5/27/2009 Feltonville Recreation Center gets new playground
Even in an environment of budget challenges, there are corporations dedicated to doings something special for local communities. Shire Pharmaceutical is one such company.
The Feltonville Recreation Center located in Philadelphia, PA is a haven for local kids. In an often over-looked neighborhood, the Center provides a wide range of programs to nearly 500 children each week. The Center offers dance, art and computer classes, swimming, basketball, and baseball, among other varied activities. It is a diverse neighborhood with a broad scope of ethnicities and an estimated 27 different languages spoken. It is a neighborhood that has seen its share of crime and poverty. The Center was home to an often vandalized playground, a rusty fence and a declining basketball court. Fighting against a deficient in the budget, the mayor pleaded to businesses for help in maintaining the community. That was when Shire Pharmaceuticals stepped up.
Shire Pharmaceuticals is a global specialty biopharmaceuticals company with major operations in Chester County. "Helping people is what we do at Shire, and this initiative is a tangible way to illustrate how much our Philadelphia area employees care about communities across the Philadelphia region," said Mike Yasick, senior vice president at Shire. Shire donated $165,000 to update the park, including adding a new playground, new basketball court and handball wall, complete with updated landscaping and new sidewalks. They have also pledged to give $100,000 over three years to the Department of Parks & Recreation to help maintain the park.
The new playground at Feltonville is getting a lot of use. And it has given the community a new and brighter outlook. Residents are taking ownership of their beautiful new park, looking out for the playground to ensure it is safe and maintained and to make sure vandals stay far away. Adults are bringing their children to play, and as the children bond through play, the adults are bonding through conversation, fostering a greater sense of community.
"This playground was made possible by Councilwoman (Maria D. Quinones) Sanchez who was instrumental in working with Shire to get the necessary funds to have the playground renovated," says Russ Horrocks of Marturano Recreation Products, who did the design work for the playground and the poured rubber surface. After meeting with committee members representing Feltonville Recreation Center to get their direction on equipment and color selections, Horrocks laid out the design to meet the space constraints and budget. The GameTime Powerscape Plus play system was installed by Park Corporation out of Limerick, PA, and included stainless steel slides and Xscape swings for both 2-5 and 5-12 age groups.
Shire is hoping others will follow their lead and indeed, they already have. Sherwin-Williams donated paint to the Feltonville Project to refinish the iron fence surrounding the play area and to add a mural to the handball wall. At the grand opening of the new Feltonville playground, many excited children were on hand with parents and city officials to try out the bright equipment. If the squeals of excitement were any indication, the new playground is a big success.
|
|
Follow us on Facebook!
GameTime to appear on Extreme Makeover Home Edition
GameTime featured in ”The Blind Side”
GameTime chosen as "World's Greatest Playground Company!"
GameTime and Hasbro Help West Point Install Inclusive Boundless Playground
Boundless Playground Extreme Home Makeover
GameTime supports the environment in product, program, and practice
First Universally Accessible Playground opens in Chandler, AZ
GameTime selected as Head Start Preferred Provider
PTA President nominated for award
Feltonville Recreation Center gets new playground
Saving money with US Communities
Playground grants available!
Accessible Play Inspires Community
Play Planet
GT Sustainability
Play With No Limits
Introducing RockScape!
Deck coating choices
Free Nature Play Seminar
The greenest possible playground!
GameTime Parcourse helps teens reach fitness goal!
GameTime celebrates opening of Give Kids the World Playground
Kirk and Anne Douglas open another GameTime playground!
GameTime aids reforestation!
A Guide to Evaluating Playground Equipment
Trying to combat childhood obesity?
Boundless playground winner selected!
Twenty Finalists Chosen in "Win a Boundless Playground" contest
Thinking of installing your own playground?
Want to win a playground?
Win a Boundless Playground from GameTime!
Sprayparks-growing in popularity!
Are you building an accessible playground?
GameTime featured on the Today Show!
Are you fundraising for a playground?
See GameTime on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition!
Residents comment on the play area
The Grand Opening Celebration
Alabama Boundless Playground fun for all!
St. Bernard Parish reviews the build
New Playground Equipment!
Looking for a playground grant?
New web feature, 360 degree view of your playground!
Introducing GT Shade!
New Products are the talk of the town at NRPA!
Look, It's a Gizmo(TM)!
GameTime sets sights on Discovery!
New WallCano - a great thing gets even better !
Cosmix Climber(TM) - One component, many options!
GameTime introduces new Spring Pod(TM) and Balance Pod(TM)!
Important news about swings!
Is your playground newsworthy?
GTH20 Catalog available NOW!
GameTime introduces the new F5
Playground slides with a new twist!
New water play components now available!
GameTime introduces two new surfacing options!
GameTime introduces new, bigger than ever catalog!
Adam's Place recognized as a Playground of Excellence
Three steps to playground funding
Governor Proclaims National Playground Safety Week
GameTime continues to lead the way in ADA research and accessibility
We've got the Power!
Story Archive
August, 2010
May, 2010
December, 2009
August, 2009
May, 2009
January, 2009
December, 2008
October, 2008
September, 2008
August, 2008
July, 2008
May, 2008
March, 2008
July, 2007
June, 2007
May, 2007
February, 2007
January, 2007
October, 2006
September, 2006
May, 2006
April, 2006
March, 2006
January, 2006
November, 2005
February, 2005
November, 2004
May, 2004
April, 2004
July, 2003
April, 2003
January, 2003
|
|
