August 10, 2006 Issue
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Classified Chestnut Hill Local Online Editor Don't Miss an Issue, Tell us what you see or ©2006 Chestnut Hill Local Winner of One |
Pleasant Playground gets $2.5 million
On any summer day, Mt. Airy’s Pleasant Playground is swarming with children—playing on the big-kid, tiny-tot playgrounds, swimming at the public pool or tossing balls in the field or on the basketball courts. It’s hard to imagine that, with all the activity, the park was almost closed down for lack of use. Now, with the property heavily used and programming growing, and $2.5 million secure, Pleasant Playground’s advisory council is halfway to its goal of a $5 million facility upgrade, which will include a brand-new, larger building for the recreational center. The current center, tucked in the corner of the property, is a small, light blue building that can only accommodate about 40 children in summer camp programming. The area includes sports fields, used for both soccer and football, tennis courts, the small recreation center and a public pool. The distance of the building from the two streets that border the playground’s fields – Chew and Pleasant avenues – creates an inconvenience for children, parents and, soon, seniors, that take part in the center’s program. “Accessibility is an issue,” said Azaraha Sulton-Bey, who became the center’s supervisor about two months ago. “We’re hoping to see more usage of the new facility, and will be able to provide more programs.” A lack of community interest, city funding and misbehavior by teens almost led to the center’s closing during the past few years. About two-and-a-half years ago, when the city’s Recreation Department funding was substantially cut and lay-offs and closings were necessary, Pleasant Playground was one of the parks that were “winterized,” as Recreation Commissioner Victor Noel Richard referred to it, because it was under utilized. There was programming in the summer – including the public pool, a basketball camp and a summer camp – which are all running now, but in the winter it was closed. Recently, the pool was almost shut down because of behavioral issues with some of the patrons. Local teens, said Richard, were acting “totally off the wall,” literally throwing the lifeguards and their stands into the pool. But, as is normal practice when one of the city’s recreational facilities is in trouble, Richard’s department called a community meeting to discuss the issue and find a solution — whether it be shutting down the facility or working to fix the problem. “Most of the time [the community] steps up,” said Richard, as they did with Pleasant Playground. Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller (D-8th district) said one of the solutions was to hire lifeguards that the local teens knew and respected, so they wouldn’t abuse the staff. Interest in the playground facilities has escalated, and the advisory council is now in the process of raising funds for a totally new center. It hopes to increase involvement in the center’s programs, as well as the number of programs. There are already three programs scheduled (and staffed) for this winter, and potential senior programming on the way. The advisory council, which has received $1 million from Councilwoman Miller’s office, another $1 million from Senator LeAnna Washington (D-4th district) and $500,000 from State Rep. Cherelle Parker (D-200th district), has visited two facilities to get an idea of what they’d like to see done at Pleasant Playground. One park they visited was an example of the less expensive upgrade, but the advisory council would like to aim for the larger, $5 million facility —comparable to the Dorothy Emmanuel Recreational Center in West Oak Lane, said Charing Ball, the council’s secretary. Whether $2.5 or $5 million, the new building will be larger in size and closer to Chew Avenue to allow easier accessibility, needed especially with the likely addition of senior programming, Ball noted. She said the council is “definitely going to try raise the other $2.5 million” for the larger facility. In June, the council hosted a “Pleasant Day and Pleasant Night” event, which brought entertainment to the park for the community, and was co-sponsored by Emmanuel Johnson Funeral Home. It is also organizing T-shirt and candy fundraisers and looking into potential grant opportunities. “Our government officials have been really helpful trying to find other means [to raise the money],” Ball said. “It’s definitely a community process.” She said that the council does not plan to break ground until the full $5 million is raised. In the meantime, council and the center’s staff are focusing on improving and growing programs with the current facility. Council’s next meeting, which is open to the public, is at 6:30 p.m Wednesday, Aug. 9 at. at the center. |
