Volunteers came together to lend a dilapidated playground a neighborly hand on June 17 to revamp the Clayborn & Lewis Playground in West Philadelphia.
DCNR staffers Jeff Knowles and Drew Gilchrist joined over 80 people in planting shrubs and flower beds; installing new playground equipment; removing trash and litter from the entire site; redesigning a new bulletin board; and putting a fresh coat of paint on the basketball court, walls and benches at the playground.
The event was part of the Pennsylvania Municipal League’s Annual Conference and provided an opportunity to build camaraderie among the elected and appointed officials across the state while they “gave back” to the community.
It has become a tradition that the League kicks off each annual convention by improving and beautifying a playground in the host community, creating lasting outdoor recreation for children and families.
This year’s project was funded in part by a DCNR grant of $75,000 Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant and was completed in partnership with DCNR, Philadelphia City, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, and the PA Municipal League.
Over the past five years the League and DCNR have also partnered to improve playgrounds in Bethlehem, State College, Erie and Pittsburgh. The next playground build is scheduled for June, 2015 in Allentown.
(Reprinted from the July 9 DCNR Resource newsletter. Click Here to register to receive your own copy (bottom of the page))