#philadelphiaparksandrecreation

Submitted by Kim Cook, Carousel House Farm Manager & Educator

In partnership with the Office of Sustainability, Parks & Rec’s FarmPhilly recently launched its Community Composting Network initiative. Compost systems will soon be built at sites across the city, allowing residents to bring their food and yard waste to be recycled into compost.

Last month, the pilot 3-bin compost bin system was built at Carousel House Farm with the help of PowerCorpsPHL. We're excited to replicate this compost bin system across Philadelphia!

Benefits of the Community Compost Network include:

decreased food waste

decreased greenhouse gases

improved soil quality

new and existing spaces for communities to come together through environmental stewardship

Submitted by Meka Perez

Each year, on PARK(ing) Day, residents, artists, and activists transform metered parking spaces into mini-parks or "parklets". Thanks to two different groups, parts of these parklets will soon transform parts of Winchester Playground and Pleasant Hill Park.

Held on September 20, PARK(ing) Day PHL is part of an annual, daylong global event. This year, 60 volunteer teams designed, built, and installed temporary parks at sites across the city. These parklets:

create useable space for pedestrians.

include benches, tables, bookshelves where passersby can relax.

feature fun, interactive features.

raise awareness of the need for more pedestrian-friendly spaces in urban areas.

Each “PARK(ing)” space measures only 160 square-feet, but they show how a little space can make a big impact. Now that the event is over, the impact will extend to Parks & Rec sites!

Since 2017, the non-profit Community Design Collaborative has generously donated their parklet to Winchester Playground. 

The Fish Hatchery at Pleasant Hill Park will receive a modular seating area built by the design services company Stantec. The seating area will be used during arts & crafts time at the site.

Read more about PARK(ing) Day PHL.

Past parklet recipients include:

2017: Wister Playground

2018: McCreesh Playground & Junior Farmers at Max Myers Playground

2019: Winchester Playground & The Fish Hatchery

Submitted by Jameel Mitchell, RLI at Winchester

Thanks to the Community Design Collaborative (CDC), Winchester Playground has a bright, beautiful space for the after-school program. The CDC participates in the annual PARK(ing) Day design event each year. At the end of the event, they donate their creation to a Parks & Rec site. This year, Winchester was the recipient of their amazing work. 

The structure created by CDC resembles honeycombs. In addition to seating and shelving, the piece includes nature facts. Parents, community members, and the After School kids were excited to participate in the design process. 

Now, the kids enjoy having a special place where they can:

relax.

read.

complete homework.

play some board games.  

The Winchester Community is grateful to have this new installation for all of the kids to enjoy.