City and state officials joined West Philadelphia residents to cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Johnny Sample (Cobbs Creek) Recreation Center, celebrating the completion of a major $15 million transformation.

Located at 250 Cobbs Creek Parkway, the recreation center has long served as an essential anchor for sports, youth programming, and neighborhood gatherings. This extensive overhaul elevates the facility into a modern, accessible hub for all ages.

Designed by SITIO Architecture + Urbanism, the comprehensive renovation features a blend of newly constructed spaces and refreshed interior facilities:

• A two-story building addition which includes expanded programming spaces, flex rooms for small group activities, and a multi-purpose room tailored for large community gatherings.
• A dedicated fitness & boxing suite equipped with a new boxing ring, heavy bags, speed bags, and athletic flooring.
• A refreshed gymnasium complete with refinished basketball courts, updated backboards, and new rims.
• Modern amenities & upgrades, including a new lobby and reception area, an updated kitchenette, new furniture, interior lighting, and state-of-the-art HVAC and roofing systems.
• Accessibility & landscape enhancements which help connect the facility to the surrounding Cobbs Creek Park trail.

The project was spearheaded through the City’s Rebuild program—Philadelphia’s initiative investing hundreds of millions of dollars into public parks, recreation centers, and libraries.

Additional grant support was provided by the Knight Foundation and a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Local Share Account (LSA) grant awarded to the Fairmount Park Conservancy, who managed community engagement and design oversight alongside project partners. The City of Philadelphia’s Capital Program Office (CPO) oversaw construction and management functions.

First renamed in 2019, the center honors Johnny Sample, the legendary professional football player who was born in Virginia, raised in Philadelphia, and went on to win three professional football championships (NFL, AFL, and Super Bowl III).

The revitalized facility stands as a vibrant testament to his legacy—offering West Philadelphia youth a welcoming space to learn, play, and grow for generations to come.

Photos by Rebuild Philadelphia