Dozens of City and community-based organizations joined Mayor Nutter to celebrate the merger of the Department of Parks and Recreation
Philadelphia, June 24 2010—Today Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis, celebrated the merger of the Parks and Recreation Department at the Green Ribbon Event. The event highlighted innovative and collaborative projects occurring in the Fishtown community. These projects increase access and connectivity to green space, expand recreational opportunities and enhance the quality of life for community residents.
The celebration took place at the Shissler Recreation Center in Fishtown, a facility that demonstrates the heightened impact and value of the newly merged Parks and Recreation Department. The current revitalization project is a collaborative effort between City agencies, non-profits and community based organizations to benefit kids and the community while building toward a greener future. The new Department will continue to seek and create collaborative partnerships that benefit the City of Philadelphia while furthering the Department’s goal of becoming the nation’s premier park and recreation system.
The enhancements at Shissler Recreation Center include a new athletic field, construction of a pervious surfaced parking lot, creation of rain gardens and tree trenches for storm water management, enhanced recreational programming and significant site improvements that were made possible through the Philadelphia Water Department, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, New Kensington Community Development Corporation and the Mural Arts Program.
“These are the kind of transformative changes we can make in neighborhoods across the city when we coordinate our activities, work together and leverage our resources,” said Mayor Nutter. “It’s always a good idea to work collaboratively-great innovation and inspiration is the result of collaboration-however in these challenging financial times, it’s clear that only the Cities, non-profits and community groups that work together will be able to continue enriching the lives of the people they serve.”
Ribbons are a sign of unity and awareness and a green ribbon is an appropriate symbol and theme for the Department’s launch. Green ribbons adorned the lapels of speakers and event attendees symbolizing both the City’s and the Department’s green future. Green ribbons were also tied on trees, lamp posts, doors and signs along the newly established “Green Ribbon” from Shissler Recreation Center to the Delaware River. Fishtown’s “Green Ribbon” is the walkable green corridor from Shissler Recreation Center through Palmer Park along Columbia Avenue to Girard Avenue and culminating at Penn Treaty Park on the Delaware River.
“When we invest in our communities, we are investing in our children,” said Parks and Recreation Commissioner Michael Diberardinis. “It’s not a coincidence that many of these collaborative projects align with our department’s goal of keeping the City’s youth safe, active, healthy, ready to learn, and connected to their communities, parks, recreation centers and the natural world. I look forward to collaborating with other organizations that understand our mission, share our vision and want to help us achieve our goals.”
###
MURAL ARTS PROGRAM
The Mural Arts Program is the nation’s largest mural program. Since 1984, Mural Arts has created over 3,000 murals and works of public art, earning Philadelphia international recognition as the “City of Murals.” Mural Arts engages over 100 communities each year in the transformation of neighborhoods through the mural making process, while award-winning, free art education programs serve nearly 2,000 youth at sites throughout the city and at-risk teens through education outreach programs. Mural Arts also serves adult offenders in local prisons and rehabilitation centers, using the restorative power of art to break the cycle of crime and violence in our communities. Each year, nearly 10,000 residents and visitors tour Mural Arts’ outdoor art gallery, which has become part of Philadelphia’s civic landscape and a source of pride and inspiration.
For further information, call 215-685-0750 or visit www.muralarts.org.
PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Founded in 1827, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society transforms communities and lives through horticulture. Its acclaimed urban revitalization program, Philadelphia Green, restores neighborhood parks, creates community gardens, conducts large-scale tree plantings, revitalizes vacant land, and maintains treasured public landscapes. For more information, visit PHSOnline.org.
