Support Philadelphia's Parks at City Council On Monday

Do you support better funding for Philadelphia's parks? There's a chance to show your support by attending a City Council budget hearing on Monday!

Tell the City to keep its promises to our parks

The Parks Alliance and dozens of allied organizations are calling on Philadelphia City Council and Mayor Nutter to restore the remaining $5 million in promised funding for the Department of Park & Recreation for fiscal year (FY) 2014.

The Parks Alliance is calling on park supporters to demonstrate that support at the upcoming City Council Budget Hearing. Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis will be testifying and they are seeking to pack the Council chambers with Park and Recreation advocates from every neighborhood in the city.

What: City Council Budget Hearing On Dept. of Parks and Recreation
When: Monday, April 8th, 12:30– 2pm
Where: City Hall, Room 400 (need ID to enter building)

Wissahickon Gateway Public Meeting on Nov. 1st

The above represents one trail option under consideration by Parks & Recreation

The above represents one trail option under consideration by Parks & Recreati

The Wissahickon Gateway is one of the most critical gaps in the Schuylkill River Trail.  Bicycle riders have been waiting for years to learn how the City will approach closing this gap.

Please attend this public meeting on Thursday, November 1st at 6:30pm to learn about the preliminary engineering study that the City's Parks and Recreation Department has conducted over the past 18 months.

How will the trail cross the Wissahickon Creek? How will it weave through SEPTA and PECO's properties on Ridge Avenue?  Will it follow the river's edge or the sidewalk on Ridge Ave and Main Street?  All of these issues have been considered and will be presented on.

Wissahickon Gateway Public Meeting, Thursday, Nov. 1st at 6:30pm, Gustine Rec. Center at 4700 Ridge Avenue.

CORRECTION: THE TIME OF THE MEETING IS 6:30-8:30PM

Bring Your Park-Related Safety Concerns To Parks Meeting Wed 9/19

Source: Philadelphia's Department of Parks and Recreation 

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission on Parks and Recreation will be held at Lloyd Hall (#1 Boathouse Row) on September 19th. Commission meetings are opportunities to learn about important developments in the parks and recreation system and for residents to share concerns about challenges in their park or recreation center with the advisory commission. In this meeting, the Commission is focusing on safety.

This is a great chance for those park users who ride bicycles to bring to the attention of the Commission staff any issues or concerns you have with the multi-use path on the Drives and Schuylkill Banks or elsewhere in the East Fairmount Park or Centennial District.   

What:    Philadelphia Park and Recreation Commission Meeting

When:   Wednesday, September 19th at 6pm

Where:  Lloyd Hall (#1 Boathouse Row)

Supporting Philadelphia's Parks

Fairmount Park looks great despite, not because of, its funding

The Philadelphia Parks Alliance is leading a push to increase funding for Philadelphia's parks system. The Inquirer agreed that, despite the Parks & Recreation Dept. doing much with little, we as a city should be caring more about the state of our public green spaces.

The Parks Alliance has organized an e-mail campaign to City Council, showing support for increasing funding by $8 million (small change in the current budget discussions). Some council members have shown support for the idea, so now is a critical time to back them up with public support. You can send the e-mail and tell them why parks matter to you right here.

Mayor Nutter Thanks Everyone, Drops Some Great Quotes At Bike To Work Day

"It is absolutely the best way to get to work. I always look forward to Bike to Work Day...This is the best thing I'm going to do today."

That was Mayor Nutter in Love Park this morning, speaking in front of press and a crowd of more than 100 cyclists for Bike To Work Day.

The event was well-attended by a wide spectrum of Philadelphia officials. Mayor Nutter, Deputy Mike DiBerardinis from Parks & Recreation, and Councilman Mark Squilla all participated in the ride. Deputy Mayor Rina Culter from MOTU joined us for the press conference.

One inspiring part of the event was the number of Philadelphia-based bicycling-related companies and organizations involved. In attendance was ZipCar (car-sharing), Fuji (major bicycling manufacturer), Gearing Up (bicycling-focused social service), Wash Cycle (bicycle-powered laundry service), Cosmic Cafe (food vendor for bike/ped trail), Pedal Co-Op (recycling and delivery) and Wheel Fun (bicycle rentals). Taken together, they represent a city with an established and growing bicycle culture.

Mayor Nutter used his remarks to thank a wide variety of event participants (including our own Alex Doty and Sarah Clark Stuart by name). He also hit on some important subjects for Philadelphia bicyclists:

Lloyd Hall Cafe Contract out for Bid

Philadelphia's Department of Parks and Recreation has posted a Request for Proposals for managing the Lloyd Hall Cafe.  Mandatory pre-proposal meeting and tour is scheduled for August 3rd and proposals are due August 27th.