Philadelphia Parks & Recreation was covered in a variety of ways by the media this month. Here’s a summary of some of the positive press we received:

July 25

• WHYY featured the Work to Ride program at West Fairmount Park’s Chamounix Equestrian Center. The article tells the story of Parkside resident Daymar Rosser who started at the program after his brother discovered it on a walk in the park. Daymar learned to ride and care for horses. Later, he played on the national championship-winning polo team at Roger Williams University in R.I.
  

August 1

• The Philadelphia Tribune reported on the 3rd annual Philadelphia International Unity Cup kickoff.

August 2

• Philly.com featured “8 hidden gems in Fairmount Park that welcome you to get outside and play,” including the Dell Music Center and the brand-new Treetop Quest.
• Pete Mazzaccaro, writing in the Chestnut Hill Local, described the deep attachment Northwest neighbors have for Wissahickon Valley Park. “No matter what neighborhood in the Northwest you call home, the Wissahickon is part of your neighborhood. It’s a place everyone here has in common. It’s our community.” He also highlighted the upcoming All Trails Challenge, a benefit for the Friends of the Wissahickon.

August 5

• Civic leader, philanthropist, and park champion H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest passed away. His legacy, including his major donation to save the East Park Canoe House, was chronicled in a detailed piece in The Philadelphia Inquirer. His donations and fundraising work on behalf of the Centennial District, Water Works Historic Site, and other parks projects were acknowledged in a post by the Fairmount Park Conservancy. 

August 6

• Our announcement that Heitzman Recreation Center will be one of the first 64 Rebuild projects was covered by 6abc.com and Curbed Philly. In a piece by Philadelphia Magazine, PPR’s deputy commissioner Aparna Palantino explained that the Heitzman project would solicit extensive public input, “This won’t be designed for you; it will be designed with you.”

August 7

• KYW Newsradio reported on the unveiling of our $2.8 million restoration of Von Colln Field and playground. Commissioner Ott Lovell was quoted, “The play equipment is really unique; unlike anything else we have in the system. It has really cool climbing features.”

August 10 was a busy day in the media for Parks & Rec:

• The Philadelphia Tribune reported on Parkside-Evans Recreation Center’s National Night Out program. Event speakers included Lucinda Hudson, president of the Parkside Association of Philadelphia, U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), state Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-192), and City Councilman-at-Large Bill Greenlee.
• KYW Newsradio featured PPR’s WorkReady program’s successful charity fundraising effort. Program director Terri Kerwawich was quoted, “They totally smashed last year’s number,” Kerwawich said. “Last year, they raised $16,600, and we’re like at $23,300 this year!”
• Lanier Playground’s reopening after a three-year renovation was covered by the South Philly Review. The article quoted City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson who praised the “safe, high quality recreation facility and park.”

August 14

• Our announcement about the events and food trucks returning to LOVE Park this fall received coverage by a number of sources, including the Philly Voice. The Business Journal and Philly.com highlighted the new Wedding Wednesday event in particular.

August 16

• Philly.com ran a nice article on East Fairmount Park’s Sedgley Woods Disc Golf Course, one of the oldest in the nation.

August 19

• PPR’s 50-year old Playstreet program was featured in a piece by Claudia Vargas on Philly.com. Vargas wrote about Regatta Hinton, a retiree who has organized a play street on the 2400 block of North Bouvier Street for five years.