The Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting dozens of summer camp programs for children ages 6 to 12 across the city this summer. The office of Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) has compiled a list of camps located at West Philly rec centers and playgrounds. These day camps offer a variety of activities, including arts & crafts, sports, educational activities, games, field trips, and more.

Parents and guardians are invited to contact the camp sites in their area directly. Please note that fees vary by site and scholarships are available upon request.

See the flyer below with the list of West Philly Parks & Rec camp sites and their contact details. Also, check out our Summer Camps listings here if you’re still looking for a camp for your child.

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Just in time for summer, a new state-of-the-art nature-themed playground has opened in Cobbs Creek near 63rd and Spruce. A ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by state and city officials, as well as students from Add B. Anderson Middle School and community members, took place on Wednesday afternoon.

The new Cobbs Creek Nature Playground combines modern and unique features to create a “nature-themed play oasis.” All play equipment was made from refurbished solid wood and the playground was designed around the existing trees. The playground itself has been designed to cultivate imaginative play with ample swinging and climbing structures.

“I’m grateful to see the vision for this site come to fruition just in time for summer,’ said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Cobbs Creek Playground has been an integral part of the West Philadelphia community, and now it’s a space where the community can safely play and proudly call their own.”

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Philadelphia’s free spraygrounds are expected to be reopened for the 2023 season on Saturday, May 27, according to an announcement by Parks & Rec. There are over 90 water-based play spaces in Philadelphia, many of them are spraygrounds or spray parks, but some sites include a single sprinkler, or spray jet.

During the season, which ends on Labor Day, spraygrounds will be open seven days a week, with the exception of bad weather days, at the following hours:

Weekdays: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Weekends: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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One of the proposed designs for the new sprayground at 48th and Woodland.

After a series of community meetings hosted by the Philadelphia Parks and Rec and Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, the redesign project for the 48th and Woodland sprayground is moving forward. Parks & Rec is currently in the design stage for the new spray park, and is asking community members to share their thoughts on proposed changes.

The playground site at 48th and Woodland will be updated with new water play equipment that is tied to the theme of learning. One of the main goals of this redesign project is to create a sprayground where children can combine learning and fun.

Parks and Rec is also planning to install new amenities, like a shade structure, which was the top request at the first community meeting. New seating will also be installed. Continue Reading

The Cobbs Creek community is invited this Wednesday, Dec. 7 to come see the recently opened West Philadelphia Boys & Girls Club, located at 5843-55 Catharine Street. Caring People Alliance is celebrating the grand opening of this long-awaited facility with a ribbon cutting followed by an indoor coat giveaway and mobile food pantry for the community.

Community members are invited to visit the mobile food pantry presented by The Print Foundation, Inc. and select a new children’s coat in the newly refitted gymnasium. The event kicks off at 3 p.m. and goes until 4:30.

The 25,000-square-foot Boys & Girls Club provides two floors of classrooms, a large multi-purpose room, and a gym with a pull-down screen and a professional basketball court. The entire building is handicapped accessible.

“We are very excited to bring this full-service, state-of-the-art facility to the community,” says Jerry Macdonald, president and CEO of Caring People Alliance. “It features an early learning center and after school programming. In the future, it will offer teen and senior programming.” Continue Reading

Families are invited to take part in fun Halloween/Fall events hosted by local non-profit organizations: Spruce Hill Community Association, Penn Museum, The Woodlands, and CinéSPEAK. Here are more details:

Halloween Family Fun Day

UPDATE: This event has been cancelled due to rain in the forecast for Sunday, Oct. 23.

The Woodlands (40th and Woodland), is hosting its annual Halloween Family Fun Day. This year’s Family Fun Day will feature a pop up Mini Mütter Museum, and performances by Karen Smith’s “Spiritual Atmosferic Cleansing” and Tangle Movement Arts. Philadelphia Orchard Project’s (POP) Learning Orchard, located at The Woodlands, will be open for visitors throughout the event. Go here for more details. Continue Reading