#starrgarden

[ninedragonsphotography]

Yarnbomb! On the way to the printer. . . . . . #yarnbombing #yarnbombers #philadelphia #philly #starrgarden #urbanphotography #urbanlife #streetphotography #streetart #myneighborhood https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ns5weBlR_/?igshid=sxn19wwawv9d

[philaparkandrec]

Starr Garden Playground building's mural makeover!

Starr Garden Playground's multi-purpose room underwent a makeover this summer. The space, which hosts youth programs, now sports a beautiful mural.

Volunteers from Carousel Connections of Haverford painted the mural. Earlier in the summer, the organization volunteered to clean the park on a bi-weekly basis. The community greatly appreciated these efforts.

Carousel Connections creates opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities. Participants learn to live, work, and get involved in their community. They also gain independence.

The Starr Garden community, especially our after school students, appreciate the mural. Special thanks to Amy LaGrotte, Ashley Swaim, Natasha Black, Isabel Cohen, Mo McGuire, Kate McNulty, Carley Burke, Naysa Henderson, and Cameron Stalker for their help and services!

[bindingthings-blog]

I retrieved my Chimera today after it was brought to my attention that it was rather damaged. (Thanks @foodbabysoul ) According to my arbitrary rules that govern my yarn actions....the chimera is mine again, but I will replace it with something related soon. #yarnbomb #yarnbombing #crochet #crochetart #urbancrochet #installation #installationart #fiberart #philly #phillystreetart #streetart #philadelphia #starrgarden #damaged #inprocessinstallation

[philaparkandrec]

PPR Celebrates National Poetry Month

Did you know that April is National Poetry Month? To celebrate, we bring you a collection of poems written by PPR staff and program participants.

The Epitome of Artistry

By Barry Farber, Venice Island Performing Arts Recreation Center

Punctuating the sidewalk Touching art with your feet Tattooed onto the pavement Embracing a Manayunk street

Follow a cityscape path from Pretzel Park to Venice Island Then arrive on foot To a watery Wonderland

And soon it will become Abundantly clear That something wonderful Is happening here

A green pump station, a recreational public park And a performing arts center is there When we came to the site There was live music permeating the air

Ecologically and enviornmentally sound Above and below the ground Harnessing the storm water When it rains all around   ...as if a dream come true   ...envisioned before you   ...we stepped into a bright future   ...a Watery Wonderland, THE EPITOME OF ARTISTRY

Two Sisters

By Chris Windle, Recreation Leader at Starr Garden Playground They’d come each remaining day, one late summer… Between camp’s conclusion and September’s shortening shadow. They’d come to draw the last scraps of summer’s fading promise. – to a tiny one room “school house”. What did I have? A tub of broken crayons…a ream of rough paper, a stack of battered water color sets and stiff plastic brushes. This was all that was left, which I offered with an apology… sad remnants, as I saw it, of other Children’s happy summer, left behind. Just a modest note, Truth can be oblique, residing in small places, usually not announcing itself. You may not understand it or even see it at all…at first… (It can sleep in memory, too.) With September they were gone, of course, then soon after the schoolhouse and I were as well. They left me with something though. A banner… a pronouncement, in bold black and pale blue Paint, on pink construction paper, edged in green and yellow…and stamped all over in swirls and crazy zig-zags. Stating, asserting… THE WORLD IS GOOD! Each time I look at it, I know… It is an affirmation… And a challenge.

Brother By Alberta Gibson, Facility Supervisor at John Anderson Cultural Center

A breeze flows through my mind. It carries with it thoughts of a time when you were still here. You were always bringing home the pets when we were kids. The ducks around Spring time, the dogs around winter, the frogs in Summer. Colonel came home in your basket on your bike when you worked your paper route. He was a fluffy puppy and the best dog we ever had.   The ducks you brought home were presents for Mom around Easter time. We put them in the kiddie pool, remember?   Do you remember the bike ride to the river to get Mom some sun flowers? I'm sure you do! I miss your smile, your voice, your odd stories. Your quirky ways, your phone calls and all the things that made you, you! I even miss your temper! Time seems to have stood still when we were children for a while and then, all at once it vanished, all too quickly somehow....   You are always in my heart and I will be forever grateful that God gave me such a special person in my life for a short time. I miss you David, my friend, my buddy, my brother.