JANUARY, 2015

Winter at Laura Sims Skate House

Laura Sims Skate House in Cobbs Creek Park (63rd and Walnut Streets)
(215) 685-1995

Open Hockey: Players of all skill levels, ages 17 and up
Tuesdays, 8:30-10 p.m.
NHL-sized rink
$10 a person; goalies are free
Free on-site parking.

Weekend Public Ice Skating: Youth and adults
Fridays: 7:45-9:45 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: 3 p.m.-5 p.m. & 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Free admission; $3 skate rental
Concession stand open

Historic House Holiday Tours

Individual Charms of Fairmount Park house tours continue through the end of December. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the thematic holiday décor! Learn more

Tree Lighting at Bridesburg Rec

On November 29, the Bridesburg Recreation Center hosted the Bridesburg Civic Association for its inaugural holiday Tree Lighting. This turned out to be a tremendous community event, with over 400 people in attendance. There was hot chocolate and soft pretzels for all, a DJ providing holiday music, free pictures taken by Ernie Tedesco by the lit tree, a performance by the Bridesburg Cougars Cheerleaders and a unique serenade by the Aqua String Band! Finally, a visitor from the North Pole was escorted by the local fire house's truck as he made his way up Richmond Street. Joining our red-clad guest to light the tree were dignitaries like Councilman Bobby Heenan and State Representatives John Taylor and John Sabatina. This was a tremendous event, and a lot of credit goes to both Harry Engasser (Pres.) and Fred Becker (VP) of the Civic Association. More than a celebration of a holiday, or of a tree, this was a celebration of community, and one that is certain to become an annual tradition.

Photo: Holidays at Powers Park

The Friends of Powers Park joined with the Richmond Branch Free Library of Philadelphia to host a Visit from Santa and Tree Lighting Event on December 6.

Photos: Older Adult Holiday Party

On December 1, over 450 Older Adults celebrated the holidays at Cannstatter's in northeast Philadelphia. The return of the Older Adult Holiday Party was made possible by Health Partners Plans, which sponsored the event. Music was provided by the City Rhythm Orchestra and the singing duo "Unforgettable." A great time was had by all!

Holiday Decorations at PPR Facilities

Want to get into the holiday spirit? Spend some time visiting PPR facilities and parks! If you can’t go in person, here’s a sampling of seasonal images recently posted on Facebook:

• Columbus Square Park
• Clemente Park and Playground
• Piccoli Playground
• Woodford Mansion (with help from Mander Rec Center)

Photo: Friends Group Holiday Party

On December 4, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Fairmount Park Conservancy hosted their annual holiday party for Parks Friends Groups at Galdos Catering. Pictured above are volunteers from McPherson Square Park with PPR Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis.

Forget Flying Reindeer, We Have Flying Squirrels

Yes, West Virginia, Pennsylvania really does have flying squirrels--both northern and southern species. And as convincing as Rudolph the reindeer is for guiding sleighs at night, the nocturnal flying squirrel doesn’t actually fly--it glides.

Although rarely seen, the flying squirrel was recently photographed feeding in Haddington Woods. A local naturalist has been spreading peanut butter on the bark of trees in the hopes of sighting one of these interesting arboreal acrobats.

Continue reading about flying squirrels

Photo: Holiday Fun at Mann Older Adult Center

On December 12, PPR’s Stewardship Unit, led by Barbara McCabe, continued its annual tradition of leading Christmas crafts and games at Mann Older Adult Center.

The Polar Express Stops at Monkiewicz Playground

The Monkiewicz Playground, located at Richmond Street and Allegheny Avenue, hosted its annual Polar Express Party for the students of its Tot Recreation Program on December 5.

The students came dressed in their favorite pajamas and slippers as they celebrated the Christmas season watching the movie The Polar Express. The children were greeted with a cereal and danish breakfast, an introduction to the story by lead teacher Debbie Baldwin, followed by the viewing of the movie with the service of marshmallows to all. A pizza lunch was served with a cupcake treat. After lunch, the students participated in making their own paper trains.

This is the first of several events planned for the students. Next week Santa will make an appearance during class to share breakfast with the students and have his picture taken with each child. Mrs. Claus will also join the children for breakfast and pictures.

Christmas Village

Now-December 28, 2014

Love Park (JFK Plaza)

Still have some holiday shopping to do? Visit Christmas Village, an outside holiday market event modeled after the traditional Christmas Markets in Germany. Now through the last Sunday in December, vendors in more than 60 wooden booths are selling traditional European food, sweets and drinks. They also offer a great shopping experience with international holiday gifts, ornaments, jewelry and high-quality arts and crafts.

Energy-saving Tip

Recycle your Christmas tree and broken holiday lights! The City of Philadelphia recycles trees at our Sanitation Convenience Centers. Trees left curbside are NOT recycled! There are companies in PA that accept broken holiday lights. Some companies will replace your lights with new LED light strings!

Run for the Broad Street Run for the Belmont Plateau

Run with the Fairmount Park Conservancy at the 2015 Broad Street Run to raise funds for Belmont Plateau trail restoration and enjoy perks like membership to the Fairmount Park Conservancy at the $50 level, guided group training runs at the Belmont Plateau and more!

Register NOW for the 2015 Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run well before the lottery opens.

"Find Your Path" Story: Max Woessner

I first came to the Young Performers Theater Camp (YPTC) in the summer of 2004. Although I had heard about the camp from friends, I didn’t know what to expect and was very nervous. My first summer with YPTC, I received the role of Ed the Hyena in The Lion King and almost quit! Having been told by my friends and family that I was a natural performer, I thought the role wasn’t big enough for my talent. What a mistake that would have been!

After my first summer, I was hooked. Some performers came and went, but I didn’t go anywhere! I spent eight consecutive summers on the stage honing my acting skills, but also learning the ins and outs of producing a large-scale theatre production. I accumulated an immense amount of knowledge on the daily on-goings of life in the theatre, and the lessons I learned from my time with YPTC are incomparable. Putting on a show is fun, exhausting, and 100% worth it. Every role is important. Whether you’re playing the lead or simply entering as a cameo, every character is vital to making the show run smoothly. You don’t always get the role you want, but you must always make the character your own. And as they say, “the show” does “go on.”

Continue reading Max’s “Find Your Path” story

PPR Launches Forest Restoration Initiative

In November, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation announced multi-year efforts to revitalize degraded forest stands in three of Philadelphia’s historic watershed parks. Led by PPR’s Urban Forestry & Ecosystem Management Division, the restoration efforts aim to achieve a viable, self-perpetuating, native-dominated and resilient forest ecosystem that provides valuable ecosystem services to the city and its residents.

The three pilot projects are part of PPR’s Forest Management Framework, an innovative action plan published in April 2013 that guides restoration efforts in the city’s natural areas. These pilot projects target forest stands that are degraded to varying degrees: Haddington Woods in Cobbs Creek Park, near the intersection of Vine and Daggett Streets; Wigard Woods in Wissahickon Valley Park, bound by Wigard Street, Henry Avenue, and Wises Mill Road; and Three Springs Hollow in Pennypack Creek Park, between Bustleton Avenue and Krewstown Road.

Continue reading about the Forest Restoration Initiative

More than 4 Million Meals Served to Philadelphia Youth in Summer 2014

On December 4, Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced that more than four million United States Department of Agriculture-funded meals were served to Philadelphia youth between June 16 and August 29, 2014 through the Summer Food Service Program, and that approximately 36,000 free and low-cost summer programming opportunities were promoted on the City’s youth programs website as part of Fun Safe Philly Summer. Fun Safe Philly Summer ensures young people have access to free summer programming, free summer meals, and summer employment and enrichment opportunities. The 36,000 free and low-cost program opportunities promoted on the City’s youth programming website this year represent a 44% increase over summer 2013.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation was a lead partner in both the summer meal program and the series of “pop-up” events throughout the city, including a pool party, ice skating, a skateboarding demonstration and a pump & jump event.

Continue reading about 2014 Fun Safe Philly Summer successes

Photo: Poquessing Creek Trail Ribbon Cutting

Mayor Michael A. Nutter; Michael DiBerardinis, Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources; and John Grady, President, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, along with PowerCorpsPHL, dedicated the Poquessing Creek Trail in Northeast Philadelphia on December 10. The a 1.5-mile paved, multi-use trail connects Junod Playground and the Parkwood neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia to the 32-acre, naturally wooded confines of Poquessing Creek Park, a watershed park in Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s system and the 500+ acre Benjamin Rush State Park, the only state park in Philadelphia.

Read a thank you letter from a community member for the trail

Job Opportunities

PPR is hiring for several positions! Visit our Employment webpage to learn more.

Photo: Thanksgiving Day Parade

A couple of hundred thousand spectators lined the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Eakins Oval and Art Museum to enjoy the amazing colors, sounds and entertainment of the 95th Annual Dunkin Donuts 6ABC Thanksgiving Day Parade on a beautiful, brisk, fall day.

In addition to taking place on PPR land, department staff--especially Grounds Maintenance Workers and Skilled Trades staff--provide event support.

Dell Music Center Rebranding Wins Award

Simon PR recently received top honors at the 2014 Public Relations Society of America, Philadelphia chapter, Pepperpot Awards, securing recognition for work on five campaigns. Among the five campaigns, a rebranding on behalf of the Dell Music Center won first place in the Marketing Communications: New Products and Services category. The campaign for the Dell’s 2014 summer season included a media relations effort that yielded 1.9 million impressions and a front page story in The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Dell increased ticket sales 33%, and four out of five concerts were total sell-outs.

Trees of Philly Story Contest Winners

On December 1, TreePhilly announced the winners of its first-ever Trees of Philly Story Contest. The contest garnered close to 120 stories from tree huggers across the city.

Although each story submitted made it clear that Philadelphia is a city of tree lovers, Gail Parker’s story about her tree “Margy,” named in honor of her late cousin, was selected as the contest winner. Parker will receive nearly $300 worth of gardening supplies donated by Primex Garden Center in Glenside.

Continue learning about the contest and read the top five story submissions

PPR Wins Homeland Security Award

The City of Philadelphia was awarded a Gold Prize in Government Security News' Homeland Security Awards. Hundreds of Hikvision cameras installed in Philadelphia recreation centers helped secure a win in the category of "Most Notable Municipal Security Program, Project, or Initiative."

Continue reading about the award

Schuylkill River Boardwalk Wins Award

The Schuylkill River Trail Extension (Locust Street to South Street Boardwalk) recently won the Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award for 2014 from the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers.

Learn more about the Schuylkill River Boardwalk Project

Photo: Turkey Trot

Luckily the snow missed Philadelphia on Thanksgiving morning and over 600 people participated in the 24th Annual Fairmount Park Turkey Trot 5 Mile Run held at Memorial Hall. A great time was had by all.

In addition to taking place on PPR land, department staff provide event assistance for the Turkey Trot.

Ms. Angel Day at McIlvain Playground

On December 5, McIlvain Playground celebrated “Ms. Angel Day” in honor of Angel Brandan. Angel is in her 35th year as the Tot Recreation Teacher. The Tot Rec Room had unofficially been known as the angels room in honor of Angel and all of the angels she has taught. During a ceremony Steve Schmidt, facility supervisor, officially dedicated the room as “The Angels Room,” and a beautiful sign hung above the door was revealed.

Continue reading out Ms. Angel Day and view more pictures

FarmPhilly Update

As the 2014 growing season came to a close, Parks & Rec’s Junior Farmers celebrated this year’s bountiful harvest by carving pumpkins, saving seeds, and cooking and feasting on the produce they grew themselves. We are looking forward to a bigger and better season in 2015: the program will be adding an additional 15 new children’s gardens at recreation centers around the city!

Continue reading about what’s new with FarmPhilly

Arts & Artists Outdoors Update

As we bundle up and watch the season change to winter, we also prepare for some new changes in the A2O: Arts & Artists Outdoors program. Arts & Artists Outdoors began back in 2011 as a partnership between Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. A2O is an environmental arts program that brings youth and rising local artists to recreation facilities. Together, they create permanent or temporary artworks that highlight the nearby green space. Jocelyn Nelson, the founding program manager of A2O, will be leaving the position as of December 2014 and will be replaced by Aislinn Pentecost-Farren.

Continue reading about what’s new with A2O

The Oval Wins GPHA Award

On December 8, The Oval received a Hospitality Headliner Award for its 2014 season from the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association (GPHA). Presented at the annual GPHA Heart of Philadelphia & Scholarship Awards luncheon, the awards plaque notes that The Oval received the award “in recognition of your creativity of revitalizing a public space into a beautiful recreation space for residents and visitors.”

Photo: REACH Environmental Awareness Lesson

Roosevelt Playground is one of PPR’s REACH system sites. Part of this After School Program includes an environmental lesson each week.

A recent lesson included discussing the ocean. Children were taught about the five oceans (yes, they actually added the Southern Ocean around Antarctica in 2000) and about how sand is made. After the lesson, the children made an edible ocean and sand out of blue raspberry Jell-O, graham crackers and whipped cream. The children said it was DELICIOUS!

Photo: Bingo for the Blind

Many thanks to the PPR Staff who helped with November 21’s Bingo for the Blind at Carousel House. Pictured here is a sampling of employees who supported the event.

Video: Bridesburg Rec After School Recap

Find out what happened at Bridesburg Recreation Center’s After School program in November.

Mayor's Internship Program

The Mayor’s Internship Program is a ten-week unpaid internship for college and graduate level students beginning on June 1, 2015. Students are placed in a host department for the entirety of the internship term, participate in weekly programming every Friday and complete a group project by the end of the 10 weeks. The weekly hourly commitment is 25 hours/week. Prospective applicants need to have completed their sophomore year by June 2015.

The deadline for interested students to apply for the Mayor's Internship Program is January 30, 2015 at 5 p.m. Apply online.