six seasons divided by the programs offered, including winter ice skating and hockey, spring dry sports (roller hockey, ball hockey, and skateboarding), and summer camp activities.


Continue reading about Rizzo Rink and how the activities vary there from season to season

 


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TreePhilly Fall Yard Tree Giveaways


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The TreePhilly Fall Yard Tree Giveaways are underway! Three giveaways have been held so far this month, and three additional giveaway events remain (October 29, October 30, and November 5). A total of 1,400 trees will be given away through these events this season. While pre-registration for each of the giveaways is closed, walk-ins will be accepted while supplies last. Philadelphia property owners can receive up to two trees per planting address, along with free mulch and planting and care instructions, at designated Yard Tree Giveaway locations. Learn more about the trees TreePhilly is giving away this season here.


Learn more about the TreePhilly Fall Yard Tree Giveaways

 


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PPR Scarecrow Festival at Sister Cities Park


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Stop by Sister Cities Park before the end of October to see the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Scarecrow Festival! This annual exhibit is a partnership between the PPR After School program and Center City District. The scarecrows were created by kids from more than a dozen PPR facilities, including Rivera Recreation Center, Vogt Playground, and McVeigh Park & Recreation Center, who were grouped into teams to create these unique symbols of the autumn season.


Learn more about visiting Sister Cities Park or view photos from the Scarecrow Festival

 


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Meadow Mansions: Designing Homes for Fairmount Park’s Winged Residents


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In cooperation with the 2016 DesignPhiladelphia Festival, the Fairmount Park Conservancy commissioned 12 artists and designers to interpret the festival’s theme of “home” to create structures to help attract birds to the adjoining meadow of East Fairmount Park and raise awareness about these critical habitats. The structures will be on display at historic Mount Pleasant Mansion on Friday, October 21 (3-6pm), Saturday – Sunday, October 22-23 (10am-4pm), Friday, October 28 (3-6pm), and Saturday – Sunday, October 29-30 (10am-4pm), before being installed in Fairmount Park’s meadows to entice nesting species and serve as sign-posts for reminding park visitors that the meadows provide important habitat for birds. A series of related talks, walks, and workshops will be held by PPR in partnership with Audubon Pennsylvania.


Learn more about the “Meadow Mansions” exhibit and upcoming events

 


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Financial Literacy Classes at Roosevelt Playground

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On Tuesday evenings in October and December, a series of free financial literacy workshops will be presented at Roosevelt Playground. Each workshop in the four-week series will focus on a different topic; week one will focus on banks and mortgages, week two on credit scores, week three on budgeting, and week four on an introduction to investments and retirement. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Call 215.685.8754 to register.


Where: Roosevelt Playground (6455 Walker Street)


When:  Tuesdays in October (4th-25th) and Tuesdays in December (6th-27th)


Time:  7:15-8:00pm


Continue reading about the Financial Literacy Program   

 

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Operations Staff Profile: Kirk Starchia

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Kirk Starchia has been working for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation for the past four years. He is currently a Grounds and Facilities Maintenance Worker 2 in PPR District 8, which covers parks and recreational facilities in West and Southwest Philadelphia. Kirk’s typical workday depends on the season, but some of his job responsibilities include raking leaves in the fall, plowing snow in the winter, preparing and maintaining ball fields, cutting back brush on trails, stripping and waxing floors and cleaning at recreation centers, and landscaping activities such as weeding and grass seeding. His dependability and enthusiasm about maintaining and improving Philadelphia’s parks and recreation centers make him a valuable member of the PPR team. 


If you see Kirk or another PPR maintenance staff member when you are out enjoying one of the City’s parks, be sure to thank him or her for a job well done!


Read Kirk’s full profile

 

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South Philly Fall Recreation League Registration

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Registration for South Philly fall recreation leagues is now open, and spots are still available in co-ed soccer and touch football programs at multiple locations including Murphy Recreation Center, Barry Playground, Palumbo Recreation Center, and Capitolo Playground. Detailed league and registration information is available here.

 

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Q&A with EmmaKate Martin, FarmPhilly Garden Wagon Educator

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EmmaKate Martin is FarmPhilly’s Garden Wagon Educator and Garden Technician. With a background in vegetable farming, she found her place as the Garden Technician for all edible gardens in PPR’s garden inventory and a traveling educator for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s urban agriculture program, FarmPhilly. Before the garden wagon was developed, EmmaKate was the West Philly Garden Educator for FarmPhilly. Now she visits various PPR centers and events, using the garden wagon to teach lessons to participating kids. In its first year, the garden wagon was utilized at over 30 locations, serving 845 kids.


Read the Q&A with EmmaKate about the Garden Wagon program

 


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“Once an ABC fighter, always an ABC fighter”


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Philadelphia has an impressive track record of producing some of the best boxers in the world, from legends like Joe Frazier, Jimmy Young and Charlie “Choo Choo” Brown to more recent champions like Bernard Hopkins, David Reid, and Jesse Hart. Commercially, the sport of boxing may have peaked in the 20th century, but it still thrives in many North Philly neighborhoods today.


Local boxers look to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s Athletic Recreation Center for training and entertainment. All year, Recreation Leader Fred Jenkins trains boxers of all ages and skill levels at the Athletic Boxing Club (ABC Gym). Every fall, Jenkins and a team of Athletic Recreation Center staff organize the annual Lucien Blackwell Amateur Boxing Tournament, which attracts rising amateur boxers and spectators from all around the Mid-Atlantic region. Over the three days of the 14th Annual Lucien Blackwell Amateur Boxing Tournament this year, which was held from September 29 to October 1, upwards of 1,200 spectators, coaches, and trainers watched 37 fights.


Continue reading about the Lucien Blackwell Tournament and Jenkins’ boxing trainees


Looking for a boxing program? Twelve PPR recreation centers offer programs for all ages and skill levels. Read more about boxing programs offered at PPR facilities

 

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Penn Treaty Park Playground Groundbreaking

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On September 27, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, and Councilman Mark Squilla participated in a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of renovations to the playground at Penn Treaty Park in Fishtown. Friends of Penn Treaty Park and students from Adaire, Hackett, and Saint Laurentius schools also attended the event.


Improvements will include landscaping, conservation of the park’s obelisk sculpture, a new playground with ADA accessible equipment and new safety surfacing, and the addition of a turtle sculpture, which will represent the Native American history behind Penn Treaty Park. The ceremony culminated with a blessing by Nanticoke Leni Lenape tribal councilman Reverend John Norwood and with officials and students breaking ground to mark the start of the renovation.


Continue reading about the Penn Treaty Park playground groundbreaking

 


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Celebrating Archives Month Philly: A History of Philadelphia’s Department of Recreation


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October is Archives Month Philly, a time for celebrating archives, the work of archivists, and Philadelphia’s rich history. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation houses the Fairmount Park Historic Resource Archives, a collection of over 10,000 archival documents focusing on a variety of aspects of the Philadelphia park system history, including a wealth of material on the parks’ architectural history.


To celebrate Archives Month Philly, PPR is featuring a series of weekly posts highlighting the rich history of municipal recreation in Philadelphia. Each week, we will be sharing an installment of, “A History of Philadelphia’s Department of Recreation from 1880-2010,” a narrative researched and written by former PPR historic researcher Meredith Leep.


Read the first three installments in the series

 


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South Philly’s Newly Renovated DiSilvestro Playground


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On July 5, DiSilvestro Playground reopened its doors to the Point Breeze community after two years of closure. The playground was demolished in 2014 to be reconstructed as one of the four facilities in the South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center on Broad and Morris Streets. In addition to the newly renovated playground, the 96,000-square-foot building houses a brand new CHOP pediatric primary care center, Philadelphia Department of Public Health community health center and the South Philadelphia Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia. This type of collaborative facility is the first of its kind with the primary purpose of combining health, literacy, and recreational services all under one roof.


Continue reading about DiSilvestro Playground

 


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Plants Make Positive Places (P3) Fall Plantings


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October is traditionally a great month to plant flowers for the following spring, but this October is particularly important because it is the month that PPR's Plants Make Positive Places (P3) program completed its fall plantings. Over the past six months, P3 Coordinator and Staff Horticulturalist Carol Pollard Ndeti propagated 2,500 plants, conducted dozens of staff trainings, and vetted and designed plantings for 11 PPR facility gardens. This October, P3 gardens were planted at Pelbano Recreation Center, Norris Square, East Passyunk Recreation Center, and Papa Playground.


Continue reading about the P3 fall plantings

 

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Parks and Recreation Commission Welcomes New Members


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Nine new members were recently appointed to the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commission (PaRC). In total, the Commission consists of 15 members, nine of whom are appointed by the mayor from nominations made by City Council and six of whom serve ex officio, including the President of City Council and the Executive Director of the City Planning Commission or their designees, the Water Commissioner, the Streets Commissioner, the Public Property Commissioner, and the Parks & Recreation Commissioner. Each of the highly qualified Commission members has demonstrated skills and knowledge about park and recreation matters.


PaRC holds several public meetings a year. The next meeting will be held on Monday, November 14 at 6pm at Venice Island Performing Arts Center.


Continue reading about the new Parks and Recreation Commission members

 

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History of the Fish Hatchery at Pleasant Hill Park


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To celebrate the rich history of Philadelphia’s parks and recreational facilities, PPR is highlighting historic structures located at parks and recreation sites throughout the city. The first structure to be highlighted in this new monthly series is the Fish Hatchery at Pleasant Hill Park, a 35-acre park along the Delaware River in the Torresdale section of Northeast Philadelphia. The history of the hatchery extends back to the early twentieth century, when a section of the park property was part of the Pennsylvania’s Department of Fisheries’ Torresdale Fish Hatchery. While the hatchery is no longer in operation today, visitors to Pleasant Hill Park can still participate in a variety of fishing programs at the park’s stocked hatchery ponds.


Continue reading about the history of the fish hatchery

 


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Pleasant Hill Park Fishing Programs


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PPR held a variety of free fishing programs this year at Pleasant Hill Park in Northeast Philadelphia. The park’s riverfront location and stocked ponds make it an ideal location for holding programs that teach children how to fish and get the community involved in fishing. The highlights of this year’s fishing programs at Pleasant Hill Park include:

  • 21 Community Fishing Days were held on Saturdays this spring, summer and early fall, where 728 fish were caught.
  • 1,214 children from 32 different PPR day camps visited Pleasant Hill Park this summer for fishing, arts and crafts, field games, canoe tutorials, and watershed education. The summer campers caught 319 fish.
  • 4 local teenagers from Northeast Philadelphia were employed over the summer as youth workers for summer camp programming.

A big thanks goes out to youth workers Matt, Matt, Ray Ann, and Andrew, Rita Molchan, Stewardship RSI Nicholas Gonzalez, and Stewardship Coordinator Emma Schad for all of their dedication and hard work, which made the Pleasant Hill Park fishing programs possible!


Continue reading about fishing programs at Pleasant Hill Park


Volunteer at Pleasant Hill Park as part of the LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day

 

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Staff Changes

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Promotions
Victoria Fields (Accountant)
Paul Biederman (Recreation Facility Caretaker 2)
Christopher Everly (Recreation Facility Caretaker 2)
George Pelbano (Recreation Facility Caretaker 2)
Betty Jamision (Recreation Facility Caretaker 2)
Joseph DiGiovanni (Recreation Facility Caretaker 2)
Monika Anderson (Social Worker Services Manager 2)

Promotion with Interdepartmental Transfer
Donna Miller (Department Procurement Specialist)

Reinstatement
Edmond Dungee (Greenhouse/Nursery Attendant)

Resignations
Laurel Grau (Assistant Recreation Leader)
Daryl Nelson (Recreation Leader 3)

 

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4th Annual PPR Holiday Food Drive


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It’s that time of year again — time for the annual PPR holiday food drive! It has been a great four years contributing our food donations to Philabundance and impacting lives with our contributions. Thank you for all of your previous donations, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with such a great organization. Please drop off your non-perishable food items between October 3 and November 22. Boxes will be located at the receptionist area on the 10th floor at 1515 Arch Street.

 


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Fox Chase After School Program is Set for a Year of Fun and Learning


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The After School program at Fox Chase Recreation Center has been a longtime standout on the center’s roster of programming. The program provides a safe place for students from kindergarten through eighth grade from Fox Chase Elementary and St. Cecilia schools to attend from 3-6pm, Monday through Friday. Kids in the After School program get to experience a variety of activities, including sports, arts and crafts, and homework assistance. “We feel our program develops the physical, cultural, artistic, and life skills of our participants,” said Assistant Recreation Leader Gerry White.


Continue reading about the After School program at Fox Chase Recreation Center

 


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Nutrition and Physical Activity After School Training Class at Feltonville Recreation Center


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On Friday, October 14, students in the Feltonville Recreation Center After School program enjoyed an evening of relay races, group selfies, and nutrition training on the importance of water. Students received blue water bottles from Philadelphia Department of Public Health's "Get Healthy Philly" initiative. They decorated and labeled their bottles and then took silly photos with them. Students also learned about the location of kidneys in their bodies and the connection between drinking water and maintaining healthy organs. Site Supervisor Jen Cole and Mr. Curtis joined in on the fun!


View photos from the After School training class

 


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Retiring: Volunteer Coordinator David Bower


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As his retirement date approaches, PPR would like to thank David Bower for eighteen years of dedication and service to Philadelphia’s parks. David began his career in 1998 as a Volunteer Coordinator for the former Fairmount Park Commission, serving as a liaison to established Park Friends Groups. At the time, the primary focus of the Stewardship Division was watershed parks, and David oversaw Wissahickon Valley Park. Following the 2010 merger of the Fairmount Park Commission and Department of Recreation that created Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, David’s responsibility expanded to include watershed and neighborhood parks in Northwest Philly.


Throughout his tenure, David has built up many connections in the Northwest, especially with the Friends groups. We sat down with David for his thoughts on PPR, his colleagues, Philly parks, and more.


Read David’s interview and his colleagues’ reflections on his impact

 

 


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Hissey Playground Groundbreaking


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On Thursday, October 13, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, City Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, and community leaders kicked-off a renovation project for Hissey Playground in the Kensington section of Philadelphia at a ground-breaking ceremony.


The updates to Hissey Playground will include new play and fitness equipment, a new safety surface, and installation of new fencing with gates. The play equipment features two slides, swings, and a rope bridge for older children, and the fitness equipment will be positioned near a smaller play space so that parents and guardians can be active while safely monitoring younger children. Renovations to Hissey are made possible through a collaboration between the Office of Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Philadelphia Water Department, and the Department of Public Property.


Continue reading about the Hissey Playground groundbreaking

 


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Senior Strut


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On Friday, October 14, seniors walked a one-mile loop down scenic Boathouse Row along Kelly Drive at the 4th Annual “Senior Strut” health event. Participants had a musical send-off by a Mummers String Band and after the walk returned to their starting point at Lloyd Hall for a health and information fair with free health screenings, fitness activities, and entertainment. The event also featured a special appearance by Harold Carmichael, former Eagles wide receiver and Pro-Football Hall of Famer, and music by DJ-Patty Pat.


View photos from the Senior Strut

 

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Top Social Media Report


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As fall progresses, PPR's social media followers have continued to show interest in many of PPR's events and activities. According to the analytics, our followers were thrilled to learn about the Boxers' Trail 5K, the relighting of Boathouse Row, Philly Free Streets, PARK(ing) Day, and the upcoming revitalization of the Welcome Center at LOVE Park.


Download our Top Social Media Report to learn more

 

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PPR’s Patty-Pat Kozlowski Receives Chief Tamamend Award


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Congratulations to PPR’s own Patty-Pat Kozlowski on receiving the annual Chief Tamamend Award from the Friends of Penn Treaty Park. Every year at the Friends’ annual Champagne in the Park event in September, they recognize and honor a government official for his or her service to Penn Treaty Park and to all Philly parks. Chief Tamanend was a peacekeeper and a "go-between" for the Native Americans and new settlers. He brokered many meetings and treaties—sort of what Patty-Pat does now with our Park Friends Groups! Did he DJ, too?


The Stewardship team, which was there to share the honor with Patty-Pat, can't think of anyone more deserving. Since joining the Stewardship team almost a decade ago, our own "Commissioner of Fun" has brought her passion, energy, street smarts, DJ equipment, Port Richmond hoagies, and Stock's pound cake, but mostly her humor, to everyone she comes in contact with. Patty-Pat thanked her chiefs, Ed Fagan (retired) and Barbara McCabe, as well as her Stewardship tribe. Our Park Friends Network continues to grow and thrive under Patty-Pat’s leadership. Congratulations to Patty-Pat on this well-deserved honor!

 

 

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Milken Foundation Honors Former PPR Camp Counselor Jayda Pugliese


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Early this month, a fifth grade teacher at Andrew Jackson Elementary School in South Philadelphia named Jayda Pugliese received a Milken Educator Award for $25,000 — a national honor given to just 35 teachers around the country each year. In the early to mid-2000s, Jayda worked for PPR as a camp counselor and tumbling instructor and did a wonderful job. It is always exciting to see members of the PPR community achieve great things, and PPR extends its congratulations to Jayda for this incredible honor!


Read more about Jayda and the award in the Philadelphia Inquirer story

 

 

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Photo: Special Population Group Poses with Sister Cities Scarecrow

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In Northeast Philadelphia, there is a small group of special population ladies who, along with a couple of PPR recreation leaders, go on trips every Thursday from September through June. The ladies range in age from 30-60. This group was started over 15 years ago by Cathy Carchidi at Lawncrest Rec Center. As recreation leaders have retired, others have become a part of the program. This photo shows Chalfont Recreation Center Supervisor Christine Reilly, recent retiree Diane Daly, and their group of ladies with the scarecrow they created for the Scarecrow Festival at Sister Cities Park.


Continue reading about Special Friends on the Go

 

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Park Friends Network Meeting at the Horticulture Center


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Early this fall, PPR and Fairmount Park Conservancy held a Park Friends Network meeting at the Horticulture Center in West Fairmount Park to thank Park Friends groups for their dedication and time throughout the summer, and to gear up for the fall. The night included a discussion of exciting upcoming events such as the LOVE Your Park day of service and the Philadelphia Marathon as well as a recap of PPR’s summer movie nights, with over 25 movie nights in dozens of Philly parks. 


The evening ended with PPR Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell congratulating Ray Nasser, on being elected to the Commission on Parks and Recreation. The group also congratulated Leroy Fisher of Hunting Park United on winning TD Bank’s Activist of the Year Award. As always, thank you to all of the Friends groups for beautifying and serving as community voices for Philly’s parks!


Continue reading about the Park Friends Network Meeting

 

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Bridesburg After School Program


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After a long, hot summer, school was back in session in September, which means the Bridesburg After School Program was back in session as well! The children were welcomed back to the program with a hot dog and water ice party. The kids also participated in the citywide Fall Hallway Decoration Contest and did a great job of bringing autumnal colors inside to the hallway of Bridesburg. New this year, Down the Line and Beyond is visiting Bridesburg every Friday to teach the children how to play tennis. These are just a few highlights of what the children accomplished in September, and much more is yet to come for the After School program at Bridesburg!


View Bridesburg’s September After School Program slideshow report

 

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