City officials and Kingsessing community members gathered on Tuesday, Aug. 25, to celebrate the grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting of the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center located at 58th and Kingsessing. Following a comprehensive $27 million renovation, the 148-year-old Southwest Philadelphia facility has been completely transformed into a modern, fully accessible hub for neighborhood residents.

The extensive overhaul preserved the historic integrity of the original 1878 structure while completely reimagining its interior and exterior footprint. The expanded facility now features:

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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:

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With the school year wrapping up and summer officially on the horizon, one of Philadelphia’s most anticipated warm-weather traditions is finally getting underway. On Friday, June 12, Mayor Cherelle Parker and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation officials took the ceremonial “first jump” at Fairmount Park’s Kelly Pool to officially launch the city’s 2026 outdoor pool season.

This summer, the city is preparing to operate 63 public pools—four more than last year—opening them on a staggered, rolling basis between now and Monday, July 6.

For neighbors looking to stay cool close to home, here is what you need to know about West Philadelphia’s public pool openings, upgrades, and schedules this summer.

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City officials and community members gathered Friday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the $4.5 million revitalization of the West Mill Creek playground and plaza located at 5100 Parrish St.. Completed in just six months, the community-driven project transforms a historically neglected space into a safer, greener public hub just in time for summer.

Funded primarily through the City’s Rebuild initiative (supported by the Philadelphia Beverage Tax), the project also received a $600,000 state grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Local Share Account program and a $500,000 contribution from 3rd District Councilmember Jamie Gauthier. Continue Reading

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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