One of the city’s oldest recreation centers has reopened after a two-and-a-half-year long renovation. On Friday, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, city and state officials, representatives of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Kingsessing community members celebrated the reopening of Kingsessing Recreation Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Through its Rebuild Philadelphia program, the City has invested $27 million to modernize the facility, which originally opened in 1916, while preserving its historic character. Upgrades include renovated interior spaces, a new artificial turf field, an accessible playground, and improved community gathering areas.

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Rebuild Philadelphia has kicked off another public space renovation and transformation project in West Philadelphia. On Thursday, Rebuild, city officials, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, and community members gathered at 51st and Parrish to break ground on the West Mill Creek Playground and Plaza.

The project is part of a $4.5 million investment through the city’s Rebuild program, supported by a $600,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Local Share Account program and $500,000 from Councilmember Jaime Gauthier (3rd District) through the Improvement to Existing Facilities (ITEF) program.

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Photo by Berri Wilmore for UCD

Here’s a great chance to participate in a vital neighborhood improvement project. Phase 2 of the Walnut Hill Playground renovation project has kicked off and help from community members is necessary to make this part of the project a success.

Phase I included installing a new retaining wall with seating, and now it is time to install plants in the garden bed, so that next spring the space is alive with color and texture. A volunteer day for this project has been scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 47th and Sansom where the playground is located. University City District (UCD), which is leading this project along with community partners, will provide the plants, tools and instructions.

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This week, Work to Ride announced the opening of the McCausland Arena, a brand-new equestrian facility in West Fairmount Park designed to expand the access to equestrian sports for urban youth.

The 45,000-square-foot indoor arena features expanded pastures that have increased in size from 3.5 to 5.5 acres and updated learning areas where the Work to Ride program will continue to host lessons, clinics, and tournaments. The new facility allows Work to Ride to expand community programming while creating year-round opportunities for participants to advance their skills, connect with peers, and experience the lifelong benefits of equestrian sports.

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There are some exciting updates regarding the “Clark Park Plan,” which provides an outline for park development and investments. Approved by the city in 2023, the plan includes improvements such as new multi-age playgrounds, a multi-height basketball hoop, a permanent bathroom, an outdoor workout area, new walkways, and more.

On Saturday, Aug. 16 from 2-3 p.m., the Friends of Clark Park will be hosting a celebration where community members can learn more about upcoming improvements at the park and kick off the playground design process. There will be multiple speakers, including Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, State Rep. Rick Krajewski, Mayor Cherelle Parker (or a representative), a representative from Parks and Recreation, and Friends of Clark Park president Ben Sirolly.

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The Kingsessing Pool, which was closed for renovation for more than two years, has just reopened to the public. The public outdoor pool, located at 49th and Kingsessing, is open for free swim from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and from noon to 5 p.m. on weekends. Family/adult swim is on weekdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The pool renovation project is part of the extensive renovation of the Kingsessing Rec Center, conducted by Rebuild Philadelphia, the city-run program that invests millions of dollars in improving community spaces and facilities. The Kingsessing Library has also been recently renovated as part of this project.

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