“We can’t hand our children facilities in this shape and let them think that this is all they deserve, that this is what they are worth. They are worth more than this.” — Kathryn Ott Lovell, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commissioner
Rebuilding Community Infrastructure (Rebuild) is a seven-year, $500 million public-private investment in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.
Proposed in Mayor Jim Kenney’s first budget as a part of his vision for a more equitable Philadelphia, Rebuild seeks to revitalize recreation centers, parks and libraries, empower and engage communities and promote economic opportunity through diversity and inclusion.
To highlight the need for Rebuild investment before sites are selected, Mayor Kenney, City Council and City staff are touring community spaces in need of improvements.
Mayor Kenney, Councilwoman Cindy Bass, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, and Rebuild Executive Director Nicole Westerman toured Happy Hollow Recreation Center to highlight the need for Rebuild investments in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.
The tour showcased the current state of Happy Hollow, which sits near the border of Germantown and Nicetown.
Built in 1911, the facility is in need of a new roof and gym floor, upgrades to the playground, bathrooms and kitchen, renovations to the retaining wall, outdoor basketball courts and fields, and more.
In spite of the physical conditions of Happy Hollow, the rec center is a well-used and popular location for kids and community members. A beautiful new mural adorns the building.
Kids participate in an after school program, basketball, boxing and a small gardening program.
Most importantly, the neighborhood has rallied around the rec center and the kids who visit it.
“The legacy of Happy Hollow is that the kids who visit it now, they grow up and then give back to it as adults. Happy Hollow is never short on kids or passion. Adults, kids, the community — they all want to be here and help the next generation find their way,” says Bryan Robinson, a Happy Hollow volunteer.
Bryan Robinson first visited Happy Hollow Recreation Center at five-years old with his grandmother, who served on the rec center’s Advisory Council. After moving back to Philadelphia from California, he began volunteering at Happy Hollow, a place that had meant so much to him as a child.
He worked with Maurice and Lewis, who both volunteer time at Happy Hollow now as adults too.
Lewis Leonard plays basketball overseas in a South American league, but when he’s home he goes to Happy Hollow to shoot hoops and runs skills drills with the kids.
“People in this community have a family connection to it,” Mr. Robinson says, “a program, the facility, it is only as good as the people who are here.”