JULY, 2017

Dear Staff:

We care for a treasure of facilities and resources that residents rely on for everyday relaxation, recreation, and comfort. And in the summer, that becomes especially clear. If you ever want to see how much Philadelphians care about our pools and spraygrounds, take a look at our social media accounts during a heat wave or when we announce the opening dates for pools. Huge thanks go out to the Program and Skilled Trades staff who get our pools and spraygrounds up and running every summer, and the Administration employees who make sure our thousands of swimming pool and summer camp staff are processed for the start of each season.

As our Summer Fun Guide shows, our parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers are bustling with activities, like yoga, movie nights, concerts, and beer gardens—not to mention a host of ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings! I hope you get the opportunity to experience some of these events and programs yourselves, and share your experiences with me. Thank you to the Operations, Natural Lands, and seasonal staff who ensure our parks are clean, safe, and healthy respites year-round, and especially in these busy warmer months. Your work does not go unnoticed. As one example of someone admiring a staff member’s work, check out the story later in this issue about Seasonal Maintenance Attendant Dominique Williams receiving praise for keeping Roosevelt Playground in “immaculate” shape. Dominique demonstrates a pride in her work and facility that I’ve heard many of our employees mention previously.

In support of our staff members who maintain and program our parks, PPR is launching a pilot educational campaign to teach residents about responsible behaviors, like bagging trash from get-togethers, leashing dogs, and keeping cars off of grass. We’re also working closely with the Philadelphia Police Department to better enforce code violations, like amplified sound and short dumping. After testing this approach in Hunting Park, Cobbs Creek Park, and Belmont Plateau, we’ll make any necessary adjustments before expanding to other parks, recreation centers, and playgrounds. We’re hopeful that the combination of education and enforcement will improve the conditions of our properties, alleviate pain points for staff, and improve our relationships with the residents and volunteers who live near and care for these spaces.

Finally, please save the date of September 8 for our annual PPR Staff BBQ at Belmont Grove. Last year was a fabulous event with good food, fun games, and excellent company, and I’m hopeful this year’s BBQ will be even bigger and better. Additional details about this year’s event are below.

Thank you,

Kathryn Ott Lovell

Pools & Spraygrounds Season Openings

We’ve got 120+ spots to beat the heat this summer: our pools and spraygrounds all open for the season by July 1! Be sure to check in with your neighborhood pool for days and times of open swim, family swim, and adult swim, as well as other activities.

Summer Fun in Philly Parks & Playgrounds

This summer is packed with fun movie nights, concerts, fitness programs, and more in our parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers. Here’s just a few ways to spend those summer days:

• Movie nights: Pack a picnic, grab a blanket, and head to your local park or playground to catch a flick with friends, family, and neighbors.
• Concerts: Enjoy afternoons and evenings filled with live music, fresh air, and the beautiful scenery of Philly’s parks.
• Yoga: Swap out your solo routine at home for a group yoga session. From the banks of the Schuylkill to your local recreation center with Roots 2 Rise, there’s plenty of places to practice this season.
• Parks on Tap: Philly’s traveling beer garden is back, visiting parks across the city with food, drinks, and activities. Get a taste of the fun with Parks on Tap Jr., a mini pop-up version!

Learn more about summer events and activities.

The Oval+

The Oval is back this summer, bigger and better than ever! From July 20 to August 20, Wednesdays through Sundays, visit the expanded The Oval+ for movie and music nights, food trucks, a beer garden, and family-friendly activities. This year also features an expanded footprint and unique installations: get a sneak peek in the rendering above.

Follow The Oval+ news on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Job Opportunities

• Data Entry Specialist (seasonal, part-time): Manage data related to the performance and use of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) facilities.
• Multimedia Associate (seasonal, part-time): Assist with the development and growth of PPR’s communications platforms by photographing events, creating videos, and designing print materials.

PPR BBQ

Everyone's favorite Philadelphia Parks & Recreation event is back! Please plan to join your friends and colleagues for this year's PPR BBQ on Friday, September 8 from 11am-3pm at the Belmont Picnic Grove. We will enjoy lunch, games, and plenty of friendly competition. Invites and additional details to follow.

If you would like to help with the planning, please email Kathy DeCrescio at kathy.decrescio@phila.gov.

Family Triathlons & Duathlons

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and TriYouthalon will host two family-friendly athletic events this summer. The 8th Annual Fairmount Park Family Triathlon & Duathlon will take place on Saturday, July 15 on a fully closed-off course in Fairmount Park. On Saturday, August 5, the 4th Annual Hunting Park Family Fun & Fitness Day will kick off with another Family Triathlon & Duathlon. Both events are open to all ages and abilities, so get ready to swim, bike, and run to the finish!

Register for the Fairmount Park or Hunting Park Family Triathlon & Duathlon.

Performances in Public Spaces

This summer, Performances in Public Spaces returns for another year of free performances in public parks and plazas across the city. An initiative led by the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Performances in Public Spaces supports local artists and performing arts organizations of all sizes and skill levels, helping them share their work with new audiences. The program kicks off Saturday, July 1 at 3pm, with Jazz on the Green at Fisher Park.

Check out the full list of Performances in Public Spaces events.

Community Fishing Days at Pleasant Hill Park

Every Saturday from June 10 to November 4, Pleasant Hill Park will host free catch-and-release Community Fishing Days. Bait, rods, and instruction are provided for park visitors 16-and-under: just meet at the ponds on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm to cast a line. (While the ponds are meant for younger fisherfolk, older siblings and parents are welcome to lend a hand.)

Learn more about Pleasant Hill Park’s Community Fishing Days.

Unity Cup Updates

We’re gearing up for 2017’s Philadelphia International Unity Cup! This year, 48 teams will be competing for the cup, starting Friday, September 8: check out the full schedule for more details. The championship game will be held on Saturday, November 11 at Lincoln Financial Field.

In the lead-up to the Unity Cup, we’re asking Philadelphians to help showcase our city’s diversity by working with artists to design banners representing the participating countries. Join us at an upcoming Unity Cup Banner Art Project workshop or engagement session.

Just as the Unity Cup promotes diversity through the sport of soccer, the Unity Youth League, a program developed from the US Soccer Foundation's Soccer for Success, introduces kids to the sport while promoting diversity. The program recently wrapped up its inaugural season at James Finnegan Playground, Myers Recreation Center, and Connell Park, where it has helped youth connect with their community through sport. 

Follow Unity Cup news on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Summer Fruit Tree Workshop

This summer, TreePhilly is partnering with FarmPhilly, Penn State Master Gardeners, and the Philadelphia Orchard Project to offer fruit tree care workshops. On Wednesday, July 12, attend the final workshop at the scenic Fairmount Park Horticulture Center to learn how to help your fruit trees thrive. The workshop will cover pruning and thinning, common pests and diseases, and hands-on practice. Registration is on a sliding scale from $0 to $25, and light refreshments will be provided.

Register now for the Summer Fruit Tree Workshop!

Fire Safety Summer Camp at Hunting Park

Philadelphia’s Parks & Recreation and Fire Departments are teaming up to offer the First Annual Lieutenant Joyce M. Craig Memorial Fire Safety Summer Camp at Hunting Park! During two free camp sessions – August 14-18 (girls camp) and August 21-25 (coed camp), 9am-3pm – 14- to 18-year-olds will learn about careers as first responders. Activities will include First Aid and CPR training, trying out firefighter gear, guest speakers, and excursions to the Fire Museum, Fire Academy, and Marine Unit.

To register or learn more about the Fire Safety Summer Camp, email kwaja.matthews@phila.gov or call 215-686-1382.

We Walk PHL

Looking for a way to stay active this summer? We Walk PHL is a new program from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR), Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philly Powered, and the Health Promotion Council. PPR staff will lead free walking groups with support from community walking group leaders at:

• East Fairmount Park (meet at Mander Playground): Tuesdays at 6pm, Wednesdays at 9am, Saturdays at 11am, Sundays at 9am;
• FDR Park (meet at the Boathouse): Wednesdays at 8:30am, Thursdays at 6pm, Saturdays at 9am;
• Hunting Park (meet at Hunting Park Recreation Center): Tuesdays at 8:30am, Thursdays at 8:30am, Saturdays at 9am.

If you have any questions, contact wewalkPHL@gmail.com. Check out the We Walk PHL Facebook group for updates.

Flyers Charity Classic

Join the Philadelphia Flyers for a new citywide event on Sunday, July 16, the Flyers Charity Classic! Hit the street on foot or bike and stay active this summer as families, athletes, and Flyers fans of all ages run, walk, or ride down Broad Street and beyond. Participants can take part in a 5K Walk/Run, 10-mile Family Bike Ride, 50K Bike Ride, or 100K Bike Ride, fundraising as a team or individually for Flyers Charities and the Flyers Alumni Association.

Learn more or register to participate in the Flyers Charity Classic.

Art in the Parks: Big Bling & Inside Out

We’re excited to welcome new art to our parks and recreation centers! Check out sculptures and paintings popping up throughout Philly:

• Big Bling: Located on Kelly Drive just north of Girard Avenue, this 40-foot-tall work is artist Martin Puryear’s largest temporary outdoor sculpture yet. Spot it as you drive, bike, run, or stroll by, now through November, thanks to the Association for Public Art. (And check out Puryear’s previous Philly work, Pavilion in the Trees, in West Fairmount Park.)
• Inside Out: The Philadelphia Museum of Art is bringing large-scale art reproductions to the streets and to our parks! From now through mid-August, view Inside Out artworks in East Passyunk and Manayunk; this fall, new installations will arrive in Brewerytown and Old City.

Check out a map of public art around the city.

Bartram’s Mile Receives Urban Land Institute Award

The latest extension of the Schuylkill River Trail, Bartram’s Mile, recently received an Urban Land Institute Philadelphia Award for Excellence. Developed by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Schuylkill River Development Corporation, this project transformed an underused waterfront brownfield site into a community destination for Southwest Philadelphia.

Philly Pumptrack Wins Meet Me at the Park

Thank you for showing your support for community parks and facilities in the National Recreation and Park Association’s recent Meet Me at the Park initiative! The votes have been tallied, and the Philly Pumptrack was the winner and recipient of a $20,000 grant. These funds will go towards adding security fencing, strengthening the track surface, and purchasing more bikes and helmets for bike education and outreach.

Learn more about the Philly Pumptrack.

Junior Baseball Federation: 70 Years of Youth Baseball

Since 1948, the Junior Baseball Federation (JBF) has provided financial and material support to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s (PPR) youth baseball and softball programs. This year, the Junior Baseball Federation is expanding its support to include the programs and activities of the Phillies MLB Urban Youth Academy, a collaborative effort between Major League Baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies, and PPR.

The JBF develops the resources to provide this needed program support primarily through the sale of ticket vouchers that, this year, are redeemable for one of five designated regular season Phillies games at Citizens Bank Park. 

Learn more about this year’s Junior Baseball Federation Benefit Games and how you can help.

Groundbreakings & Ribbon Cuttings

Over the past month, we’ve broken ground and cut the ribbon on exciting projects across the city. Check out new facilities and equipment at:

• Granahan Playground, now home to a new skate park;
• Palumbo Recreation Center, which recently received $1.2 million in renovations;
• Penn Treaty Park’s relocated and ADA-accessible playground;
• Piccoli Playground, featuring landscaping improvements around new play structures;
• Water Tower Recreation Center, where we recently debuted new pickleball courts.

Keep an eye out for future improvements and renovations at Stenton Playground and Wissinoming Park.

Venice Island Creative Writer’s Group

Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center (VIPARC) is calling all writers! Whether you write poems, plays, short stories, novels, or epics, everyone needs a place to share their art. This program encourages creative writers to meet up and share resources, workshop pieces, and improve their collective writing experiences in a safe and structured environment.

The Creative Writer’s Group meets weekly on Mondays at 7pm at VIPARC (7 Lock St 19127).

PaRC Star: Tom Landsmann

At its May 22 meeting, the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commission (PaRC) honored Tom Landsmann as a PaRC Star! The PaRC Star Award is given to individuals who have contributed outstanding service to Philadelphia’s park and recreation system. For 15 years, Tom has worked to preserve open space and restore parkland in the Roxborough/Manayunk area; currently, he leads the Ivy Ridge Green Coalition, co-chairs Friends of the Upper Roxborough Reservoir Preserve, and serves as President of The Roxborough Conservancy. We thank Tom for his service to the city of Philadelphia.

Customer Service Corner

Theme for the month: Keep personal judgment out of customer interactions.

Author Jay Danzie once said: “Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you becomes your trademark.” It is increasingly important that we don’t allow our own opinions to affect the service we provide. It may take multiple positive customer service interactions to overcome one of our users’ single negative experience. 

LOVE Your Park Week Recap

From May 13 through 21, we celebrated another successful LOVE Your Park Week. This collaboration among Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Fairmount Park Conservancy, and the Philadelphia Park Friends Network gives Philadelphia residents the opportunity to help clean, green, and celebrate their local parks. This year, 2,275 volunteers contributed 6,825 volunteer hours over 88 service events, using 66 tons of compost, 24 tons of wood chips, and 53 tons of mulch (all from the Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center) – phew! Thank you so much for lending a hand and showing your park some love.

Check out LOVE Your Park Week photos from Stephen Girard Park and our signature event at Fernhill Park, and save the date for the LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day on Saturday, November 4.

Rebuild Updates: Tustin Playground and Olney Recreation Center

City Council recently passed an ordinance authorizing Rebuild, a seven-year, $500 million public-private investment in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods! As part of the lead-up to Rebuild, Mayor Jim Kenney, City Council members, and other City officials are touring Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) facilities in need of improvements. Recent visits have included:

• Tustin Playground: On May 13, Mayor Kenney, Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr., PPR Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell and Rebuild Executive Director Nicole Westerman toured Tustin Playground to highlight the need for Rebuild investment. 
• Olney Recreation Center: On May 25, Councilwoman Cherelle Parker led Mayor Kenney, Westerman, and PPR staff on a tour of Olney Recreation Center, the facility where Mayor Kenney first kicked off Rebuild in 2016. Read Recreation Leader Emily Coleman’s recap of the visit.

Stay up-to-date on the latest Rebuild news.

Earn-a-Bike Program at MLK Recreation Center

This spring, Brandon Snead and Gretchen Snethen from the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion ran a six-class Earn-A-Bike program for individuals with mental health conditions. Classes focused on bike safety and laws, bike maintenance, and increasing riding confidence. Biking offers physical exercise, independent transport, and a way to explore and engage in the community. These issues are important for everyone but often unaddressed in this population. In the classes, participants laughed, learned a lot, and enjoyed their time at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center. Organizers of the program hope to expand biking opportunities throughout Philadelphia.

For more information about this program, contact Brandon Snead at brandonsnead@temple.edu.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Spring Arts Show at City Hall

From May 8 through June 30, Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy hosted the 45th annual Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Spring Art Show. The exhibit featured over 100 works by adults and students, reflecting how Philadelphia’s recreation centers contribute to the social fabric of the city through visual arts programs. On June 1, we attended the exhibit reception, where talented individuals from our facilities around the city received recognition for their great work.

Check out our photos from the Spring Arts Show.

Staff Profile: Kenny Palmer

After 23 years taking care of Philadelphia’s parks and recreation centers from the ground up, Tree Maintenance Worker Kenny Palmer has quite a few tales to tell! We recently sat down with him to talk trees: from downed limbs to uprooted trees, stump-grinding to replanting, Kenny has seen – and handled – it all.

Learn more about Kenny and what it takes to be a Tree Maintenance Worker.

Staff Shout-out: Dominique Williams

Our staff work hard to keep their facilities looking great and running smoothly! We recently received a shout-out for one especially dedicated Seasonal Maintenance Attendant (SMA) from Commissioner of Public Property (and Commission on Parks and Recreation member) Bridget Collins-Greenwald: “I drop my daughter off at school every morning and drive by Roosevelt Playground on my way into work. That playground, field, and area around it (including the pavements!) are immaculate. I see a woman out there sometimes going around and picking up debris…Roosevelt is one of the playgrounds I grew up in, so I was happy to see it being taken care of in such a caring way.”

The woman she saw is SMA Dominique Williams! Dominique has been with the department for five years, and we thank her for her hard work keeping Roosevelt looking its best.

Social Media Updates

This month, we shared a lot of engaging content on our social media platforms. With pool opening date announcements, movie nights, summer concerts, and more, there was plenty of shareable content that our followers loved. Throughout the month, we covered LOVE Your Park Week, the Historic Fairmount Park Scavenger Hunt, a Philly Cup skateboard competition, playground improvements, and so much more!

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

The Dirt

In case you missed last month’s issue: The Dirt is a new addition to your monthly newsletter, featuring a bit of life outside the department. This month’s scoop:

• Starting the Arborly Love early! TreePhilly Program Manager Erica Smith Fichman’s son Isaac joined the Arbor Day fun at Wissinoming Park this spring.
• One Parks & Recreation employee has an especially interesting pet: meet Sir Patrick Stewart Bell of House Targaryen! He’s a spiny-tailed lizard (Euromastyx sahara) whose interests include snacking on bok choy, chicory, and dry red lentils. Can you guess which staff member shares his home with Sir Patrick?

Got Dirt? (Note: we especially love hearing about your pets.) Send suggestions, tips, or stories to parksandrecreation@phila.gov.

FarmPhilly Update: Chew Playground Garden

Thanks to the hard work of Kirk Foster, Recreation Leader at Chew Playground, and the FarmPhilly team, Chew’s garden was rebuilt closer to the building and water source. Two new garden beds were built, filled with compost, and painted. The new beds are ready to be planted and will grow food for the summer camp programming. We’re excited for a successful garden season at Chew!

Learn more about FarmPhilly programming.

McVeigh Recreation Center Dance Program

This past February, staff at McVeigh Recreation Center started a program which we hadn’t been able to call our own in over a decade. While we had many private groups come in and use our center for their own, this is the first time in a long while we can say that McVeigh Recreation Center has its own dance team. In a center filled with athletics, the dance program is a nice change of pace. It will help us draw in youth and teens that might not normally come to our center.

Learn more about the new McVeigh Recreation Center Dance Team.

Foxes in FDR Park

Spot the foxes! Park Manager II Steve Dutill recently came across a pair of Philly foxes (mom and kit) at FDR Golf Course’s 16th green.

Learn more about foxes in Philadelphia’s park system.

Waterview Art Club’s First Mural Project

Recently, with the help of PowerCorpsPHL workers, Waterview Recreation Center installed a garden border mural designed and painted by Art Club kids and adults last summer. Although the mural is only six inches tall, it is 24-feet long – and two additional sections may be added later this year! The mural, which is painted on wood, rims a pollinator garden in the back of the center that we have been restoring during the last two years. This garden bed was full of weed plants, vines, broken bottles, and trash. We worked hard to restore the soil and add new plants. Before installing the mural, PowerCorps staff removed seven living, invasive mulberry tree stumps. This was hard work!

Learn more about Waterview Art Club’s project.

Staff Changes

New Hires:
Anthony Frazier, Urban Park Ranger 1
Shinelle Graves, Assistant Recreation Leader
Ian White, Assistant Recreation Leader

Promotions:
Corneilis Edwards, Recreation Leader 1
Serafine Fleming, Recreation Leader Trainee
Edward Flythe, Recreation Leader Trainee
Efrem Gibbs, Recreation Leader 1
Anthony Holiday, Tree Maintenance Crew Chief
Crystal Hovington, Painter 2
Christopher Johnson, Tree Maintenance Crew Chief
Palmero Noven, Carpenter 1
Dennis Quinn, Recreation Leader Trainee

Separations:
Brenda Collazo, Older Adult Center Director
Stephen Hnosko, Assistant Recreation Leader
Kenneth Sarkioglu, Semiskilled Laborer
David Smith, Plumbing & Heating Maintenance Worker

Paint Night at Glavin Playground

Frank Glavin Playground held its first Paint Night in partnership with Paint To You on May 12. The program was a parent and child night in preparation for Mother's Day. Participants painted their own unique flowers and flowerpots. Many thanks to Danielle Amerman and Paint To You for making this wonderful event happen!

John Anderson Cultural Center Banner Project

The John Anderson Cultural Center Art Club recently completed a very special project: the club created a new “We Can Change the World” banner for the Philadelphia Parks Alliance (PPA)! PPA’s original sign – reading “Change the World Today,” a play on Notre Dame’s “Play Like a Champion Today” sign – was on the smaller side. The kids at John Anderson made the new, larger banner to help motivate PPA staff and volunteers in their work. PPA Executive Director George Matysik shares, “The banner now hangs above the main doorway in our office in West Parkside – and serves as inspiration before our team hits the field every day!”  

Gustine Recreation Center Hosting Be Outside Teen Adventure Camp

This summer, Gustine Rec Center will host the Be Outside Teen Adventure Camp for youth ages 12-14. The camp’s adventurous trips three days a week will include kayaking, rock climbing, and zip lining! Pictured above is the parent orientation with Outdoor Experiences Program Coordinator Katie Wimsey and camp staff.

Check out a list of other specialty summer camps that are still accepting registration.