Francis J. Myers Recreation Center is already slated to receive an investment from Rebuild Philadelphia – the City’s historic investment in parks, recreation centers, and libraries – and this past summer Rebuild unveiled new athletics courts and a soccer mini pitch as part of the first phase of the project.
The grant awarded by the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) will grow the amount of transformation Rebuild can make at the site during phase two where Rebuild plans to address the historic recreation center and gymnasium as well as other potential site improvements.
“I want to express my gratitude to our partners at the state level, specifically Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, for her unwavering support and advocacy for public spaces like the F.J. Myers Recreation Center,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “This support from RACP will enable us to transform FJ Myers into a dynamic space to learn, grow, and play.”
“The Francis J. Myers Rec Center is a critical hub that many of our neighbors, especially our young people, rely on in southwest Philly,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “As we face the challenges of gun violence and work to find effective solutions, it’s places like Myers Rec that play a vital role in our fight to protect our neighborhoods by providing our children with important activities, resources, and a safe space to frequent. I am so grateful for all that they do for our community and am excited for the upgrades that these dollars will make happen.”
"I want to congratulate Pennsylvania House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton for bringing $4.5 million from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania back to Philadelphia to fund additional upgrades to the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center in southwest Philadelphia, " said Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson (Second District). "Francis Myers is located in the Second Council District and I am committed to fighting in City Council to bring funding to all recreation centers in Center City, South and Southwest Philadelphia to make them even better places for Philadelphians to enjoy for years to come."
Last week, Rebuild Philadelphia held their first community engagement and design event for the second phase of the project - residents can view those materials and respond with their thoughts via a survey at http://bit.ly/FJMyersProject.
“The announcement of this additional funding hit just days after an incredible community engagement event at Francis J. Myers Recreation Center,” said Kira Strong, Rebuild Executive Director. “We are overjoyed at the opportunity to grow our impact at this very important site through this additional support.”
“Our parks and recreation centers are the lifeblood of the communities they serve,” said Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commissioner, Kathryn Ott Lovell. “We are so grateful Rep. McClinton and the Commonwealth have recognized this through this incredible investment in Philadelphia families and public space. ”
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REBUILD is a historic investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in neighborhood parks, recreation centers and libraries across Philadelphia. Proposed in Mayor Jim Kenney’s first budget as a part of his vision for a more equitable Philadelphia, Rebuild’s promise to acknowledge history, engage the community and invest intentionally seeks to uplift pivotal community spaces, empower neighborhoods, and promote economic opportunity through diversity and inclusion.
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) advances the prosperity of the city and the progress of its people through stewardship of nearly 10,200 acres of public land and waterways, and management of 500 recreation buildings, 166 miles of trail, and 250 playgrounds. PPR offers safe, enjoyable recreation, environmental and cultural programs and events throughout Philadelphia's parks and recreation system. PPR promotes the well-being and growth of the city’s residents by connecting them to the natural world, to each other and to fun, physical and social opportunities. In 2017, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, set about implementing the park system’s first strategic plan: Our Path to 2020 and Beyond. As a result, PPR is undertaking a period of historic change, setting the department on a course to become a modern, equitable and exceptional parks and recreation system. Visit us at www.phila.gov/parksandrec, and follow @philaparkandrec on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.