►
Description
The Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs of the Council of the City of Philadelphia held a Public Hearing on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 to hear testimony on the following items:
160301
An Ordinance naming and designating an addition to the Marian Anderson Recreation Center, located at the corner of 17th and Fitzwater streets, "The Ryan Howard Training Center."
160304
An Ordinance amending Chapter 15-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Parks and Playgrounds," by adding a new section requiring that all parks or playgrounds owned or controlled by the City to be more inclusive, inter-generational and family-friendly and provide equipment and play or fitness opportunities to accommodate children and adults with special needs, all under certain terms and conditions.
160458
An Ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to accept title to all or a portion of the parcels of land in the area bounded by North Street, North 18th Street, Wallace Street, and North 19th Street; and amending Chapter 15-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Fairmount Park System," to include such properties among the areas designated as part of the Fairmount Park System; all under certain terms and conditions.
160473
An Ordinance authorizing the Parks and Recreation Commissioner to enter into an agreement to release and indemnify the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority in connection with access provided by SEPTA to carry out a project for improvements to JFK Plaza, aka "Love Park," at 15th and JFK Boulevard, all under certain terms and conditions.
160529
An Ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to accept title to all or a portion of the parcels of land commonly known as 1035-37 South 6th Street and 1028-32 South Fairhill Street; and amending Chapter 15-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Fairmount Park System," to include such properties among the areas designated as part of the Fairmount Park System; all under certain terms and conditions.
160557
An Ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property and the Parks and Recreation Commissioner to sublease from the Philadelphia Municipal Authority certain land and improvements known as McArdle Playground, owned by the School District of Philadelphia, all under certain terms and conditions.
160388
Resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs to hold public hearings for applicants seeking nomination to serve on the Commission on Parks and Recreation, and further authorizing the Committee to recommend for Council's consideration nominations to be forwarded to the Mayor.
Chair: Cindy Bass (8th District)
Vice chair: Curtis Jones Jr. (4th District)
A
Parks,
recreation
and
cultural
affairs.
The
purpose
of
this
public
hearing
is
to
hear
testimony
on
bills:
number
160,
301,
160,
4,
58,
160,
473,
160,
5
to
9,
160,
557
and
160
304,
and
also
the
committee
is
prepared
to
report
out
its
recommendations.
Pursuant
to
resolution
number
160
388
I
do
want
to
recognize
the
presence
of
a
qualm
of
committee
members
and
we
have
joining
us.
Councilman
Alta,
hamburger,
councilman,
david
Oh,
Councilwoman,
charelle,
Parker
and
Councilman
Bobby,
Heenan
and
I
want
to
ask
the
committee
members
before
we
begin
testimony.
B
Resolution
160
388
authorizing
councils,
Committee
on
parks,
recreation
and
cultural
affairs
to
hold
public
hearings
for
applicants
seeking
nomination
to
serve
on
the
commission
of
on
parks
and
recreation
and
further
authorizing
the
committee
to
recommend
for
councils.
Consideration
nomination
to
be
forwarded
to
the
mayor.
Okay,.
A
And
today
is
my
pleasure
to
commence
this
hearing
by
announcing
the
committee's
recommendation
to
the
City
Council
and
to
the
mayor
for
the
new
commission
on
Parks
and
Recreation.
This
record
should
reflect
that
the
pool
of
applicants
was
once
again
fantastic.
More
than
60
individuals
took
the
time
to
submit
very
detailed
applications,
and
the
overwhelming
majority
also
appeared
before
this
council
committee
in
one
of
two
public
hearings,
where
they
had
an
opportunity
to
present
their
credentials
face
to
face.
A
The
quality
and
quantity
of
candidates
was
extraordinarily
impressive
and
we
witnessed
firsthand
their
true
passion
for
our
parks
and
recreation
centers
and
their
deep
desire
to
serve
this
city.
You
should
also
know
that
the
pool
was
quite
diverse,
as
we
had
hope
and
that
all
the
skill
sets
set
forth
in
the
Charter
will
be
reflected
in
the
twenty
five
nominees
we
are
announcing
today,
I've
been
on
it,
along
with
my
college,
to
be
a
part
of
this
process,
and
that
being
said,
I'd
like
to
announce
the
25.
The
25
names
selected
by
this
committee.
A
You
should
know
that
the
next
step
in
this
process
is
that,
at
tomorrow,
session
of
City
Council,
we
will
introduce
a
resolution
for
councils
consideration
to
be
voted
on
at
council's
june
sixteenth
session.
If
council
adopts
our
recommendations
in
that
resolution,
they
will
then
be
forwarded
to
the
mayor,
who
is
authorized
by
the
Charter
to
appoint
nine
members
of
the
commission
from
the
list
provided
by
City
Council.
A
We
are
delighted
with
the
caliber
of
the
applicants
and
encouraged
by
their
own
passion
testimony,
and
so
we
are
especially
pleased
to
move
this
process
to
the
next
step,
which
is
to
introduce,
which
is
the
introduction
of
the
resolution
on
Thursday
June
night
and
now.
If
the
clerk
will
read
the
title
of
bill
number
160,
301,.
B
C
Your
name
for
the
record
to
make
sure
my
name
is
Katherine
out
level
on
the
Commissioner
for
Philadelphia
parks
and
recreation.
Good
morning,
chairwoman,
bass
and
committee
members.
My
name
is
Katherine
aunt
level
I'm,
the
Commissioner
for
parks
and
recreation.
I
appear
before
you
today,
on
behalf
of
the
Department
of
Parks
and
Recreation,
concerning
council
bill
number
160,
301
naming
and
designating
in
addition
to
the
marian
anderson
recreation
center,
located
at
the
corner
of
17th
and
fitzwater
streets.
The
ryan
howard
training
center
Ryan
Howard
made
a
significant
contribution
to
the
center.
C
It's
many
other
locations
throughout
the
the
park
system.
The
center
is
located
at
the
corner
of
17th
and
fitzwater
streets.
Additions
to
the
center
include
new
indoor,
batting
cages
and
classroom
space.
I'm
here
today
to
offer
my
support
this
bill
introduced
by
Councilman
Kenyatta
Johnson.
Thank
you
and
I'd
be
glad
to
answer
any
questions
you
might
have.
Thank
you
very
much.
May.
A
B
Number
160
458
authorizing
the
commissioner
of
public
property,
on
behalf
of
the
city,
to
accept
title
to
all
or
a
portion
of
the
parcels
of
land
in
the
area
bounded
by
North,
Street,
North,
eighteenth
Street,
Wallace
street
and
north
nineteenth
Street,
an
amending
chapter.
Fifteen
200
of
the
Philadelphia
code
entitled
fairmount
park
system
to
include
such
properties
among
the
areas
designated
as
part
of
the
Fairmount
Park
System
fall
under
certain
terms
and
conditions.
B
C
I'm
here
today
to
support
this
bill
in
2014,
the
spring
garden
community,
the
spring
garden,
community
development,
corporation
and
council.
President
down
Clark's
office
began
working
with
the
Philadelphia
Redevelopment
Authority
and
the
Philadelphia
Department
of
Parks
and
Recreation
to
transfer
pra
onde
parcels
into
our
inventory
for
preservation.
This
garden
was
founded
in
nineteen
ninety-five.
There
are
180
garden
plots
and
over
350
gardeners,
the
garden
grows
and
donates
1500
pounds
of
food
which
is
distributed
to
neighborhood
food
cupboards.
The
spring
garden
community
supports
broader
neighborhood,
greening
initiatives
through
tree
plantings
and
neighborhood
beautification
projects.
C
Once
the
land
is
transferred
into
my
department's
inventory,
we
will
enter
into
a
five-year
lease
agreement
with
the
spring
garden
garden
community
development
corporation,
who
has
supported
the
garden
since
its
inception.
Thank
you
and
I'd
be
glad
to
answer
any
questions
you
have.
Thank
you
very
much
for
your.
D
B
Bill
number
160,
473
authorizing
the
Parks
and
Recreation
Commissioner
to
enter
into
an
agreement
to
release
and
indemnify
the
southeastern
Pennsylvania
Transportation
Authority
in
connection
with
the
acts
with
access
provided
by
septa
to
carry
out
a
project
for
improvement,
since
JFK
plaza,
aka
love
park
at
15th
and
JFK
Boulevard,
all
under
certain
terms
and
conditions.
Thank.
A
C
Morning
sheriff
and
committee
members,
my
name
is
Catherine
not
level,
and
the
Commissioner
for
parks
and
recreation
I
appear
before
you
today,
on
behalf
of
the
Department
of
Parks
and
Recreation
concerning
council
bill
number
160
473,
which
authorizes
my
department
to
enter
into
an
agreement
to
release
and
indemnify
the
southeastern
Pennsylvania
Transportation
Authority
in
connection
with
access
provided
to
them
by
them
to
carry
out
a
project
for
improvements
to
JFK
Plaza,
also
known
as
love
carp,
which
is
located
at
15th
and
JFK
Boulevard.
I'm
here
today
to
offer
support
for
this
bill.
C
Septa
owns
and
leases
property
directly
under
the
city's
construction
project
for
JFK
plaza
the
city's
2014
lease
lease
back
with
septa
did
not
contemplate
the
construction
of
love
park.
The
city
provides
only
a
very
limited
indemnity
to
septa
under
the
lease
lease
back,
the
city
is
only
permitted
to
access
up
his
property
to
inspect
and
maintain
or
repair
its
utilities,
as
a
condition
of
septa's
agreement
to
allow
access
to
enter
parks
and
cities,
contracts
or
contractors
for
the
park
project.
C
In
the
welcome
center
project,
the
city
is
agreed
to
enter
into
an
agreement
by
which
the
city
indemnifies
and
release
acepta
from
any
claims
related
to
the
improvements
of
JFK
plaza
and
the
park
itself.
The
septa
lease
signed
jun
2014
has
a
30-year
term
ending
on
june
thirtieth
2044
with
to
15-year
automatic
renewals
with
a
final
in
term
of
jun,
30
2074
as
consideration
for
the
city's
agreeing
to
indemnify
septa
septa
agrees
in
negotiating
contractors
and
city
contractors
in
good
faith
for
the
right
of
any
entry
agreements
for
the
park
project
in
the
welcome
center.
G
Good
morning
I've
submitted
written
testimony,
so
I
will
select
some
of
the
key
factors
and
mice
very
submission
to
present
here
today.
Good
morning,
gentlemen,
bass
and
members
of
the
committee
and
parts
of
recreation
and
cultural
affairs,
my
name
is
Justine,
o
Navarro
and
I'm.
The
vice
president
of
the
spring
garden
community
development
corporation
and
chaired
the
government
and
neighbourhood
Relations
Committee
of
the
spring
gardens
community
garden,
I'm.
G
Garden,
Civic
Association
I'm
a
company
this
morning
and
by
supporters
in
the
audience,
and
also
here
President,
is
the
culture
of
the
city
harvest.
First
food
initiative
at
the
community
garden
Marshall
Connolly
I,
am
here
today
to
offer
testimony
in
strong
support.
A
bill
number
1604
body
which
have
adopted
will
transfer
certain
parcels
of
land
comprising
the
spring
gardens
to
a
city,
Philadelphia's
part
of
the
femoral
park
system
under
the
care
and
jurisdiction
of
the
Department
of
Parks
and
Recreation.
G
H
G
Was
founded
in
1995
and
transformed
into
a
force
over
to
you
for
good
in
unity
they
previously
vacant,
bladed
and
drug
infested
entire
city
block?
The
garden
is
located
in
the
heart.
The
community
and
as
we
intended
at
its
founding
bridge,
is
a
physical
divide
that
existed
in
the
neighborhood
until
nineteen
ninety-five
between
the
more
affluent
western
end
portion
of
the
community
west
of
twentieth,
Street
that
is,
and
the
east
and
and
and
the
eastland
of
the
of
the
spring
garden
community
east
of
23.
G
The
spring
gardens
provides
a
venue
for
communities
the
roast
residents
to
come
together,
irrespective
of
background
race,
religion,
occupation
or
income
in
a
shared
project
of
beautification
and
camaraderie.
The
garden
also
serves
as
an
open-air
classroom
and
provides
educational,
environmental
stewardship
opportunities
for
students
at
all
grade
levels,
including
the
pre-k
students,
mi
casita,
which
is
for
locals.
G
First,
spanish
immersion
school
located
at
project
homes,
jvj
so
homes
on
Thurman
Avenue,
the
lower
window
wearing
neighborhood
elementary
public
school,
the
Oracle
Clemente
playground
after
school
summer
after
school
and
summer
programs,
Ben
Franklin,
High
School
and
the
photography
class,
the
massaman
school
and
community
college
of
Philadelphia's
environmental
conservation
and
geography
classes
also
partake
in
the
garden.
As
we
enter
our
21st
season
of
growing
the
garden.
G
We
look
forward
to
continuing
our
mission
at
the
spring
gardens
on
a
permanent
basis,
and
we
are
excited
too,
as
well
with
the
new
opportunities
and
partnerships
with
the
city
and
Parks
and
Recreation.
This
bill
represents.
I
would
also
like
to
take
the
opportunity
to
publicly
and
on
the
record
thank
our
district
councilman
council
president
Darrell
Clarke
and
his
staff
for
his
own
for
their
unwavering
support
of
the
spring
gardens
over
the
course
of
many
many
years.
G
A
D
B
Bill
number
160
529
authorizing
the
commissioner
of
public
property,
on
behalf
of
the
city,
to
accept
all
our
portion
of
the
parcels
of
land
of
community,
known
as
10
35
to
37,
South,
sixth
Street
and
10
28
to
32
south
fair
Mill,
Street
and
amending
chapter
15
200
of
the
Philadelphia
code
entitled
fairmount
park
system
to
include
such
properties
among
the
areas
designated
as
part
of
the
Fairmount
Park
System,
all
under
certain
terms
and
conditions
and
Commissioner
odd
will
be
testifying
on
that.
Thank.
C
C
On
behalf
the
Department
of
Parks
and
Recreation
concerning
bill
number
160
529
sponsored
by
councilman's
Willa,
which
authorizes
the
city
to
accept
title
to
all
a
portion
of
the
parcels
of
land
commonly
known
as
10
35
to
37,
South,
sixth
Street
and
10
28
to
32
south
fair
whole
street
and
amends
chapter
15
dash
200
of
the
Philadelphia
code,
entitled
fairmont
park
system
to
include
such
properties
among
the
areas
designated
as
part
of
the
fairmont
park
system,
all
under
certain
terms
and
commissions.
I'm
here
today
to
support
this
bill.
C
The
South
sixth
street
garden
was
previously
a
trash-strewn
lot
that
was
cultivated
by
neighbors
into
the
beautiful
garden.
It
is
today
the
garden
which
consists
of
community
garden.
Plots
was
established
in
1994.
The
community
fund
raised
and
invested
many
thousands
of
dollars
into
this
garden
and
has
strong
local
ties
to
civic
associations.
If
the
land
is
transferred
to
the
Department,
we
will
enter
into
a
five-year
lease
with
the
neighborhood
gardens
trust,
a
local
land,
trust
that
has
supported
the
garden
for
many
years.
The
neighborhood
Gardens
transfer,
insurance
and
technical
support.
C
A
C
Morning,
chairman
bath
and
committee
members,
my
name
is
Catherine,
not
level.
The
Commissioner
for
parks
and
recreation
I
appear
before
you
today,
on
behalf
of
the
Department
of
Parks
and
Recreation,
concerning
council
bill
number
160
557
sponsored
by
Councilman
henan,
which
authorizes
the
commission
of
public
property
and
my
department
to
sublease
from
the
Philadelphia
municipal
authority
than
the
guard
old
playground
owned
by
the
school
district
controlled
off.
Yet
I'm
here
today
to
support
this
bill
through
the
long
term.
C
A
A
B
A
You
very
much
before
you
begin
your
testimony.
I
did
want
to
make
an
opening
statement,
since
this
is
my
bill
and
one
of
the
things
that
that
we
are
really
attempting
to
address
here
is
that
our
playgrounds
have
not
been
traditionally
sort
of
the
intergenerational
spaces
that
we
would
like
for
them
to
be,
and
also
addressing
the
needs
of
those
who
may
have
physical
disabilities.
A
We've
worked
in
the
eighth
District
to
incorporate
all
of
those
things
into
every
playground
that
we've
touched
and
renovated,
since
I
saw
that
model
many
years
ago,
but
this
really
is
something
that
should
be
citywide,
and
so
that's
why
we're
asking
the
Department
of
Parks
and
Recreation
to
make
it
an
effort,
because
it
doesn't
make
as
much
of
a
difference
if
we
make
everything
88
compliant.
If
you're,
you
know,
have
a
physical
disability
and
you
go
into
a
playground.
A
A
Philadelphia
is
adult
exercise
equipment,
because
it
will
be
great
that
we
can
have
children
and
parents
that
we
can
have
families,
whether
it's
you
know
seniors
grandma,
graham,
that
grin
that
and
children
having
the
opportunity
to
participate
to
play
to
work
out
that
these
spaces
would
really
be
family-friendly
spaces.
And
so
you
know
I.
Just
really.
Thank
you
for
all
of
your
work
and
your
support
and
everything
that
you
all
have
done
so
far
and
look
forward
to
working
with
you
to
make
this
a
reality,
and
so
thank
you.
Please
begin
your
testicle.
C
Sure,
good
morning,
chairwoman,
bass
and
committee
members,
my
name
is
Catherine
not
level,
and
the
Commissioner
for
parks
and
recreation
I
appear
before
you
today.
On
behalf
the
Department
of
Parks
and
Recreation
concerning
council
bill
number
160
304,
sponsored
by
chairman
bass,
which
out
the
new
section
to
the
photo
fee
code
requiring
that
all
parks
and
playgrounds
under
control
by
the
city
be
more
inclusive,
intergenerational
and
family-friendly,
and
provide
equipment
and
play,
or
fitness
opportunities
to
accommodate
children
and
adults
with
special
needs
all
under
certain
terms
and
conditions.
C
I'm
here
today
to
offer
testimony
of
my
support
of
this
bill.
Currently
we
offer
three
types
of
programming
for
children
and
adults
with
special
needs.
The
first
type
of
programming
is
inclusion,
or
children
and
adults
with
disabilities
participate
in
organized
recreation
programs
with
their
peers.
This
is
throughout
our
system
and
is
most
prevalent
and
day
camps
and
after-school
programs.
The
second
time
the
programming
is
conducted,
a
council
house
recreation
center
for
people
with
disabilities.
This
facility
is
dedicated
to
programming
for
special
needs
children
through
adults.
C
We
are
a
variety
of
programming
there,
including
a
day
camp,
wheelchair
basketball,
quad
rugby
quad,
quad,
rugby
Tai,
Chi
and
many
other
programs.
The
third
type
of
program
we
offer
is
for
groups
of
individuals
and
a
recreation
center
playground
through
parks
and
playgrounds.
We
conduct
soccer
soccer
and
softball
for
children
with
various
disabilities,
ages,
3
and
up.
We
also
host
special
olympic
sports,
we're
trained
volunteers,
conduct
sports
training.
We
conduct
basketball
program
specifically
designed
for
children
with
autism
and
behavioral
issues,
and
we
offer
other
forms
of
social
and
recreational
programs
for
adults
with
developmental
delays.
A
One
of
the
things
that
I
would
just
like
to
mention
also
was
that
we
would
like
to
work
with
the
Department
of
Parks
and
Recreation
to
make
this
a
reality,
and
I
would
hope
that
there
might
be
an
opportunity
to
involve
the
community
also
that
there
would
be
some
sort
of
a
community-driven,
a
design
panel.
That
would
talk
about
what
the
needs
are
with
the
you
know,
with
the
demographics
of
a
particular
neighborhood
are.
Are
there
a
lot
of
seniors?
A
E
A
E
E
D
E
A
H
Just
a
bullet
point,
my
testimony,
the
Center
for
Disease
Control
and
Prevention,
found
that
one
in
68
children
meet
the
criteria
for
autism,
the
2014
Pennsylvania
census
up.
They
found
that
the
number
of
Philadelphians
with
autism
receiving
services
increased
116
percent,
the
4617
individuals
from
2142
and
the
2009
report
in
Pennsylvania
the
number
increased
from
nearly
20,000
over
55,000
children
and
adults
by
the
year
twenty
thirty,
it's
going
to
be.
Seventy
three
thousand
adults.
H
These
individuals
may
have
an
increased
opportunity
to
participate
in
community
activities,
including
leisure
and
recreational
activities.
Recreational
leisure
activities
are
central
to
many
individuals,
including
individuals
with
disabilities,
to
feeling
connected
to
the
community
life
and
helping
individuals
to
build
confidence
and
connect
to
others.
Research
has
consistently
indicated
that
physically
and
social
at
active
recreation
and
leisure
activities
are
related
to
a
higher
quality
of
life
from
the
general
population,
as
well
as
in
people
with
various
disabilities.
This
is
especially
true
of
activities
that
help
people
feel
a
part
of
neighborhood
life.
H
Research
has
also
found
strong
relationships
between
physical
activity
and
physical
health,
as
well
as
between
physical
activity
and
mental
health.
Physical
and
social
recreation
are
important
to
helping
all
individuals
lead,
healthier
lives.
Reacher
research
has
shown
that
participation
in
recreation
activities
positively
influenced
the
stress
and
quality
of
life
with
adults
with
ASD.
A
study
on
the
impact
of
designing
a
playground
for
children
with
ASD
found
that
frequency
of
group
play
and
overall
social
initiations
increase
significantly
in
the
new
setting
and
playgrounds
with
appropriate
levels
of
physical
challenge
and
support
for
both
structured.
H
F
Councilman
Parker.
Thank
you,
madam
chair
no
question,
but
you
know
can
never
allow
you
to
testify
in
a
formal
setting
without
saying
on
the
record
that,
particularly
in
the
area
of
autism,
you
and
I
haven't
been
members
of
the
Pennsylvania
General
Lee
I
watched
your
very
committed
efforts.
The
passion
with
which
you,
along
with
estelle
Richmond,
worked
extremely
hard
to
build
the
consensus
in
a
very
large
legislative
body
to
get
the
support.
F
We
needed
to
make
sure
that
Pennsylvania
and
then
during
your
tenure
here
as
a
member
of
council,
work,
what
we're
in
the
forefront
about
making
sure
that
those
who
learn
differently
with
autism
were
in
the
forefront
of
our
legislative
agenda.
So
mr.
speaker,
councilman
O'brien
advocate
O'brien
I
just
wanted
to
again
say
thank
you
very
much
for
your
advocacy
and
it
was
not
lost
on
me
and
many
others.
Thank.
D
You,
madam
chair
and
I,
just
want
to
echo
with
with
my
colleague
and
friend,
Councilwoman
Parker,
that
just
stated,
maybe
your
your
commitment
to
their
with
a
certain
community
of
children
with
disabilities.
Adults
with
disabilities
autism
has
been
nothing
but
spectacular,
and
your
efforts
through
policies,
your
champing,
the
Special
Olympics
and
having
the
inclusion
opportunities
for
a
community
to
be
you
know,
feel
part
of
the
community
for
people
to
feel
part
of
community
that
make
up
all
our
communities
across
the
city
is
unparalleled.
D
So
I
just
want
to
thank
you
for
your
lifelong
commitment
in
your
continued
commitment
to
making
sure
that
people
feel
a
part
of
the
fabric
of
Philadelphia
in
all
levels
and
aspects
where
they
feel
safe
and
we're
program
is
available.
So
it's
good
to
see
you
back
in
these
chambers
as
a
colleague
and
a
friend,
so
thank
you.
Thank.
H
You,
councilman
and
I
have
to
confess
very
briefly
that
my
relationship
with
individuals
with
disabilities
is
wonderfully
reciprocal.
I've
been
so
enriched
by
my
relationship
with
individuals
with
special
needs
and
I
really
do
believe
that
that
is
the
reason
that
I
became
the
Speaker
of
the
House.
I
will
continue
to
celebrate
that
relationship
going
forward
and
I
really
applaud
you
for
doing
this
important
thing.
I.
H
My
dream
was
always
to
make
Philadelphia
the
first
autism-friendly
city
on
the
planet
and
that
transfers
to
all
disabilities-
and
this
is
a
wonderful
first
step
and
Councilwoman
Council
Chair,
including
making
this
an
inclusive
process
with
the
families,
is
how
you
learn.
How
to
do
it
right.
So
I
know
that
you're
all
tuned
into
that
and
I
am
very
grateful
for
this
opportunity.
Absolutely.
A
D
Talking
about
her,
yes,
madam
chair,
thank
thank
you
very
much
and
speaker
and
Councilman
O'brien
from
a
neighborhood
perspective
and
a
lifelong
friendship
with
you.
I
can't
thank
you
enough
for
your
hours
and
hours
of
dedication,
because
it
really
makes
a
difference
also,
as
a
father
of
a
teacher
of
disabled
children.
I
know
personally
what
you've
done
as
well,
so
it
very
very
much
thank
you.
Thank
you
and
thank
you
again.
Thank.
I
Murmurs
council,
my
name
is
George
Matyszczyk
executive,
director
of
the
Philadelphia
parks,
Alliance
and
brother,
to
a
young
woman
with
special
needs
who
spent
countless
hours
at
Halton,
rec
center
and
playground
in
somerdale
on
behalf
of
the
parks
Alliance.
We
wholeheartedly
support
this
measure
and
thank
Councilwoman
bass
for
her
unwavering
efforts
to
make
Philadelphia
a
more
open
and
inclusive
place
to
live
and
play
our
city
studying
this
battle
every
day.
Every
philadelphian,
regardless
of
race,
income,
age
or
ability
deserves
access
to
quality
public
spaces,
and
we
must
show
our
commitment
to
starting
this.
I
At
a
young
age.
As
a
city,
Philadelphia
has
shown
a
great
commitment
to
building
our
public
spaces
for
individuals
with
disabilities,
such
as
the
carousel
house
and
the
free
library
for
the
blind
and
physically
handicapped.
While
these
spaces
serve
to
provide
specialized
services,
the
rest
of
the
system,
the
rest
of
the
system
should
not
appear
to
segregate
services.
Every
Philadelphia
public
space
should
consider
one
hundred
percent
of
its
citizenry
before
the
first
shovel
hits
the
ground.
While
the
a
DA
does
mandate
access
to
equipment,
it
does
not
mandate
that
the
equipment
itself
is
accessible.
I
The
council
investors
point:
essentially,
we
often
build
ramps
to
roadblocks.
As
such,
we
fully
endorse
projects
such
as
sensory
play,
equipment
designed
with
special
consideration
for
those
living
with
autism,
adaptations
for
the
blind
and
visually
impaired,
including
tactile
elements
and
multi-sensory
guides,
and
fully
accessible
play
equipment
that
allow
those
in
wheelchairs
to
fully
engage
with
play
equipment.
I
We
also
believe
greater
access
to
fitness
equipment
and
instruction
throughout
the
Philadelphia,
Parks
and
Recreation
system
will
promote
healthier
living
for
our
residents,
who
cannot
afford
costly
gym
memberships,
as
we
continue
to
discuss
ways
to
improve
the
health
of
our
residents,
particularly
in
lower-income
communities.
It
is
vital
we
secure
the
resources
to
expand
our
offerings.
Finally,
the
fully
support
the
goals
articulated
in
this
legislation.
It
is
necessary
to
adequately
fund
parks
and
recreations
capital
needs,
and
we
request
full
support
of
the
rebuild
Philadelphia
initiative
to
move
these
projects
forward.
I
A
D
A
The
report,
pursuant
to
resolution
number
160
388,
has
been
moved
and
properly
seconded
all
in
favor,
say:
aye
opposed
no
response.
Okay,
the
committee
pursuant
to
read
the
report
pursuant
to
resolution
number
160
388,
has
been
reported
out
of
this
committee
with
a
favorable
recommendation.
I
now
recommend
a
recognize
council
member
Parker
for
a
motion
on
bill
number
160,
301.
D
A
It's
been
moved
and
properly
seconded
all
those
in
favor,
please
say
aye
any
opposed,
none,
okay,
the
eyes
habit
of
the
motion
carries
bill.
Number
160
301
will
be
reported
from
this
committee
with
a
favorable
recommendation,
with
a
request
that
the
rules
of
council
be
suspended
to
permit
first
reading
at
the
next
session
of
council,
I
now
recognize
councilwoman
parker
promotion
on
bill
number
160
for
58.
Thank.
F
A
So
we
moved
in
probably
second
and
all
those
in
favor
of
the
motion
will
signify
by
saying
aye
any
opposed,
none,
okay,
the
eyes
have
it,
and
the
motion
carries
in
bill.
Number
160
458
will
be
reported
from
this
committee
with
a
favorable
recommendation,
with
a
request
that
the
rules
of
council
be
suspended
to
permit
first
reading
at
the
next
session
of
council,
I
now
recognize
councilwoman
bay,
councillor
Barker
promotion
on
bill
number,
one
047
3
thank.
F
A
A
F
A
Been
moved
and
properly
seconded
all
those
in
favor
signify
by
saying
aye
any
opposed.
Okay,
the
eyes
have
it
in
the
motion
carries
and
bill
number
160
529
will
be
reported
from
this
committee,
with
a
favorable
recommendation,
with
a
request
that
the
rules
of
council
be
suspended
to
permit
first
reading
at
the
next
session
of
council
and
I,
now
recognize
councilwoman
Parker
for
emotion
on
bill
number
160
557
thank.
F
A
Removed
in
public
second
and
all
those
in
favor,
please
signify
by
saying
hi
any
opposed.
Okay,
guys
habit
of
the
motion
carries
and
bill
number
160
557
will
be
reported
from
this
committee
with
a
favorable
recommendation,
with
a
request
that
the
rules
of
council
be
suspended
to
permit
first
reading
at
the
next
session
of
council
and
I,
now
recognize
a
council
woman
Parker
for
emotional
on
bill
number
160
304.
Thank.
A
Facetime
moved
and
properly
seconded
all
those
in
favor
of
this
motion
will
signify
by
saying
aye:
okay,
any
opposed
no
okay,
the
eyes
have
it
in
the
motion
carries
and
bill
number
160
304
will
be
reported
from
this
committee,
with
a
favorable
recommendation,
with
a
request
that
the
rules
of
council
be
suspended
to
permit
first
reading
at
the
next
session
of
council,
and
this
concludes
the
public
meeting
for
the
Committee
on
parks,
recreation
and
cultural
affairs,
and
we
are
adjourned.
Thank
you
for
being
here.