From mid-August to mid-October, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will extend hours at 12 recreation centers. The extension is a partnership with the Managing Director’s Office of Violence Prevention (OVP). It aims to support community well-being and connection. During the extended hours, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation staff will provide high-quality, structured programming, including:

• sports & athletics
• visual arts
• outdoor education
• other social activities

Beginning August 10, select sites will operate from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through September 1; and from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays from September 7 through October 13.

Locations participating in the extended hours program include:

1. Hank Gathers Recreation Center, 2501 W. Diamond Street, 19121
2. C.B. Moore Recreation Center, 2551 N. 22nd Street, 19132
3. Athletic Recreation Center, 1400 N. 26th Street, 19121*
4. Lonnie Young Recreation Center, 1100 E. Chelten Avenue, 19138**
5. Waterview Recreation Center, 5826 McMahon Street, 19144**
6. Vare Recreation Center, 2600 Morris Street, 19145
7. Kingsessing Recreation Center, 4901 Kingsessing Ave., 19143***
8. McVeigh Recreation Center, 400-64 E. Ontario Street, 19134**
9. Rivera Recreation Center, 3201 North 5th Street, 19140
10. Hunting Park Recreation Center, 900 Hunting Park Avenue, 19140
11. Shepard Recreation Center, 5700 Haverford Avenue, 19131**
12. Christy Recreation Center, 728 S. 55th Street, 19143

* Extended hours will begin at this site on Sunday, August 11.
** Extended hours will begin at these sites on Saturday, August 17.
*** Extended hours will begin at this site on Saturday, August 24.

Other partnered programs launched by Parks & Rec and OVP this summer include an enhanced basketball programming pilot and the “Cops & Rec” outdoor movie night series:

Enhanced basketball programming pilot
This program was launched at the end of July. Its basketball training curriculum focuses on engaging teens and young adults at four Parks & Rec sites. Those sites are:

• McVeigh Recreation Center
• Rivera Recreation Center
• J. Finnegan Playground
• Cibotti Playground

The program lasts for 12 weeks. It incorporates basketball skill development, coach-mentor training, and leadership development for the first ten weeks. For the final two weeks, participants compete in a round-robin. The program is supported by the Positive Coaching Alliance and the nonprofit Shoot Basketballs Not People. It also includes a youth-led innovation fund for teens and young adults to design and pilot their own programs and initiatives.

Cops & Rec outdoor movie night series
“Cops & Rec” is a series of free outdoor movie nights at playgrounds and recreation centers. This program is a partnership among Parks & Rec, the Philadelphia Police Department, and OVP. It launched August 1 and runs through the end of October.

The movie nights are an opportunity:

• for people to come together for a relaxing evening under the stars.
• to bring the big-screen experience to neighborhoods.
• to create meaningful connections between City services and kids in communities.

Before the start of each movie, representatives from City agencies share helpful information and resources to keep community members safe and healthy. Complimentary refreshments are provided, and movies start at dusk.