Opportunities to invest in Rebuild will be dynamic, driven in large part by Rebuild’s emphasis on community engagement to ensure that community priorities are understood and taken into consideration in the design process. As a result, many investment opportunities will evolve while others, such as opportunities to support Rebuild’s workforce development program, will be ongoing. This page will be updated with investment opportunities as they emerge.
Vare Recreation Center
2600 Morris Street (Grays Ferry/Point Breeze)
“Vare is a place where people can’t just hear about it, they have to experience it. When you look at the programs and the relationships that form here you start to see a whole different thing. If you want to know it, you have to be a part of it.” - Clinton Carter, Head of the teen summer camp at Vare
Vare Recreation Center serves the Grays Ferry and Point Breeze neighborhoods in South Philadelphia and is home to a variety of beloved neighborhood activities, including basketball and a renowned gymnastics program.
The center was forced to close in the fall of 2017 after it was deemed unsafe by structural engineers hired by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. In December, the first floor of Vare was re-opened after temporary improvements were made to secure the building. Vare will likely be forced to shut down again if more permanent improvements are not made.
Funding for Vare will support a brand-new master plan for Vare which will include new plans for the building, fields, basketball courts, and playgrounds. The project will include a community engagement and design process to ensure that the improvements support the programs and activities that are priorities for neighbors.
Read more about Vare and the great programs offered there:
- Blog post on Vare and the programs offered at the center
- Press release for announcement of Vare as Rebuild project
Olney Recreation Center
100 E Godfrey Avenue (Olney)
“We’re at a point where we can only do so much. We’re ready to be upgraded. We need a new gym floor, a new roof, basketball and tennis courts, and computers for the community.” - Emily Coleman, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Employee at Olney Recreation Center
Olney Recreation Center serves the Olney section of Philadelphia. The recreation center is a true community hub offering free and low-cost programs such as after school programs, basketball, football, softball, arts and crafts, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, performing arts, and more. The recreation center has a long list of needs including a new gym floor, roof, and basketball and tennis courts.
Funding for Olney will support improvements to the facility through a new master plan which will also include nearby fields at Hammond and Nedro Avenues. The project will include a community engagement and design process to ensure that the improvements support the programs and activities that are priorities for neighbors.
Read more about the project:
- Blog post on Olney and the programs offered at the center
- Press release for the announcement of Olney as one of the first Rebuild projects
Parkside Fields
5300 Parkside Avenue/West Fairmount Park (Parkside)
Making dowithout a home field to play or practice on has been an unfortunate reality for many of the schools and youth sports leagues in and around the Parkside neighborhood of West Philadelphia. The Parkside Fields project, which will transform space next to Parkside Evans Recreation Center into public soccer and football fields, will change that.
Once the project is completed, the neighborhood kids will have both a brand new soccer and football field for practices and games.
Funding for Parkside Fields will support the construction of the fields. The designs for the project have already been through the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation’s capital program.
Learn more about the project:
- Press release for the announcement of Parkside Fields as one of the first Rebuild projects
Frank Glavin Playground
3267 Almond Street (Port Richmond)
Glavin Playground, called “the heart of Port Richmond” by some community members, is one of the most popular destinations for kids in the surrounding neighborhood. Unfortunately, Glavin has a long list of needs including new playground equipment, bathrooms, landscaping, and more.
Funding for Glavin will support improvements that will be finalized following a community engagement process.
Learn more about the project:
- Press release for the announcement of Glavin Playground as one of the first Rebuild projects