Volunteers at work at the site of the Johnny Sample (Cobbs Creek) Recreation Center, which is undergoing renovation.

City officials, community organizations, and residents gathered Friday at Johnny Sample (Cobbs Creek) Recreation Center in West Philadelphia for a Community Planting Day, which included a preview of the nearly completed $15 million facility renovation before its official opening in the fall. The event brought together Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy, Rebuild Philadelphia, and community volunteers to plant 2,000 native species and enhance green spaces on the grounds of the recreation center.

Led by Fairmount Park Conservancy, volunteers added native plants to the renovated recreation center’s landscape. More greenery and connection between the recreation center and the park’s natural environment were key priorities identified during the project’s community engagement phase.

The Johnny Sample Recreation Center renovation, funded through the city’s Rebuild initiative, includes partial demolition and new two-story construction, a renovated basketball gymnasium, new multipurpose and fitness rooms with boxing facilities, comprehensive ADA accessibility upgrades, including an elevator and accessible restrooms, and extensive site improvements with new lighting and landscaping. The project is also pursuing LEED sustainability certification.

The site is one of four Rebuild projects in the Cobbs Creek community, totaling $30 million in investment. Completed projects include Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center, Cobbs Creek Nature Playground, and Blanche A. Nixon Library. The recreation center renovation is expected to be completed later this year, with programming continuing at the Laura Sims Skate House during final construction phases.

Residents interested in supporting Philadelphia parks can visit Love Your Park to learn more about opportunities near them.