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Merely 10 pools were to remain open citywide when the initial budget cuts were announced late last year. Now there may be an increase of swimsuit-clad children splashing around this summer thanks to the creation of a fundraising effort by the city.
Although it is only February, the city has hopes of giving residents a few more options of where to cool down with the "Splash & Summer Fund," that Mayor Michael Nutter and Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson announced last week.
"Traveling around the city – and I’m sure you’ve heard it as well – many people have asked me how they can help the City of Philadelphia during its great time of need," Nutter said during a Feb. 5 press conference. "And I’ve of course suggested that people volunteer in their community, become a block captain or mentor a young person. Today, we have an additional opportunity and that’s by donating to "Splash & Summer Fund" campaign to keep our swimming pools open."
While Susan Rose, of 10th and Ritner streets, said it’s a great idea, she noted Nutter hasn’t made a good effort in terms of tackling the budget issues.
"I understand that he has to make cuts, but I think he should be doing it internally. Something other than cutting services that we’re entitled to that we pay for through our taxes," she said.
Rose and her daughter, Emily Chambers, 3, have taken a dip at Murphy Recreation Center, Fourth and Shunk streets, and Ford Recreation Center, Sixth Street and Snyder Avenue, on a few occasions and she would be willing to spend the cash if it were for her daughter.
"This neighborhood is on the decline economically, but I think people still have money in their pocket for something worthwhile," the mother said while playing with Chambers at the Marconi Plaza playground, Oregon Avenue and Broad streets.
Of the 63 pools slated to close, Nutter said 20 more may open their gates for three days a week if $600,000 is raised by March 1 or for six days a week if $1.25 million is collected by March 6. The mayor added if donations reach $3.6 million by March 6, 2011, the pools will operate six days a week through that summer. As of now, Murphy is the only South Philly pool slated to open this summer.
Marge Eltore, of 15th Street and Moyamensing Avenue, hopes residents come together to keep the pools open for the children as they need more activities when school’s out.
"If I could, I would and I think people should for the kids," she said.
Without these pools there are no other activities for kids in the summertime, said Tysheem Hargrove, of Seventh Street and Snyder Avenue.
"During the summer, that’s something that the kids look forward to. I hope they meet the quota," he said.
His brother, Shareem Hargrove, also of Seventh and Snyder, said children need activities to keep them out of trouble.
"Anything that’s positive for the youth instead of them just looking around and seeing negative things that they’re tempted to do," he said.
Currently, only one pool is open in each council district, but by reaching the goal, three will operate in each district, although which ones have yet to be determined.
"That’s going to be part of the Council folks decision process," Alain Joinville, public affairs coordinator for the department of recreation, said. "That’s why we’re taking recommendations from them. What the recreation department wants to ensure is that it’s equally distributed across the city."
In District 1, which covers most of South Philly east of Broad Street, but also parts of Center City and North Philly, pools set to close consist of Ford; Hawthorne Cultural Center, 12th and Carpenter streets and Sacks Playground, Fourth Street and Washington Avenue. In District 2, covering South Philly west of Broad Street and Southwest Philly, Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 17th and Fitzwater streets; Vare Recreation Center, 26th and Morris streets; Barry Playground, 18th and Bigler streets; Chew Playground, 19th Street and Washington Avenue; O’Conner Pool, 26th and South streets; and Stinger Square, 32nd and Dickinson streets are also not scheduled to open.
Thanks to corporate sponsors, the fund has $155,000 to put towards this summer.
"This is a campaign where we’re talking about obesity in our city and we’re talking about a campaign where children can be swimming and burning 600-plus calories an hour while they’re in the pools, so we’re talking about a public health campaign," Dr. Lawrence B. Caplin, CEO of Oral Health Impact Project and co-chair of the campaign’s taskforce, said during the press conference.
In addition to those contributions, United Way is collecting the funds free of charge and the Web site, www.phillysummerfund.org, which could have cost the city $40,000, was donated by M agency, said Slawson.
"This is what people do when you get into a jam and they realize, ‘You know what? The only way this city is going to work is if we work it together,’" Slawson said.
Contributors from individuals, community organizations to businesses can call 215-665-2542 to make donations as small as $10. As of Tuesday, the Web site has received more than 1,000 hits since the press conference.
Nutter and Slawson have also done a public service announcement for the local Clear Channel radio stations and will soon appear on NBC10, Joinville said.
"We have to keep the momentum going," he said. "We want to encourage community groups and individuals to get involved as well. Tell their neighbors. Tell their friends. This is for all the residents in Philadelphia."
While Charlotte Jackson, of 19th and Ritner streets, is on the fence about the program since fire departments were also on the chopping block, she wants what is best for the children of her neighborhood.
"I kind of think it’s good for the kids, but I kind of think the fire departments are more important," she said.
Even though the figure that the city is reaching for is high, she thinks residents will chip in to contribute for the children.
"You need good kids, not bad kids," Jackson said.
Contact Staff Writer Amanda Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
