Tag: maria quinones-sanchez

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Carmella Playground Major Improvements

Kristin Wisniewski, Recreation Leader, welcomed the group to Carmella Playground on December 4th.  It was an informative and productive meeting for the 20 residents who attended to hear about plans for the facility.  The $500,000 project is being funded by a combination of City and State funds thanks to Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sanchez and State Representative Jason Dawkins.

There will be new equipment in the children’s play area, some adult fitness features too, new landscaping and a water feature for the warm weather.  It is an ambitious and much-needed upgrade that is planned to be finished by the start of the Summer, IF THE WEATHER COOPERATES.  If that schedule cannot be maintained, the project will be moved back to start up in the Fall.

Residents questioned how the project would be managed.  At present, areas of the Playground look like a construction zone.  One area of contention came from the users of the Whitehall Skate Park on the Torresdale Avenue side which is not included in this project.  The users feel that they should get some attention since it does get heavy use.  Some of the athletes involved are likely to be in contention for Olympic participation when Skateboarding becomes an Olympic sport in 2020.

Councilwoman Sanchez discusses the project

Councilwoman Sanchez responded that the park has only recently fallen into her Councilmatic District and she was not involved in the planning for this project.  However, as she has stated at other meetings involving recreation facilities, users have to become active participants in the advisory councils or Friends groups of these facilities in order to have a say in the future improvements.

The members of the skateboard group said they would become involved.  Also at the meeting were representatives of The Block Gives Back who are actively involved at the Playground and they will also look to become active on the Advisory Council.

The participants at the meeting approved the plan presented at the meeting with some suggestions and future communication with the participants will come via email.  Pictures below are some renderings of what the equipment will look like when the project is complete,

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Come Meet Councilwoman Sanchez

Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sánchez, invites you to join her for

“Conversation with Councilwoman Series”

Saturday, March 10th from 10 AM to 12 PM at the Northeast Frankford Boys and Girls Club at 1709 Kinsey Street

Tuesday, March 13th from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Gambrel Recreation Center at 1900 Wakeling Street

Monday, March 19th from 10 AM to 12 PM at the Simpson Recreation Center at 1010 Arrott Street

 

Space is limited; reservation is required.  Please call 215-686-3448

or email:  quetcy.lozada@phila.gov

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The Frankford Pause is Moving Ahead

Yesterday afternoon, the Frankford CDC officially broke ground on the first phase of the much-anticipated Frankford Pause Park at 4671-73 Paul Street near SEPTA’s Arrott Transportation Center and next door to the Frankford CDC’s new offices at the Daral Building.

This first phase of the park includes bright pink artificial turf stripes on the ground and on the surrounding walls to illustrate the sound of the passing elevated Market-Frankford Line; planting beds; planter-benches; trees; and a stage area. During the first phase, the Frankford CDC will pilot different types of community programming and observe how the space is used and how people interact with the space, informing adjustments to the later phases and final design.

Further, this phase will allow the space to be put to active use while additional funds are raised for the full, final buildout of the park. Completion of the first phase is anticipated to finish by the end of October. Community Planting Days will be held on Friday, October 27th, and Saturday, October 28th, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. The Frankford Garden Club will be supervising the planting and hosting workshops throughout the planting days.

The Frankford Pause Park was conceptualized through a community design process with the Community Design Collaborative in 2014 as part of the Frankford CDC and Philadelphia City Planning Commission’s Destination Frankford initiative. LOCUS Partners has prepared full construction drawings for the final buildout. Alexa Bosse of Hinge Collective, who worked on the initial conceptual design, designed the pilot phase which is currently under construction.

Funding for this phase of Frankford Pause Park comes from ArtPlace America and the Frankford CDC. Future phases have funding commitments from Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, the Philadelphia Department of Commerce, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

(left to right): Ileana Garcia (Frankford CDC), Rafael Alvarez (Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez), Larissa Klevan (Philadelphia City Planning Commission), Ellie Devyatkin (Frankford CDC), State Representative Jason Dawkins, Kimberly Washington (Frankford CDC), Ian Litwin (Philadelphia City Planning Commission), Alexa Bosse (Hinge Collective), Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, Christine DeJesus (Frankford CDC), Charlie Bugg (State Representative Jason Dawkins).

Present at the groundbreaking were Frankford CDC Executive Director Kimberly Washington, City Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, State Representative Jason Dawkins, City Planners Larissa Klevan and Ian Litwin, Landscape Architect Alexa Bosse, contractor Ruban Villatoro, and staff from the offices of Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, State Representative Dawkins, and the Frankford CDC.

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Movie Night in Overington Park

Our second movie night in Overington Park, went off without a hitch, on Thursday August 15. Over 150 people showed up to enjoy the cool summer evening with their neighbors, watching the movie The Avengers! movie night in the park

This time the projection went off a bit late but the equipment was in good working order. Everyone talked about how the park was looking good this summer, and that they bring their children there almost every day. The Friends group accepted thanks for their good work as they handed out snacks. Being in the park at night thrilled the small ones. Shrieks of laughter could be heard thru out the evening. It was wonderful to see so many families coming into the park for a shared good time with their community. State Representative James Clay, sponsored the film and printed up flyers.

Friends of Overington Park , with the support of our councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez, supplied the snacks, and the venue.

The Friend’s next event will be on September 28th, from 12 till 3pm, Third Annual Art Under The Trees. We will have a chalk art contest, craft project, and more. Please come out and bring you flair for color with you. Prizes will be awarded.

Once again, thanks to everyone who supports Overington Park, the park belongs to us all and we need everyone pulling together to make it shine!

 
Diane Kunze
Friends of Overington Park
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27th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration

Well over 100 people crowded into the Sankofa Freedom Academy on Monday for the 27th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration sponsored by the Frankford Coalition of Neighbors.  It is a signature Frankford event that brings everyone together.  Coincidentally on the same day as the inauguration of the first African American president, the timing was perfect.  We have a short slide show below along with some comments by Councilwoman María Quiñones-Sánchez.

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