JUNE, 2015

Parks Build Community Results

On May 18, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) announced the winners of its Parks Build Community competition. Glavin Playground won first place in Philadelphia and will be beautified with its $20,000 prize. Existing safety surfacing will be removed to make room for new green space at the park, including container gardens, seating and nature-play elements.

As a pleasant surprise, Pennypack Environmental Center was a write-in winner and will receive funding as well! Inspired by the level of excitement exhibited at all three facilities that participated in this opportunity, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center’s participation with a garden rehab and programming assistance.

Through a public voting process, the Parks Build Community program, a collaboration among NRPA, Disney, ABC and ESPN, awarded 15 communities throughout the United States resources to improve local parks through projects that connect kids with nature, promote healthy living and provide access to sports.

Grow Up Green Summer Programs

This summer Grow Up Green, PPR's environmental education and nature play program designed to connect young children with nature, is popping up in several parks.

Download the Summer 2015 Grow Up Green flyer for a list of the program’s dates and times in Smith Memorial Playground, the Pine Road Pavilion, Sister Cities Park and FDR Park.

Another Season of Dell Music Center Entertainment

This summer, the Dell Music Center returns with another exciting lineup of artists and entertainment.

Thus far, the Dell has announced the following performances:

• June 27: Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, “Fire and Ice”
• July 9: Patti LaBelle, Jeff Bradshaw & Friends, Pamela Williams
• July 10: McDonald’s 2015 Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour
• July 16: SuperJam Featuring Rose Royce, Heatwave, Bloodstone, and the Chi-Lites
• August 6: Anthony Hamilton & Lyfe Jennings
• August 22: Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, “Black Pearl POPS!”
• August 27 Larry Graham & Graham Central Station, Bootsy Collins and Breakwater

Follow Dell Music Center on Facebook for show announcements and visit http://mydelleast.com for ticket information.

Future Sensations at The Oval

From Saturday, May 30 through Saturday, June 6, a never-before-seen global exhibition will provide an experiential journey of science, storytelling and art at The Oval.

Making its only U.S. tour stop in Philadelphia, "Future Sensations" celebrates the 350th anniversary of one of the world’s largest building materials companies, Saint-Gobain, which was founded in 1665 and has been involved in building such iconic sights around the world as the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, the glass pyramid at the Louvre and the Statue of Liberty.

Learn more about Future Sensations

CALL FOR ARTISTS: Arts & Artists Outdoors Environmental Artist-in-Residence Program

Arts and Artists Outdoors (A2O) is an environmental artist residency run by the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Each artist is paired with a selected recreation center, where they work with youth to create a site-specific public artwork based on an ecological theme. A2O aligns Parks & Recreation’s objective to develop high-level practices and leadership in “out of school” activities with Mural Arts’ mission to unite artists and communities through a collaborative process that transforms public spaces and individual lives.

Learn more about this opportunity (scroll to the bottom of the page)

Mud Day

Join us as we celebrate International Mud Day! Mud kitchens! Mud bath! Mud art! Mud play! Mud science!

Who: Children ages 2-5 (parent must stay with child)

When: Tuesday, June 9, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: Pennypack Environmental Center (8600A Verree Road)

How: Register before Friday, June 5 by emailing mary-grace.gorman@phila.gov or calling (215) 685-0470. A completed application and signed waiver are necessary to participate in this event. Cost is $5 per child.

Download the Mud Day 2015 flyer

Philadelphia Games

June 6-12 & July 18, 2015

Open to all Philadelphia County residents age 50 and over, the Philadelphia Games offers something for everyone, from a friendly game of pinochle or scrabble, to a triathlon for the serious athlete.

Registration Fee: $10 by May 22 ($15 after May 23)

Visit www.philadelphiagames.org for more information.

New Yoga Classes at Gustine Recreation Center

Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m.

Gustine Recreation Center (4868 Ridge Avenue)

$7 per class; 4-class card for $24; 10-class card for $50

Class is designed for adults of all levels, ages, shapes and sizes. First class is free! Bring a yoga mat and water and anything else to feel comfortable (cushion, blocks, blanket). There will be a limited number of mats available if you don’t have one.

Learn more about Yoga Class at Gustine

Ladies at the Pumptrack Series

Join the Fairmount Park Conservancy, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and Women Bike PHL for a group ride to the Philly Pumptrack in West Fairmount Park and try it out! Rides will take place the mornings of June 14, July 12, August 9 and October 18. Learn more and join an event.

Citation for Steve Schmidt

On April 18, Recreation Leader I Steve Schmidt received a commendation from State Representative Jason Dawkins. This citation in part reads, "Steve Schmidt has excelled in his position as Facility Supervisor at McIlvain Playground, and has increased programming and expanded activities the park offers, becoming an invaluable asset to the community." This honor was bestowed on Steve personally by State Representative Dawkins. This was also a goodbye of sorts for Mr. Schmidt, who has been assigned as the acting Recreation Leader II at Cherashore Recreation Center in District 3. It is both congratulations and good luck from everyone in District 2!

Design Selection for LOVE Park

On April 30, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Fairmount Park Conservancy unveiled the final Hargreaves Associates design for LOVE Park/JFK Plaza. Download the slideshow presentation to learn more (PDF, 63MB).

Athletic Rec Center Boxer Goes the Distance against World Heavyweight Boxing Champion

On April 25, Athletic Recreation Center’s Bryant Jennings and his trainer Fred Jenkins were on center stage as Jennings squared off against World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Wladimir Klitschko. Some writers had said that not much was expected from Jennings based on several factors. They all seemed to lean on the fact that Jennings (19-0, 10 KO) had only been boxing for a little more than 6 years while the much more experienced Klitschko (63-3, 53 KO), nicknamed Dr. Steelhammer, had successfully defended his title 22 consecutive times.

Bryant Jennings was always an athlete. In high school at Ben Franklin, he played football and basketball and threw the shot-put. While hanging around the Athletic Recreation Center, after playing pickup basketball, Jennings decided to enter the Boxing Gym. It was at this time that Jennings spoke with Recreation Leader I Fred Jenkins and told him that he wanted to try boxing. Fred Jenkins is a “neighborhood guy” who has been around 26th & Master his entire life. Fred has also been in boxing for over 43 years, training the likes of Champions Choo-Choo Charlie Brown, Marvin Garris, Rockin’ Rodney Moore, Zahir Raheem, David Reid, Malik Scott, Randy Griffin and Anthony “The Messenger” Thompson. In Fred’s own words, “I started all those guys from scratch. I worked with all those guys, learning their ups and downs, and the ins and outs of boxing.” Both Jennings (previously a building mechanic at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia AND a Lifeguard I at Athletic) and Jenkins are tireless workers, and anyone who observes them in action will leave in awe and admiration of their drive and commitment.

Continue reading about Bryant Jennings’s fight

Open Source at Paine’s Park

On June 5, Mural Arts' highly anticipated Open Source exhibition kicks off with the unveiling of two skateable sculptures by Jonathan Monk inside of Paine's Park, Philadelphia's premier skate park. Monk's work is inspired by classic minimalist sculpture, but instead of remaining pristine, these sculptures won't be truly complete until they've been skated on and beaten up by Philadelphia's skate community.

Don't miss out on this chance to check out the first of 14 major public art projects coming between now and October! This free, all-ages Open Source event features skate demos, live music from Chill Moody and DJ Ricochet, food trucks, and more! Bring your boards and help us christen Philadelphia's newest public sculptures.

Learn more at http://opensource.muralarts.org/

Throwback Photo: Kingsessing Recreation Center

It was May of 1967 when all these muscle men gathered at Kingsessing Recreation Center to compete in the citywide weightlifting championship.

Farmers' Markets in PPR Parks

While there are several year-round farmers' markets in PPR parks, spring and summer offer expanded locations and offerings! Visit the parks below to enjoy fresh, local, healthy foods.

• Clark Park (43rd Street & Baltimore Avenue), Thursdays, 3-7 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.*
• Fitler Square (23rd & Pine Streets), Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.*
• Schuylkill River Park (25th & Spruce Streets), Wednesdays, 3-7 p.m.*
• Hunting Park (Old York Road & West Hunting Park Avenue), Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.*
• Dickinson Square (Moyamensing Avenue & Morris Street), Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.**
• Mander Recreation Center (North 33rd Street & Diamond Street), Thursdays, 2-6 p.m.*
• Rittenhouse Square (18th & Walnut Streets), Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.**
• FJ Myers Recreation Center (58th Street & Chester Avenue), Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m.*
• Gorgas Park (Ridge Avenue & Acorn Street), Fridays, 2-6 p.m.**
• Pleasant Playground (Chew Avenue & E. Pleasant Street), Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m.*
• Henry Got Crops Farm Stand (7095 Henry Avenue), Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.***

* In partnership with The Food Trust and Get Healthy Philly

** In partnership with Farm to City

***In partnership with Weaver’s Way Co-op

Broad Street Run 2015

Behind the Scenes Photos of Run Preparations

This year, Gustine Recreation Center offered behind-the-scenes glimpses of the preparation by PPR staff and volunteers for the Broad Street Run--from T-shirt mailings to bag packing to radio distribution.

View behind-the-scenes preparation photos

Video: Walking tour of the runners bag assembly area

Video: View from above of the runners bag assembly area

Volunteers an Integral Part of Broad Street Run's Success

An event as big as the Broad Street Run depends on the hard work of hundreds of volunteers to ensure the entire weekend runs smoothly. Volunteers assist at the two-day Health and Wellness Expo, along with setup the day before the event and various tasks on race day. This year, assignments included food packing, handing out water along the course and at the finish line, medal distribution, clothing collection, course marshaling, finish line clean up and much more. Without these efforts, the Broad Street Run could not have been a success or as enjoyable for the 30,000+ runners who participated. A big thank you to all who dedicated their time and energy, and we hope to see you next year!

2015 East Coast Greenway National Summit

The 2015 East Coast Greenway National Summit was held this year in Philadelphia, and the organizers chose Lloyd Hall in East Fairmount Park as their location. The East Coast Greenway connects major cities from the Canadian border to Key West, Florida. First Deputy Commissioner Mark Focht spoke at the event, highlighting the work Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is undertaking to make the East Coast Greenway a reality in Philadelphia by designing and constructing several trails that, upon completion, will be part of the larger East Coast Greenway. These include: Baxter Trail (in construction) and the K & T Trail with DRCC, the South to Christian Trail and the Schuylkill Crossing at Gray’s Ferry with SRDC, as well as Bartram’s Mile and the Cobbs Creek Connector Trail. First Deputy Focht and ECG Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager Andy Hamilton also unveiled a new sign and map on Lloyd Hall highlighting the East Coast Greenway in Philadelphia. For more information on the East Coast Greenway, visit http://www.greenway.org

PPR Jobs

Check out these open positions at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation!

• Environmental Education Planner
• Public Event Coordinators, The Oval
• Archives Specialist
• Lifeguards

Jardel Gymnastics Show

Over 200 gymnasts took part in the Jardel Recreation Center Gymnastic program shows. Over three days, parents, family and friends were able to see the girls demonstrate what they’ve learned at Jardel. Each gymnast showed her skills on the bounce beam, uneven bars, floor and vault. The gym at Jardel was packed with standing room for each show. Congratulations to all of the participants and coaches on job well done!

Find Your Path Story: Mike Ives, Sr., Scanlon Recreation Center/Ice Rink

I moved to the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia with my family in 1979, and quickly found myself spending a majority of my time at Scanlon Recreation Center with new friends. Despite the fact that I had never been on ice skates before, I took an immediate interest in the hockey rink and found that hockey and ice skating came naturally to me. Simply stated, I was hooked! I soon took a job as a Pool Maintenance Attendant, working summers at the pool, and eventually earned a position as an Ice Rink Attendant in 1984. It was incredible, a dream job! I couldn’t believe that I was being paid to spend time on my skates and at the rink.

Continue reading Mike’s Scanlon story

Vare Gymnastics Team Competes in State Gymnastics Championship Competition

The Vare Gymnastics Team (VGT) went to Erie, PA for its State Gymnastics Championship Competition, competing on May 3. There were 400 Xcel Gold competitors at this level. The girls competed in four events: uneven bars, beam, floor and table vault. All of the girls did beautiful routines on each event.

Egypt Harper won first on floor with a score of 9.725, first on beam with a score of 9.5, second on bars and sixth on vault. She also won second all around, which means her scores were high enough to put her in second out of 15. Asia Harper won third on floor with a score of 9.325 out of about 13 to 14 competitors. Aliyah Wesley won second on vault with a score of 8.925 out of 14 competitors. Vanessa Williams won sixth on bars with a score of 8.85 out of 16 competitors.

The coaches are very proud of all the girls and the hard work and dedication that it takes to do gymnastics. Doing routines over and over again can be difficult, but not for the VGT’s!

Doris Gwaltney: A Citizen Who Stood Up for Her Park

It often takes just one person to ignite a change. For Carroll Park in West Philadelphia, that person was Doris Gwaltney. A lifetime resident of the surrounding West Philadelphia neighborhood, Doris would often fondly recall the story of when, in the 1930s, her parents would “court” in the park, as Carroll Park was once the place to see and be seen on a Sunday afternoon. Sadly, Carroll Park slowly fell victim to the passage of time and benign neglect. Once the crown jewel of the neighborhood, the park fell into disarray and soon became a location that neighbors actively avoided. Spurred by personal ties and fond memories, along with a determination to return the park to the neighborhood, Doris and a handful of West Philadelphia residents formed the Carroll Park Neighbors Advisory Council in 1997. It was with the formation of this group, the pendulum of the park’s future started to swing towards the positive.

Continue reading about Doris’s work in Carroll Park

Roosevelt Playground Updates

After School Lesson: Anemometers

On April 30, the children in the Roosevelt Playground After School program made anemometers-- an instrument used for measuring the speed of the wind. The project was led by the engineers from Villanova who are working on the rainwater recycling project here and have done a STEM activity with the After School program each month.

The children received an explanation of what an anemometer does then made several with help from the Villanova team. After they were made, the children took them outside and rotations were recorded. Luckily, Mother Nature cooperated by giving us a windy day. Thanks to the great team from Villanova and our After School staff for helping with this unique learning experience.

Spring Fling

On May 2, Roosevelt Playground held its 5th annual Spring Fling. The weather was perfect, and the crowd was our best yet! The Fling had a moon bounce, dry slide, string band and disc jockey. Our pricing theme featured back to the 80s pricing, and the crowd bought their appetite. In about two hours we served almost 200 hot dogs, 100 pretzels, 5 cases of soda and 4 cases of water.

Thanks to the After School staff and local volunteers who helped make our event a success.

STEM Lesson at Roosevelt Playground

On May 7, the children in the Roosevelt Playground After School program had a short lesson on the moon. They learned about the average temperatures on the moon, its distance from Earth, gravity, how Earth's tides are controlled by the moon, and who the first person to walk on the moon was. Afterward, the children made "moon cookies" -- chocolate chip cookies with different colored icing on top to represent different craters seen on the moon. As is the usual practice, the children got to eat their creation. Once again, Haegley's bakery supplied the treats enjoyed by both staff and children.

District 1 Track Meet

On May 6, over 140 after school participants from Fitzpatrick Playground, Pelbano Recreation Center, Ramp Playground and Jardel Recreation Center participated in the District 1 Track Meet. This is the first of an annual after school event to take place in District 1. The kids, ages 5-13, participated in 8 events, and everyone received a medal. All of the staff and participants had a great time! Thank you to Father Judge Athletic Director Jimmy Lynch for use of their facilities. Thank you to Eric Kurtz, supervisor of Ramp Playground, for organizing the event.

New Green Community Playground at Hank Gathers Recreation Center

On May 12, Mayor Michael A. Nutter, City Council President Darrell L. Clarke, Deputy Mayor/Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis and The Trust for Public Land hosted a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of a new green playground at the Hank Gathers Recreation Center in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood of North Philadelphia.

Community amenities at the playground include new play equipment and swings with safety surfacing, a spray park, upgraded seating areas, a picnic grove under a canopy of trees, a walking path and new fencing.

The project is the second of ten planned sites to be completed through a public/private partnership between the City of Philadelphia, The Trust for Public Land, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and a variety of other partners. The initiative is part of Mayor Nutter’s comprehensive plan to significantly increase outdoor recreational opportunities and green infrastructure in underserved neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia.

What’s In a Name?

This is an ongoing series about how PPR facilities and parks got their names.

• SAMUEL RECREATION CENTER – Samuel is named for the last Republican Mayor of Philadelphia, Bernard Samuel
• CIONE PLAYGROUND – On July 20, 1972, the City of Philadelphia named this facility in honor of Patrolman Fredrick J. Cione, Badge # 6398, killed in the line of duty on January 30, 1970. This remains the only unsolved murder of a police officer in Philadelphia’s history.
• FISHTOWN RECREATION CENTER – The name Fishtown is a reflection on the fishing and fish cannery industries that were prominent in that area (Delaware River to Frankford Avenue to Norris Street to Girard Avenue) in the late 18th thru the early 20th century. Before that, the area was known as Shackamaxon.
• CARMELLA PLAYGROUND – Named after Carmella Ditizio, who has been active at the facility since 1958. She was part of the first Advisory Council, and was active in the construction of the building as well as the reconstruction of the outside play space. She was a recipient of a Mayoral Award for her 30 years of community service. Carmella passed away in 2011 at the age of 86. Previously, the facility was named Whitehall, and was a popular softball site.

Many thanks to Jamie Lohse, Dennis Seddon, Carolyn Fitzhenry and Ed Carpenter for their help.

Shiro Morita Visits from Japan

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation was recently visited by Shiro Morita, a professor from Senshu University in Tokyo, Japan. Professor Morita spent time visiting alternative schools for high school students and young adults. He also met with Parks & Recreation staff and visited several after school programs. Children learned how to say “hello” and “thank you” in Japanese.

Lower Mayfair Gymnastics News

A future generation of talented gymnasts was on display at St. Timothy's Hall on April 16 for the annual Lower Mayfair Playground Gymnastics Show. The season ending event, performed before a jam-packed arena of family and friends, capped a season full of practices, instruction and competitions for the young gymnasts.

The girls, in several different skill levels groups, shone brightly as they put on a dazzling display of tumbles, tucks and hand springs set to the background music of some of today's music stars. The girls ranged in age from 4 to 14.

Continue reading about Lower Mayfair Gymnastics

Find Your Path to Wheel Fun Rentals

“The best part of my job is sending people to different parts of the city so they can explore it as a local,” says Ashton Seiwell, who oversees operations for Wheel Fun Rentals in Philadelphia. “Interacting with people on a daily basis and seeing those smiles when they return. We never get sick of those smiles.” It is with this positive attitude and desire to connect more people with bicycles and a fun outdoor activity that Wheel Fun Rentals has become the hub of recreational and interactive bicycle experiences in Philadelphia. Partnering with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation since 2012, Wheel Fun Rentals allows both visitors and residents alike to explore the city and interact with key points of interest on a more intimate level. Through their interactive self-guided tours, extensive fleet of wheeled vehicles and serious attention to detail, Wheel Fun Rentals has created a unique opportunity of fun fitness and allowed thousands to experience Philadelphia like they never have before.

Continue reading about Wheel Fun Rentals

New Public Access Computing Center at 12th and Cambria

On May 13, a new public access computing center was opened at the 12th and Cambria Recreation Center. The computing center, named the Brother Kareem Lutfee Ali Media Education Room for a beloved recreation staff member and community leader, has 8 Dell computers donated by Temple University’s Office of Sustainability Computer Recycling Center and is open to the public from 3-8 p.m. Monday-Friday. All of the computers have high speed internet access, paid for by the Advisory Council, which strongly supported the creation of the center. There is a printer/scanner available for public use, and there is MORE TO COME!

Continue reading about the Brother Kareem Lutfee Ali Media Education Room

Energy-saving Tip of the Month

Shield windows from the outside with blinds, awnings or shutters and plant trees or tall shrubs to filter sunlight before it enters your house.

Video: Bridesburg After School Report

Watch this video to find out what happened in Bridesburg Recreation Center’s After School program this April.

District 2 Pitch, Hit, and Run

On April 29, Parks & Recreation District 2 held their Pitch, Hit and Run Competition. 35 children representing 7 different facilities participated, with the winners slated to go to the City Wide competition. Kudos to all the District 2 Staff, led by Andy McLaughlin (Disston Rec. Center), for all their hard work!

Video: A Walk through Pennypack Park

Transport yourself to the Pennypack trails with this video by Recreation Leader John McBride. Also note that the soundtrack features a song by the band the Hooligans, including PPR staff member Luke Jardel.