#capitoloplayground

On December 4, Mayor Jim Kenney welcomed a large crowd to the lighting of Philadelphia’s holiday tree. The annual celebration features local performers handpicked by city officials. This year, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s youth chorale kicked-off the celebration. 

The Chorale, led by Recreation Specialty Instructor Randi Thompson, sang four songs. These included  “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

The group is comprised of participants in Parks & Rec’s after school programs. This year’s chorale included youth from Hawthorne Cultural Center and Capitolo Playground.

Midway through the performance, a special guest joined the group. The Phillie Phanatic took to the stage to help 'conduct' the audience. He encouraged the crowd to sing, to the delight of the performers. 

Performing Arts Program Coordinator Bill Powell noted, "It was awesome to have the Phanatic conduct the audience. Maybe next year he'll bring his mom.”

We appreciate all of the volunteers who help make our playgrounds and recreation centers safe, welcoming, and fun places! Capitolo Playground Recreation Leader Gerard Walsh shares his shout-out for a volunteer who’s made a real difference at the facility: Graham Bailer. 

“Graham runs the Capitolo Youth Soccer Club (CYSC) in South Philly for ages 3 to 10 with spring and fall programs. The CYSC program formed in the last five to seven years after the previous program that Graham helped with had gone through a transition. 

The program started with about 30 kids before growing to about 40 in the second year, 60 in the third year, and ballooning to 182 this past season in the fall. The program couldn't have expanded in the way that it did without Graham’s ability to successfully recruit volunteers. At one point the program was just run by him, then he had help from local college soccer players for a year, and then from parents that have kids in the CYSC program. This past season, they had 42 coaches and another 10 to 15 volunteers that helped out.”