DECEMBER, 2013

Dear Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Colleagues:

During a report on department activities provided at the most recent Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, I was struck by the incredible energy and positive impact that our department brings to the city. Our efforts and accomplishments in addressing the department’s daily demands are truly impressive and make me more aware of our responsibility to plan for the future. Accordingly, a cross-divisional group of approximately twenty-five senior and middle managers met in early November to evaluate the current state of the department as well as to identify issues and concerns that are key to our department’s continued success. The information gathered during this meeting was distributed to the core Executive Team for discussion and response during a meeting held a few days later.

While the Executive Team’s response has yet to be fully developed, some of the more significant topics that demand attention are future funding, staff succession, more clearly defined career paths and the need for more effective communication. The Executive Team will be providing the senior and middle managers with their response related to the issues and concerns that this leadership group has identified. And, all of the early information, along with the Executive Team’s response, will be shared with you in the next edition of the internal newsletter.

Thank you for your daily efforts and I wish you all a Healthy and Happy Thanksgiving.

Arts & Artists Outdoors Community Workshops

Join the artists of A2O: Arts & Artists Outdoors for engaging environmental art activities for all ages! Snacks provided.

Workshop dates and times:

• Chew Recreation Center (1834 Ellsworth Street, 19146) Saturday, December 7, 12-3 p.m.
• Ziehler Playground (200-64 E Olney Avenue, 19120) Saturday, December 7, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Wright Recreation Center (3320-50 Haverford Avenue, 19104) Saturday, December 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Dorsey Recreation Center (6501 Hegerman Street, 19135) Saturday, December 14, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Clemente Recreation Center (1800 Wallace Street, 19130) Saturday, December 14th, 2-5 p.m.

Historic House Tours and Upcoming Events

The 2013 holiday season brings another round of scenic historic house tours, a stunning gingerbread display and other special events.

On November 4, the Shops at Liberty Place unveiled an array of holiday-themed gingerbread recreations of Fairmount Park historic sites. The final display day is November 22, so go check them out if you haven't already!

Historic house tours begin December 5 and run through December 15. Ride a trolley with tour guides, book a group or explore the houses at your own pace.

View a full list of holiday events in Fairmount Park.

Spread the Word: We’re Hiring

The City of Philadelphia is hiring! If you or a loved one is looking for work, we have job openings in a variety of Skilled Trades occupations such as HVAC mechanics, plumbers and electricians. For those who qualify, these jobs provide a service to our community along with a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off and a generous pension plan. Applications will be accepted from now through December 13, 2013; visit www.phila.gov or call (215) 686-0880 for more information on a rewarding career with the City of Philadelphia.

Download our Available Skilled Trades Positions flyer and help spread the word!

Kevin Hart Donates 200 Computers to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

On October 30, the City of Philadelphia announced that it would receive a donation of 500 computers from Kevin Hart, a comedian, actor, writer, producer, businessman and Philadelphia native.

Eight School District of Philadelphia schools and 27 recreation centers will receive computers through the donation.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Office of Innovation and Technology are close partners in the implementation of this donation.

Read the City of Philadelphia press release about Kevin Hart’s donation

Keep PPR Green!

Help Philadelphia Parks & Recreation conserve energy and earn money for the department. If you see lights on overnight/off-hours, please email PPR.energysaver@phila.gov and include the name of the PPR facility/site, address, type of lighting (e.g., athletic field lights) and date/time.

Specific guidelines for field lights are as follows:

• Field lights should only be on Monday to Friday, dusk to 10:30 p.m., between April and December.
• Lights should never be on over the weekend (Friday at 10:30 p.m. to dusk on Monday), and exceptions will be noted.
• There will not be any field permits issued between January and mid-March. All field lights will be turned off, and exceptions will be listed.

Video: Watch Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis speak about the City of Philadelphia's Energy Efficiency Incentive Program.

Philly Pumptrack Breaks Ground

Work has started on the Philly Pumptrack at 52nd Street and Parkside Avenue behind the Mann Center. Pumptracks are bike courses where riders use gravity, momentum and a pumping motion to propel themselves without pedaling. This project, the first of its kind in Philadelphia, has earned the support of the community. The Friends of the Philly Pumptrack received the Donated Services Agreement they needed from the city to start digging in late October.

Continue reading the Philly Pedals Pumptrack story

What Is a Pump Track? (PDF)

"Like" the Philly Pumptrack on Facebook and Follow the Philly Pumptrack on Twitter

Port Richmond Trail Open for Recreation

Bikers, walkers, runners welcomed!

On Tuesday, October 29, Mayor Michael Nutter and Deputy Mayor Mike DiBerardinis joined other city and state officials, along with representatives from the Delaware River City Corporation (DRCC) and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), to officially open the Port Richmond Trail restoration project, a 1.6-mile section of trail along the Delaware River in Northeast Philadelphia extending from Richmond Street & Allegheny Avenue east along Allegheny to Delaware at Pulaski Park and then north on Delaware to Lewis Street. The trail serves as a new recreation outlet for cyclists, runners and pedestrians and connects the local community to the river.

“The completion of the Port Richmond Trail is an important step in realizing a larger vision for the Delaware River Waterfront and our goal of establishing Philadelphia as America’s greenest city,” said Mayor Nutter. “Connecting neighborhoods to each other and connecting residents to open, green spaces through a trail network like The Circuit serves to make this city a healthier, more cohesive place to live, work and play.” During the ceremony, Nutter accepted a $200,000 grant from the EPA to conduct a planning study to guide the clean-up and reactivation of area brownfield land. The grant will be used to plan for adaptive reuse of three brownfield sites located in the Bridesburg, Frankford, Port Richmond and Juniata Park sections adjacent to the Delaware River and Frankford Creek.

Continue reading about the Port Richmond Trail opening

PPR Lifeguard Recognized at TeenNick HALO Awards

Denzel Thompson, a Hartranft Pool lifeguard and current PPR seasonal employee, was recognized at the TeenNick HALO Awards in Los Angeles on November 17.

At the awards, Thompson received a $10,000 award for Philadelphia Urban Creators (PUC), a youth-led organization he cofounded with six other teens that grows sustainable, healthy food from the ground up. Thompson’s award was presented by Queen Latifah, his celebrity “date” for the event.

Since 2009, the HALO Awards have recognized teens who work hard to make the world a better place. Over the years, honorees have gotten to hang out with the likes of Justin Bieber, Emma Stone, Tyra Banks, Josh Duhamel, Jessica Biel, David Beckham, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and many more celebs who applaud their amazing work and community service.

Congrats, Denzel!

Read more about Thompson’s accomplishments

Feedback: Community Vision for East and West Fairmount Park Fall 2013 Public Meetings

View the presentation materials and feedback from a series of community meetings hosted by PennPraxis and the Penn Project for Civic Engagement in September and October 2013 to learn what residents (especially those nearest neighbors) value about East and West Fairmount Park, how they would like to use the park and what new improvements would allow them to do so: http://planphilly.com/eastandwestpark

Malcolm X Park Leader Recognized

Gregory Pac Cojulun, President of the Friends of Malcolm X Park, was recently profiled for the West Philly Local’s Them That Do series.

Read Gregory’s Them That Do profile

Also read: Maureen Tate of Cedar Park’s profile in the series.

Employee Profile: Syreeta Thomas

Syreeta Thomas joined Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in July 2010 as a summer Recreation Specialty Instructor (RSI) for James Wright Recreation Center. Raised in West Philadelphia, Syreeta went to The Philadelphia High School for Girls and spent summers working at Shepard Recreation Center. Syreeta holds an Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education and currently studies Middle Grades Education at Temple University with a content concentration in Science and Language Arts.

Presently, Syreeta works as an after-school GSI for James Wright Recreation Center. In 2011, she helped to redesign the Teen Center by painting murals on the walls. Her love of Art resonates in the activities she engages the after school students in. "The most important thing to teach the children is to have confidence,” says Syreeta. “ I was never one to allow a child to think they were not 'good' at something. Everyone has something they're good at." She coordinates activities that enrich the students' minds and self-esteem and constantly works on ways to improve her program. "I learn more about myself as I learn about the students. The experience they give me is incomparable."

Continue reading about Syreeta Thomas

Introducing: PowerCorpsPHL

PowerCorpsPHL is a new and innovative AmeriCorps program designed to address Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Governor Tom Corbett’s environmental stewardship initiatives, as well as the City of Philadelphia’s youth workforce development and violence prevention priorities. Partnering with EducationWorks, the Philadelphia Youth Network, Philadelphia Water Department and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, PowerCorpsPHL will annually enroll 100 young people, ages 18-26, in a nine-month program: six months of full-time service as AmeriCorps members with PWD and PPR, followed by three months of intensive job placement support. PowerCorps PHL crews will work in the four major watershed regions of Philadelphia completing projects on natural lands, recreation centers and city parks.

PowerCorpsPHL not only enriches the lives of its corps members but also presents a great opportunity for Philadelphia, both to grow its workforce and enhance its green space. Our goal is to strengthen communities by maintaining and enhancing public spaces and breaking down barriers to employment for Philadelphia’s young adults. Through training and service, corps members gain technical and transferrable skills, work experience and support transitioning to the demands of the 21st century economy.

3rd Annual Cobbs Creek 5K Run/Walk

The 3rd Annual Cobbs Creek 5K was held on October 26, 2013. This community-organized event is held annually through a partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, The Friends of Cobbs Creek Park and The Philadelphia Water Department. The funds raised for this event assist in creating programming for the children of the Cobbs Creek Community. This year, 60 runners and walkers participated.

Volunteers from various community organizations across the Cobbs Creek area worked diligently over the course of several months to organize and promote the event. They held weekly clean-ups of the park along the course in the weeks leading up to the race to ensure that the participants had the best view of the natural beauty of the park. Cobbs Creek Park comprises over 700 acres of forest, creek, recreational facilities and trails that border the City of Philadelphia on the east and Delaware County on the west.

The race was sponsored by the following corporations and community groups: PPR, FOCC, Laura Simms Advisory Council, Metro PCS, Shoprite of Island Ave, Bottom Dollar Foods, Sen. Anthony H. Williams, CHOP and Philadelphia Runner.

View more pictures of the Cobbs Creek 5K Run/Walk.

Cobbs Creek Park Cleanup

On October 19, Philadelphia chapter members of the Omega Omega of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. helped beautify Cobbs Creek Recreation Center and the Laura Sims Skate House. Around 15 volunteers, including undergraduate sorority sisters from the University of Pennsylvania, Mayor Michael Nutter’s Chief of Staff Everett Gillison and Commission on Parks and Recreation member Carol Rice helped to plant mums, bulbs and other plants in the front of both facilities. District Manager Jerry Boligitz, Ken Crawford (Cobbs Creek Rec Center) and Sandy Campbell (Laura Sims Skate House) provided tools, mulch, manpower and direction to the volunteers.

TreePhilly Fall Yard Tree Giveaways

In its first weekend of Fall 2013 Yard Tree Giveaways, TreePhilly gave away 860 trees at the Pennypack Environmental Center and Columbus Square Playground!

View additional pictures of the Fall Yard Tree Giveaways

Photo: Thank You from Columbus Square Playground

Children from Columbus Square pose with the “thank you” items they created for Marian Dalke on her last day leading Urban Agriculture activities at the playground.

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Citywide LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day Beautifies 78 Parks

This past Saturday, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Fairmount Park Conservancy hosted the LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day in parks across the city of Philadelphia. The LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day featured 78 cleanup projects where residents raked fall leaves, planted bulbs and prepared the parks for winter. Volunteers also planted trees provided by the TreePhilly program and 4,000 daffodil bulbs, courtesy of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

This year’s signature site encompassed three parks in the Pennsport neighborhood –Jefferson Square Park, Sacks Playground and Manton St. Park, the City’s newest park. The three parks, which are representative of the distinct character of our city’s neighborhood parks, had over 150 volunteers. Volunteers planted daffodil bulbs and trees, removed invasive species and leaves and painted. Just last year, Manton St. Park received a $20,000 grant through the Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Growing The Neighborhood program and additional funding from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, which transformed the unofficial pocket park into the City’s newest park.

The LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day culminated with a speaking program at Manton St. Park featuring some of the city’s biggest park champions, including Mayor Michael A. Nutter; City Council Member Mark Squilla; Fairmount Park Conservancy Executive Director Kathryn Ott Lovell; William P. Hazelton of the ACE Charitable Foundation; and Nancy Goldenberg of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

View more pictures from LOVE Your Park Day

View photos from LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day

Moving Moves with “REACH”

On October 28, twenty-one (21) after school programs launched the “REACH” after school pilot, created to test program quality and effectiveness. These programs offer intentional services that help young feel well about themselves, their community and their future. After school programs participating in the REACH pilot receive intentional support from specialty coordinators to improve programming in five program areas: (1) environmental awareness, (2) outdoor activities, (3) sports and athletics, (4) the arts, and (5) fitness & healthy habits. Each after school program participating in the pilot will work with an assigned coach and specialty coordinators to develop a customized improvement plan to increase the quality of their programming.

Visual Arts Coordinator Valerie Arhondakis works with staff and youth from Boyle, Markward and Palumbo to create art collages. View pictures of artwork created by children at the REACH pilot program locations, and Like PPR Visual Arts on Facebook

How I “Park & Recreate”

My experience in Fairmount Park has been a pleasure. I’ve been to several areas in and around the Park. The one that stands out the most is my experience at the Philadelphia Art Museum. My husband and I are members of the museum so I try to go as often as I can. We’ve gone there many Friday evenings to enjoy “Art after 5.” We watch the Jazz performance, and then we tour the museum after the show. To name a few performers, we’ve seen Diane Monroe. She’s an awesome soloist and violinist. Neil Leonard is another-- he’s a great saxophonist.

It’s really nice; it’s like getting two for one. I recommend it as an evening of education, fun and enjoyment at one of the most beautiful museums in Philadelphia.

Food Forest Demonstration Garden

On October 19, Philadelphia Master Gardeners, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Philadelphia Orchard Project and the Fairmount Park Conservancy planted the first phase of the new Permaculture Food Forest Demonstration Garden at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center.

Learn more:

Food Forest Demonstration Garden

Food Forest in Fairmount Park, Part 2

Fun Fridays with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

After the merger of the Fairmount Park Commission and the Department of Recreation, PPR needed to get creative about ways to join together previously separate staff members in One Parkway Building and build morale and camaraderie in the work place. Thus, the Fun Friday committee of former Fairmount Park and Recreation employees was formed. Our committee decided to host a quarterly office party for employees to come together, play games and learn more about each other. These events are also a good opportunity to introduce new faces and spend casual time with coworkers we might bump into at the water cooler but haven’t gotten to know yet.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Fun Fridays are a great way to have a laugh and enjoy different, fun activities. This quarter, the theme was Fall Harvest (Halloween). There were games, candy and a costume contest. The winners from our costume contest were Kim Robbins, Robin Klink and Bill Klineburger. At the end, we enjoyed Darren Fava’s pumpkin soup and Debbie Carr’s carrot cake, which were great touches considering the Fall Harvest theme. With each Fun Friday we host, we keep our eyes on the goal of becoming united as one department. Join us!

View photos from Thrilling Thursday

City Employees Art Contest and Exhibit

Calling all PPR artists! You have only a few more days to register for the 14th Annual Exhibit of The National Arts Program® for the City of Philadelphia, PA.

City of Philadelphia government employees and family members can enter to showcase their artwork (and possibly receive a cash prize!) in City Hall.

Registration forms must be received no later than November 27, 2013. All entries must be delivered to City Hall, Room 116 via the East Portal Market Street Entrance from November 25-27, 2013 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Fire Extinguisher Placement

Priority Placement

1. Boiler room
2. Kitchen unit (if applicable)
3. One (1) per 2500 square feet of building space; this should be placed in an accessible area, if possible.

Fire Extinguisher Servicing Schedule:

• October 1-1 - District One
• October 16-31 - District Eight
• November 1-14 - District Two
• November 15-30 - District Seven
• December 1-15 - District Three
• December 16-31 - District Six
• January 1-15 - District Four
• January 16-31 - District Five

Energy Saving Tip for the Month

Use power strips to switch off televisions, home theater equipment and stereos when you're not using them. Even when you think these products are off, together their "standby" consumption can be equivalent to that of a 75 or 100-watt light bulb running continuously.

Coherence Update

On November 4, Coherence Framework Project sponsors met to share the progress of their teams’ progress and plan for next steps.

Download the list of Coherence Framework Projects next steps (PDF)

Safe Driving Tips for Thanksgiving Travel

Planning to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday to visit with family and friend? You won’t be alone. Approximately 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, marking a 4-percent increase over last year. Before you embark, consider these tips to help prepare you and your car for whatever challenges might be faced on the road.

Commission on Parks and Recreation Update

Exciting things are happening in Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and one of the best ways to find out is by attending the regularly scheduled Parks and Recreation Commission meetings. The last meeting of 2013 took place at the American Swedish Historical Museum in FDR Park. The Parks and Recreation Commission heard progress reports about the Green2015 initiative that’s turning concrete and paved playgrounds into reclaimed green spaces at several parks and recreation facilities and schools. The Commission also got a “sneak peek” at PPR’s new marketing campaign, which is scheduled to be formally launched in early 2014. Committee reports, as well as updates from the Philadelphia Parks Alliance and Fairmount Park Conservancy, rounded out the agenda.

2014 Meeting Schedule

Want to know what’s going on with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and get the chance to speak directly to PPR Staff? There are at least six scheduled opportunities to do so in 2014. That’s because the Parks and Recreation Commission will keep its “show on the road“ and has released the calendar of scheduled meeting dates and locations for 2014.

The Commission holds 6 meetings a year and travels to parks and recreation centers and facilities throughout the city. The Commission invites and encourages anyone interested in learning about what’s going on with the Commission and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to attend. Members of the public are encouraged sign up and speak directly to the Commission and Parks and Recreation staff on matters that interest them. We’re there to listen and learn from you.

Download the 2014 Commission on Parks and Recreation meeting schedule

Featured Commission Member: Sarah Clark Stuart

Professional Background: Policy Director at the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

Committees: Revenue Enhancement, Communications, Public Safety

Community: I live in the Logan Square neighborhood and work in Center City.

Favorite Event: Every year I look forward to the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby in mid-May. While it's not a park event per se, it is an extraordinary and uniquely Philadelphia gathering of several thousand people who love to watch and cheer on crazy and wonderful "sculptures" that are moved by pedal power. The Derby is essentially a 3-mile parade through the Kensington neighborhood and ends in a mud pit! It's done in conjunction with the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival and is tremendous fun. Last year, I was honored to be a judge.

Best Park Experience: For about six years, I organized a 5K run on Schuylkill Banks that drew about 200 people, mostly all from the community of people who love and use the path along the Schuylkill River between the Art Museum and Locust Street. The path is near and dear to the hearts of so many people, and it was a wonderful feeling to give back to the community.

Commission Insight: I am fortunate to be a Commissioner since 2009 and have enjoyed visiting so many parts of the PPR system that I would probably never have had the opportunity to see. I am always struck by how deeply important the centers and parks are to residents who live near them and who use them. I am also in awe of the PPR staff members who work so hard with so little to support and maintain the parks and centers. I also can see that there is still so much that can be done to make the PPR system stronger and deliver more to all Philadelphians.