Philly Parks Searching for Summer Interns

May 3, 2010

PHS and the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation are preparing for another summer of the Youth Environmental Stewardship program (YES). Running from July 6 to August 13, YES is a six-week employment opportunity that teaches Philadelphia teenagers the importance of neighborhood parks.

Right now YES organizers are taking applications from energetic, outdoorsy teens. Click here for application information. YES participants should look forward to increasing their awareness of ecology while performing hands-on stewardship at a neighborhood park or recreation center. The program operates Monday – Friday, four hours each morning for a total of 20 hours per week.

Site-specific duties may include any of the following:

• Sweeping, raking, weeding and general park cleanup
• Planting perennials and/or annuals
• Removing invasive species in wooded areas and/or in shallow ponds
• Maintaining trails
• Using small non-motorized hand tools: shovels, pruners, rakes, etc.
• Conducting a community greening survey
• Bringing environmental awareness to community/ conducting outreach on relevant topics such as recycling
• Planning and preparing visual and written materials of summer project

Participating Parks and Recreation Facilities:

• Papa Playground and Morris Park (68th & Lansdowne Ave.)
• East Park and Mander Playground (2140 N. 33rd St)
• Laura Simms Skate House and Cobbs Creek Park (Cobbs Cr., Pkwy. & Walnut St.)
• Awbury REC Center (Ardleigh & Haines)
• Olney REC Center and Tacony Creek Park (E. Champlost St & A St)
• Hunting Park REC Center (9th & Hunting Park)
• Ramp REC Center and Pennypack Park (Rowland & Solly)

Questions? Contact Elissa Ruse, YES Coordinator, at 215-988-8796 or email eruse@pennhort.org.