APRIL, 2017

Dear Staff:

Spring is here! With it comes the return of department favorites like the Broad Street Run and LOVE Your Park Week, as well as some new initiatives and events like the NFL Draft on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of running programs, keeping our facilities clean and safe, preparing for budget hearings, and more, we’ve launched the strategic planning process to make sure we’re also thinking long-term and applying a strategy to our growth and development.

Working closely with PPR staff, we launched the “Discovery Phase” in February, reviewing a library of department documents, touring more than a dozen recreation centers and parks, and interviewing staff members throughout the department. On March 13, we hosted our first meeting of the Steering Committee, a team of 23 employees who will help guide and inform the strategic process over the next few months. The Steering Committee members are conducting additional staff interviews between now and March 31, after which the strategic planning team will analyze all of the information gathered during the Discovery Phase to identify recurring themes and ideas worth exploring through working groups.

The entire strategic planning process will last through the end of June, so there’s still plenty of time to become involved in the process if you’re interested. Please contact Moria Miller at moria.miller@phila.gov to learn how you can share your input on the department’s current strengths and weaknesses, potential opportunities and issues in the future, and expectations and suggestions for the strategic plan’s content.

In the meantime, I hope to see you at an upcoming Chat & Chew session, departmental program, or spring special event (all of which are detailed below).

Thank you, as always, for your dedicated service.

Kathryn Ott Lovell

City of Philadelphia Diversity & Inclusion Mission Statement

The City has adopted a diversity and inclusion mission statement, reflecting a commitment to the following values:

Philadelphians want our City to be world class. In order to reach that status, the Kenney Administration is committed to building a government that mirrors the diversity of the City; fosters principles of inclusion; addresses racial, ethnic, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, language and salary disparities within the workforce; lifts people from the grips of long term unemployment or poverty and reduces barriers in contracting so that everyone and every business has an opportunity within our geographical boundaries to fully participate and succeed.

Spring Activities & Events

Spring is almost here… and with it, plenty of activities and events to enjoy! We’ve got the scoop on the ways you’ll want to spend those warm, sunny days: from boating to birding, fishing to farmers’ market shopping, and beyond.

Learn more about can’t-miss events and must-do activities all over the city.

Job Opportunities

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is hiring for several seasonal positions, including seasonal park rangers, teaching artists, lifeguards, and more.

Check out our list of job opportunities!

Tacony Creek Park Healthy Trails 5K

The 5th Annual Healthy Trails 5K Run/Walk in Tacony Creek Park is on a fully paved, stroller-friendly trail beginning and ending on the Friends Hospital Campus (4641 Roosevelt Blvd). Bring the whole family: Sunday, April 9, 8-10:30am!

Learn more and register online.

A2O Spring Session Community Days

Presented in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia, Arts & Artists Outdoors (A2O) offers Philadelphia youth a unique experience: art education combined with environmental awareness, culminating in the creation of a site-specific artistic project! Each of the five A2O sites will host two events – a Community Day and a Dedication Day – to engage members of the public.

Check out the full schedule of A2O Spring Session Community Days.

TreePhilly Spring Yard Tree Giveaway Registration

Registration for TreePhilly’s spring Yard Tree Giveaway season is now open! TreePhilly is a program of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Fairmount Park Conservancy, and TD Bank. Philadelphia residents can register for two free yard trees per property. Select from four pick-up date options and a variety of large and medium shade trees, small flowering trees, and fruit trees. Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins will be accepted during each event, while supplies last. At each event you will learn how to plant and care for your new tree, and you will take it home with free mulch. 

Learn more and register for your trees.

BirdPhilly Spring Update

Ready to explore the outdoors this spring? Take to the wing with BirdPhilly, an organization that plans birding field trips throughout Philadelphia. In addition to regular walks and talks, you can learn more about Philadelphia’s avian activity at the inaugural Wood Duck and Warbler Festival, on May 13 at the Wissahickon Environmental Center (300 W Northwestern Ave)! If you’d like to explore on your own schedule, you can now check out birding backpacks from Andorra, Cecil B. Moore, and Widener Libraries.

Learn more about exploring the city with BirdPhilly this spring.

Public Property Staff Members Join PPR

We’re pleased to welcome quite a few new faces to PPR, joining us from the Department of Public Property! In February 2017, the Parks & Recreation Team of the Department of Public Property’s Capital Projects Division joined the Parks & Recreation Department. This move will strengthen PPR by better integrating the Capital Projects staff with the Operations and Program Divisions of the City’s Park & Recreation department. Their expertise and professional knowledge will be an added value to the portfolio that will enable PPR to directly manage Capital improvements throughout the city.

Meet the new team members.

Philly Spring Cleanup

The Streets Department is hosting the 10th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup on Saturday, April 8 from 9am-2pm. Thousands of volunteers will participate in service projects throughout the city, including recreation centers, parks, and playgrounds. Join us to help clean the city and keep it looking its best!

Learn more about the 10th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup.

Daniel Day at Campbell Square

Together with the Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will be hosting "Daniel Day" in honor of this year's Pennsylvania One Book Every Young Child Literacy Program's selection for 2017: Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer. Join us as we recreate some activities that Daniel does in the book as we wait for the arrival of the author herself, Ms. Micha Archer, to read the story! This event is free and open to the public, although it is recommended people RSVP to mary-grace.gorman@phila.gov.  You can join the fun on Tuesday April 18, 12:30pm at Campbell Square (Belgrade St & Allegheny Ave).

Learn more about the Pennsylvania One Book, Every Young Child Program and about the Free Library of Philadelphia.

RFQ: Site-specific Artwork for Fishtown Recreation Center

On March 7, the City of Philadelphia’s Percent for Art Program, through the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, announced a $37,000 competition to commission a site-specific artwork for Fishtown Recreation Center. This commission is part of the $1.5 million Lederer Pool Replacement at Fishtown Recreation Center by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.

The deadline for submissions in March 29. Read the full Requests for Qualifications call to artists.

Philadelphia’s Other Squares

William Penn first designed Philadelphia as a city with a simplistic grid pattern featuring public green spaces including five public squares: one for each quadrant of the city and one marking the center. These five squares—Logan, Franklin, Rittenhouse, Washington, and Center (where City Hall and Dilworth Park are located today)—reflect Philadelphia’s rich history and function as a mainstay in Center City.

In addition to these five well-known Center City squares, there are many other squares throughout Philadelphia which also have rich histories and provide important access to green space for those living in the communities that surround them. 

To read the history of Philly's squares, learn about three featured squares (Jefferson, Mifflin, and Campbell), and see the full list of 21 squares in Philly's park system, visit our blog!

Philly Cup Skateboard Series

The Philly Cup Skateboard Series is an annual Philadelphia Parks & Recreation event. Starting in the spring, participants will perform in several competitions throughout the city, earning points toward the winning title at the finale. The skateboarders will be judged on style, consistency, technique, and amplitude. The top point earner in each age group will win the coveted “Philly Cup.” Since points will be counted April through September, participants that enter more events will have a better chance of winning the title. We’re kicking things off at Pop’s Playground (2554 Trenton Ave) on April 22. Come out to show us what you got!

Registration is taken on-site the day of each event from 11:00 to 11:45am, with a $5 fee. The competition begins at 12 noon and is open to all ages.

Learn more about the Philly Cup Skateboard Series.

Cherry Blossom Festival

The weeklong Cherry Blossom Festival (April 1-9) returns to Philly for the twentieth year, April 1-9. The festival is based on hanami, the Japanese custom of celebrating the start of spring by observing the blossoming of the beautiful cherry tree flowers. The celebration embraces Japanese culture, music, art, food, and entertainment through a variety of events. To catch some spectacular views of the blooming cherry trees, be sure to visit the Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park during the festival. For a perfect end to the week, return to the Horticulture Center for Sakura Sunday, where you’ll enjoy live music and dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, karaoke, and much more. Cherry trees only bloom for a short amount of time, so don’t forget your camera!

Check out the full Cherry Blossom Festival calendar of events.

Be Outside, Skateboard, and Nature Camps

It’s time to start thinking about summer break! If you’re searching for some exciting way kids can spend their out-of-school days, look no further than PPR summer camps and outdoor experiences. Registration is now open for:

Learn more, including fees, times, and locations.

East Park Canoe House Dedication

On March 9, the award-winning newly restored East Park Canoe House was dedicated by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR), Temple University and philanthropist Gerry Lenfest. The $5 million East Park Canoe House Rehabilitation Project is a culmination of eight years of preservation efforts by PPR to save this one-of-a-kind recreational structure. The project will receive a Grand Jury Award for historic preservation by the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia in June.  

Learn more about the dedication and the story of this historic structure.

Reminder: Unity Cup Info Sessions

Want to register a soccer team for the 2017 Philadelphia International Unity Cup? The final two info sessions for this year’s tournament are:

Learn more about the Unity Cup tournament, including what’s new this year.

2017 Philadelphia Activities Grant

Applications for the 2017 Philadelphia Activities Fund Grant are now available! The Philadelphia Activities Fund, Inc., is a non-profit corporation established by the Mayor and City Council to foster and promote the educational values of sportsmanship, the arts, and health to individuals in Philadelphia. The Fund offers financial support to programs and organizations that encourage the instruction and education of individuals. Applications for fiscal year 2018 must be submitted by May 1, 2017.

Learn more and submit your application for the Philadelphia Activities Fund Grant!

Tarken Hockey Camp

Tarken Ice Rink in Oxford Circle will be continuing its spring hockey camp this year! Running April 5 through May 6, the camp will offer five weeks of dry land and on-ice training, with 10 sessions total: five Wednesdays from 6-9pm and five Saturdays from 10am-1pm. This is a high-intensity camp that is designed to push players another notch in their development, giving local hockey players an elite-style program at an affordable rate.

To register or learn more, stop by the rink at 6250 Frontenac St or call (215) 685-1226.

Reminder: Performances in Public Spaces Grants

The deadline to apply for this year’s Performances in Public Spaces Grants is 5pm on March 27. Performances in Public Spaces is a program that delivers meaningful, cultural experiences in Philadelphia’s communities and provides opportunities for Philadelphians and their families to see high quality performances in their neighborhoods for free. Philadelphia artists, individuals and organizations are invited to partner with one or more designated Performances in Public Spaces locations on the submission of proposals for free neighborhood-based public performances in 2017.

Submit your application now to perform in one of Philadelphia’s public spaces this summer!

Storytelling Campfires at Pennypack Environmental Center

Enjoy an evening of stories around the campfire behind the Environmental Center (8600 Verree Road)! All campfires are free, begin at 7:30PM, and will be followed by marshmallows to toast. Join the fun on the following Fridays: April 7, May 19, June 9, July 7, August 11, and September 15. 

Dr. Seuss Day at Bridesburg and Rivera Rec Centers

On Thursday, March 2, kids at Bridesburg and Rivera Rec Centers celebrated Dr. Seuss’ Birthday in true Seuss style: with Green Eggs and Ham, Cat in the Hat snacks, and storytime! Special guests and other surprises added to a great day. 

Learn more about the festivities at Bridesburg and Rivera Rec Centers.

Customer Service Corner

March’s theme: Understand the value of respecting all customers.

Author Zig Zigler once wrote: “If people like you they will listen to you, but if they trust you, they’ll do business with you.” Remember that customers have a choice. Parks and recreation is not something that anyone HAS to be part of. Your customers choose you! Be conscious of this – remember to thank your customers! A business cannot stay in business without them! 

Chat and Chew

Thanks to Mary Grace Gorman (Pennypack Environmental Center), Willicent Lane (Philadelphia Youth Network/WorkReady), Karin Smerker (Program), and Debbie Darroyo (Program), for attending the first monthly Chat & Chew with Commissioner Ott Lovell on February 24.

To sign up for a future lunch, ask the commissioner your questions, and share your ideas for the department, please email Gail.O'Brien@Phila.gov.

Social Media Update

Over the last month, our followers were mostly interested in posts about job opportunities, TreePhilly Yard Tree Giveaways, maple sugar days, the Citywide Tumbling Championship, the new Soccer for Success program, a New York Times article featuring Commissioner Ott Lovell, and Environmental Education Planner Tony Croasdale’s guide to finding foxes in Philly’s park system. Additionally, with snowstorm Stella’s arrival, we were able to share some snow-related content (from the Operations crew’s snow preparation to pretty photos of our parks blanketed in snow), which gained a lot of engagement across all three platforms.

Download our overview of the top social media posts in the last month.

John Kirchenbauer Inducted Into North Catholic Soccer Hall of Fame

Congratulations are in order for the new Recreation Leader 3 at Feltonville, John Kirchenbauer! The same week he received his promotion, John was notified that he will be the newest inductee into the North Catholic Soccer Hall of Fame. John was an all-Catholic League player for the Falcons, and helped lead them to a Catholic League Championship in 1999, 2001, and his senior year of 2002. He currently serves as the PPR Indoor Soccer Chairperson and joins Matt Comey and Tim Comey as PPR personnel who are enshrined in the North Catholic Soccer Hall of Fame.

Learn more about John’s achievements!

DiSilvestro’s T.A.T.T.O.O. Program

Every second Wednesday of each month, DiSilvestro Playground hosts T.A.T.T.O.O.: "Tough Answers, Tough Topics, Often Overlooked." These monthly sessions are led by Pastor David Ings and are designed to challenge the minds of our youth in the community and to raise their awareness regarding common cultural behavior ills that result in passive-aggressive dispositions, low self-esteem, multidisciplinary adolescent issues, and incarceration. Each month a different theme is discussed; March’s theme was ‘Community.’ About fifteen young people ages 8-19 were educated on how to contribute and help foster their community using positivity and benevolence. The evening concluded with pizza for all and even a few laughs!

Staff Profile: Fernando Reyes

Fernando Reyes is a Grounds Facilities Maintenance Worker 1 at Fox Chase Recreation Center in Northeast Philadelphia. He started his career with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in January 2016, after previously working for a contracting company in the private sector.

Learn more about Fernando’s busy days at Fox Chase!

PPR Staff Attend Municipal Forestry Institute

From February 19-24, PPR staff members Lori Hayes and Tom Witmer attended the Municipal Forestry Institute (MFI) at a retreat center in Lake Arrowhead, CA. The MFI is an intensive training in the leadership and managerial aspects of urban forestry. It is taught by practicing urban forestry professionals from around the US who have years of experience leading urban forestry programs in various sectors. Key topics covered were: leadership; strategic thinking and planning; working effectively with boards, committees, etc.; and managing the relationship between people and trees. Practical concepts were covered on a wide range of issues, such as goal-setting, communicating effectively, managing meetings and giving presentations. The training was an excellent “springboard” for Lori and Tom to better manage the street trees and forests in the city. Both participants received a grant from the Pennsylvania Urban & Community Forestry Council to cover a portion of the expenses. Three other PPR staff attended MFI in past years, including Erica Smith Fichman, Curtis Helm, and Ben Stanko.

Rebuild Info Sheets

We’ve been talking a lot about Rebuild over the past few months! In case you have any lingering questions – or if your community members would like an update – we’ve created a handy factsheet about the program. Feel free to print, share, and spread the word about this exciting initiative.

Download the fact sheet: “11 Facts About Rebuild”

Operational Standards Hellos and Goodbyes

The seasonal carousel that is PPR's Operational Standards office continues to spin, and I wanted to take the time to thank some of the great folks who've been doing Facility Inspections, revamping our 311 system, tracking data, and helping many of you keep your facilities looking better than ever!

If you see them soon, say hello or goodbye, and read on to learn more about our crew!

Staff Changes

New Hire:
Richard Houck, Recreation Leader Trainee (Reinstatement)

Promotions:
Natalie Felix, Recreation Leader Trainee
Steve Irving, Recreation Outreach Worker
John Kirchenbauer, Recreation Leader 3

Promotion with Interdepartmental Transfer:
Rochelle Baillie, Fiscal Officer

Separation:
Carol Briggs, Recreation Leader 2

Kendrick Kippettes

From February 24-26, the Kendrick Kippette Gymnastics Team competed in the Pink Invitational.  The Kendrick Kippettes are the first USAG-sanctioned gymnastics team within PPR and are fierce! The Pink Invitational is a National Gymnastics meet that draws kids from around the country to the Philadelphia Convention Center. The Pink is also a fundraiser for Unite for HER, raising awareness of breast cancer.

Rivera and Schmidt Hit the Ice at Scanlon Rink

The Rivera After School Program had tried out their skills on the ice several months ago, and this time Beth Perkowski invited some of the Schmidt Playground children to join in the fun. On Monday, March 6, the adventure began…

Learn more about these young skaters’ afternoon on the ice!

Martin Luther King Rec Center Hosts USA Basketball 3x3 Tournament

On February 18, Martin Luther King Recreation Center, Felix Agosto (MVP360), and Jamal Coleman (MLK Supervisor) celebrated a great victory! Felix Agosto of MVP360 partners with the Philadelphia 76ers, Phillies, and Eagles to help bring sponsorship to our neighborhood kids through athleticism. Players competed in the first ever USA Basketball and FIBA 3X3 tournament for Philadelphia/MLK. MLK 1 took the victory and will now compete against other national teams on April 7th at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado!

Alliance for a Healthier Generation: Rec Center Updates

MLK, Mander, Athletic, and Mill Creek Recreation Centers are four of 16 Alliance for a Healthier Generation sites. Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a national organization that assists after-school programs in programming. More specifically, they help sites build and maintain national standards for nutrition and physical activity. On February 17, Meka Perez, Nutrition Coordinator for PPR/Get Healthy Philly, and Hamzeh Abuyounis of the Health Promotion Council visited sites to celebrate their achievements and to assist in setting wellness goals for Summer Programming.

Learn more about the great work these sites are doing.

Junod Playground’s Tot Rec Campfire Program

On February 8, Northeast Philadelphia’s Junod Playground's Tot Rec Program had its annual "Campfire Program," given by Mary Grace Gorman of the Outdoor Experience program. The children learned all about camp safety, what gear they need to go camping, how to set up a tent, all about nature and the animals that are in the woods, and most importantly, campfire safety. It was all smiles, big eyes, and enjoyment for these new young outdoorspeople!

Snow Operations

With the arrival of Winter Storm Stella, PPR Operations Staff leapt into action to keep facilities safe! Deputy Commissioner Sue Buck shared photos of District 1 Operations Staff working hard to remove snow at Torresdale Playground. To the left, Grounds Maintenance Worker 2 Danny Smith operates a skid steer. In the photo at right, Brian Merrigan (Grounds Maintenance Worker 2) and George Watson (Grounds & Facilities Maintenance Worker 1) unload salt spreaders to assist with snow removal.

Shot Tower Playground’s Toddler Spanish Club

Queen Village’s Shot Tower Playground holds a Toddler Spanish Club on Wednesday mornings. This group is designed to encourage children to absorb the Spanish language and culture through play, music, and activities. Participants are learning Spanish songs, the colors, shapes, emotions, greetings, and everyday conversation pieces.

Learn more about Shot Tower’s Toddler Spanish Club!

Carousel House Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

From March 3-5, the 36th Annual Carousel House Wheelchair Basketball Tournament took place at Carousel House Recreation Center and The High School of the Future. The weekend brought together 16 teams from all throughout the east coast. As usual, this tournament would not be possible without all the hard work and dedication of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation staff, specifically those at Carousel House, who spend several months planning to make sure the weekend goes off without a hitch. PPR congratulates all of the athletes, staff, and volunteers on a job well done!

Learn more about this year’s Carousel House Wheelchair Basketball Tournament.

Penrose Playground and Creative Kids Club

Penrose Playground was excited to be able to support Creative Kids Club as they prepared for their upcoming event. Creative developed and designed about 250 hula hoops that will be given away at their event on March 29. Good luck, guys, and thanks for the partnership.

TreePhilly Spring Yard Tree Giveaway Kick-off

PPR Park Manager II Robin Klink took this selfie with her new friends Preston and Steve from 93.3 WMMR at TreePhilly’s Spring Yard Tree Giveaway kick-off!

Holmesburg Tot Rec Valentine’s Day

On February 14, Valentine's Day, the Holmesburg Tot Rec program welcomed visitors from our local firehouse. The Tot Rec children learned safety tips from our friendly firefighters, and the children and Tot Rec staff had an opportunity to take a tour of the fire truck. This special event happens each year at Holmesburg Recreation Center. 

Video: Bridesburg Rec Center’s After School Report

What’s new at Bridesburg Rec Center’s After School program? Watch their February report to find out!

Countdown to Philly Spring Cleanup

PPR staff assisted the Streets Department with the countdown to the 10th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup, held at Hunting Park on March 8. Operations and Program staff worked together to prep the site and ensure that it was a successful event. In the photo, left to right: Commissioner Carlton Williams, Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, Mayor Jim Kenney, Leroy “Chuck” Fisher, Lennon Edwards, Esq., Dante Mills, Esq.