#philadelphiaparksandrec

[philaparkandrec]

We Walk PHL wraps up a great season of walking

On Saturday, October 12, 2019, participants of the We Walk PHL program gathered at Hunting Park. They were there to celebrate another successful season of walking at Parks & Rec sites.

Above: We Walk PHL participants at the Hunting Park event.

We Walk PHL is a free walking group that meets one to three days a week for one hour walks. We Walk PHL program staff recruit and train walking group leaders from communities surrounding the parks.

The 2019 walking season began on March 1 and culminated on October 31. Some participants are so enthused they have vowed to continue walking throughout the winter months.

According to participants, the We Walk PHL program has:

allowed them to forge new friendships

helped them meet weight loss goals

encouraged frequent park use

Above: LOVE Park walking group poses near the Day of the Dead altar. 

The program began in June 2017 in Hunting Park, FDR Park, and East Fairmount Park. This year walking groups took place at 12 sites including:

West Fairmount Park

LOVE Park

Tacony Creek Park

Lanier Playground

Clark Park

The Woodlands

Rose Playground

Vernon Park

Pennypack on the Delaware

The program is a shared partnership among Philadelphia Parks & Rec, the Philadelphia Health Department (PDPH), and Fairmount Park Conservancy.

For more information:

Visit the We Walk PHL website

Follow We Walk PHL on Facebook

[philaparkandrec]

Kicking Into Gear with Sustainable Land Care Training

This fall, Parks & Rec’s training program dove into developing its maintenance workforce with a training session.

Participants received:

a grand tour of the Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center. 

updates about the city’s “Zero Waste & Litter” progress.

training on the operation, safety, and maintenance of several pieces of equipment. 

The staff in attendance appreciated the blend of demonstrations by experts and hands-on practice. Among the positive feedback were comments including "this is honestly the best training I've ever had" and "can we do this again next month?"

[philaparkandrec]

Junior Advisory Council kicks off at Penrose Memorial Playground!

Penrose Memorial Playground has launched a Junior Advisory Council (JAC) program. The JAC will be spearheaded by Joy Crudup, an intern from Alvernia University in Reading, PA. Ms. Crudup is currently pursuing her masters degree in Social Work. We are excited that she has decided to complete her field placement at Penrose.

Joy Crudup in white shirt, with JAC member Jazmyn Ellis, in red shirt.

Ms. Crudup will work with the JAC to host at least one major event or activity per month. She will teach the youth the importance of community engagement and civil policies. 

The JAC has already held a literacy event and fundraiser. They have teamed up with the Advisory Council to:

host a movie night

help paint a mural on the center’s wall 

clean up around the playground.  

The JAC will host formal monthly meetings and weekly social engagements. Their upcoming plans include:

host a coat giveaway and Halloween event

collect hygiene items for a men’s shelter

conduct a voter registration drive

JAC reading to youth during Literacy Program. (Monche Harvey in demin jacket and Jazmyn Ellis in black hoodie).

The JAC will also work with members of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, Parks & Rec staff, and Penrose Advisory Council Members to develop a scholarship for graduating seniors.

[philaparkandrec]

Growing & learning in the garden: Summer fun with FarmPhilly

This summer, FarmPhilly ran experiential learning programs geared toward children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. Lessons were run every Friday with the Carousel House Summer Camp and once a month with the local After School Autism Program. These campers, counselors, and chaperones participated in sensory exploration of the Carousel House Farm.

Participants were invited to see, smell, touch, and taste the various flowers, fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the garden. Activities included:

building flower bouquets

tasting tomatoes

planting seeds (see photos)

feeling fuzzy sage leaves

noticing the smells of the garden

Everyone had a blast this summer!

[philaparkandrec]

Camps enjoy “Make Art Philly”

By Patty McGrail-Schiffler, Visual Arts Coordinator

July 17 was a very hot day­, but that didn’t stop ten Parks & Rec summer camps from visiting “Make Art Philly.” This event, presented by the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, is held each year in the City Hall Courtyard. This year’s event included many activities for children 5-12 years of age. 

The fun included:

Live interactive play

A DJ

Make-and-take arts & crafts projects

The spray fountain at Dilworth Park

Pretzels supplied by Parks & Rec’s Visual Arts office

Special thanks to all the camp staff who kept their kids entertained—their behavior was exceptional!

[veniceislandpac]

Venice Island Performing Arts Education Initiative

Exposure Arts Initiative is in the business of comprehensive performing arts education and training to provide the theatrical experience to Philadelphia residents who may not have the opportunity to experience or be exposed to the arts either in school or community at large.

Mission: To provide quality education and training in the field of performing and technical arts for the citizens of Philadelphia; especially in Districts 4 and 8 specifically, to be able to express themselves freely, to uplift the community, and show the greatness of humanity through an artistic vehicle and to introduced the community to the theatre.

Program Goals and Objectives:

Exposure Art's’ goal is to have a training for people of all ages in the Philadelphia area who want to get into the field of performing and technical arts who may have had an interest, but never got to experience or had the opportunity to be exposed to the arts in a professional manner. We want to expose the community to a beautiful and professional environment far from their reality in some neighborhoods where their expression can be extinguish due to drugs, gangs, and violence. The arts have been able to give people confidence and self-esteem; in short, the arts save lives.

[veniceislandpac]

Venice Island Performing Arts Center

Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center's mission and priorities have emerged from the hopes and aspirations expressed by City of Philadelphia and Manayunk neighborhood leaders, the Executive Advisory Board, and over 500 residents who participated in surveying and community conversations.

Together, with the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Department, the purpose of the Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center is to:

Improve the breadth, quality, and diversity of creative opportunities for Philadelphians of all ages participating in Recreation and City Department programs.

See that Venice Island is a vibrant, thriving destination enjoyed by residents and visitors of Philadelphia and the Manayunk community for years to come.

Venice Island will continue to be a welcoming environment where creativity thrives, education is supported, and foundations are created with strong partnerships and models for success.

[themthatdo]

Emionah, 8, gets help from her father as she prepares to dance at a Native American Heritage Celebration at Muhammad Park in Philadelphia. Emionah represents Northern Cheyenne, Pawnee and Seminole nations. She lives in New York. The festival is just getting started and events go until 6pm. #nativeamericanheritage #sacreddrums #themthatdo #phillyparks #philadelphiaparksandrec