The first public meeting of the new Commission on Parks & Recreation will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the Horticultural Center, on Montgomery Drive in West Fairmount Park. The center is accessible by Septa bus routes #38, 40, 43, 64.
Click here for a copy of the agenda.<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=HJBo0rskhKxbPsmDmOiB5VuCUziM19A1>
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And in Department news, Parks and Recreation Commissioner DiBerardinis recently announced a set of department-wide operational imperatives. Using feedback from the Department of Parks and Recreation Fall 2009 community meetings, the below "Operational Imperatives" have been developed. These are identified as essential standards to which the Department's daily activities will aspire and adhere.
1. SAFETY
All of our facilities, trail, parks and other amenities must be physically safe but also feel safe to all participants and staff.
2. CLEAN, ATTRACTIVE AND FULLY FUNCTIONAL FACILITIES
Our buildings, fields and parks, along with all of our other public assets, must be clean and welcoming. All assets must also be maintained in optimum condition for ready use by individuals and groups.
3. PROGRAMS FOR ALL
While we will make significant investments in youth development programming, it is incumbent upon us to provide enriching, relevant and accessible activities for people of all ages and interests.
4. CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
With the new department responsible for 13% of Philadelphia's land mass, it is of the utmost importance to the city's present and future that we take the appropriate actions to preserve and sustain the city's green space. This holds true for the large wooded areas of the parkland as well as for neighborhood parks and playgrounds.
The Department of Parks and Recreation continues to advance the merger process. At the end of calendar year 2009, the Department submitted it's first-ever combined budget for review. Moving forward, there will be more opportunities for community input. In the meantime, you may contact the Department with feedback and ideas by emailing merger.feedback@phila.gov<mailto:merger.feedback@phila.gov>.
The Philadelphia Parks Alliance will continue to keep you updated as this process moves forward.
