Spring into Love Your Park in McMichael Park - 90 years of Green!

Happy 'Spring' in McMichael Park

See Our "Love Your Park" flyer with a host of activities for May 11, 2019

Don't chose just one...try them all.

Family Friendly, Pet Friendly, Volunteer Friendly too.

Remember if it rains (and it won't) our rain date is the following Saturday, May 18th.

Who is ready for Love Your Park?

Morton definitely is! Morton was "Rockin" his Spring bonnet with all of his friends this past month. Morton welcomes all Spring visitors to the park and he loves every season in McMichael Park. He’s always excited that the public enjoys the safe clean community space The Friends of McMichael Park volunteers provide! Local residents -especially schoolchildren- can be taught the skills necessary to plant a tree or flower bed. They can work with park stewards to maintain the space and all it has to offer. This is just another way where people in the community take ownership of the effort and help.

Join in on May 11th and Love Your Park!

Love Your Park Day in McMichael Park is scheduled for May 11, 2019 with a rain date of May 18th. We're asking all friends and neighbors to help with general clean-up, mulching and planting trees. FOMP volunteers will share “tips n tools” on how and what it takes to care for the park: we can always use more hands to clean, prune, sweep and do the ongoing park maintenance which keeps the park inviting and beautiful. https://loveyourpark.org/volunteer/

Storm water markings will also be done this year. (Please see article below.) If you can participate for an hour or more (no heavy lifting required) on May 11th then take a moment to sign up. The Friends of McMichael Park are hosting a big day with many activities planned for the 90th birthday celebration of McMichael Park. Please see attached flyer for times and events. (Tree Planting, Pop-up-Play, Pet Adoption, Movie in McMichael, Story-hour) Print and share with your friends and family.

Storm Water Problem in McMichael Park: A site inspection was completed this past month with Chief of Staff, Josh Cohen from the office of Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., Sue Buck, Jason Mifflin and other PP&R professionals. A budget for the reparations is in process as this storm water problem will only intensify. Curb repairs are also part of the renovation with Midvale Ave and Coulter Street needing the most replacement. Turf remediation was recommended as there are large areas of poor grading and uneven settling, decomposition of tree stumps, causing decompressions and bumps. Mostly onion grass and weeds throughout the park were visible. Water puddles and run off within the interior of the park as well which flows toward Midvale Avenue making the bus stop area marsh like. Swamp conditions along the Midvale Avenue side of McMichael Park along with pooling water underneath many of the benches. Water streaming and pooling along West Coulter Street side was also noted. Environmental issues are always the most challenging and we need to look at all the options and have a forward thinking approach. Also, check out some green storm water ideas: CLICK HERE

More about stormwater: Did you know that there are approximately 75,000 inlets collecting stormwater in Philadelphia? As it rains, trash and pollutants from our gardens, sidewalks and streets, are picked up and carried to these storm drains. Our storm drains lead to our sources of drinking water, the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) has been working with the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) to raise awareness of the effects of water pollution via stormwater runoff. Join us in marking storm drains on Saturday, May 11th as part of the Love Your Park cleanup event at McMichael Park. By marking storm drains, you’re playing an important role in protecting our waterways and reminding our friends and neighbors about the importance of keeping our storm drains clean!

When: Saturday, May 11th at 9:30am

Where: McMichael Park, Midvale & Henry Avenues

Register by contacting Kadafi El-Kardah at kelkardah@pecpa.org or at 215-545-4570

Note: Storm drains can only be marked if the weather is dry.

We will contact you if the Storm Drain Marking event is canceled

May 13th, 6:30 PM: "Story Hour" returns to McMichael Park in a coordinated program with the Falls of Schuylkill Library. Children's Librarian, Miss Meredith will be back with a fun read and activity for children to enjoy. Recommended for ages 2 to 6: siblings always welcome. Snacks provided by The Friends of McMichael Park. Bring a blanket. Monday, June 10th will be our second story hour in McMichael Park. Find out more about what's happening at the library at the upcoming Summer of Wonder Program!

May 27th, 11 AM: In Collaboration with St. Bridget's Church, The Friends of McMichael Park will host the annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27 at 11 am. A short program of Patriotic songs, Benediction from Pastor: Father Robert Feeney, a special Memorial Day speaker and Taps will be held, followed by a small reception. Looking forward to the community coming out to show their respect for America's fallen heroes. If you are free that weekend please join us to tidy up the War Memorial. If you are a baker or can provide a snack. Donations of cookies, cakes, or drinks are welcome for the reception.

Contact: Christina Kistler by May 15th for offers of participation or questions: cbkistler11@gmail.com

"I am honored to be recognized." - Alexis Franklin

On April 3, 2019, Alexis Franklin, Coordinator of the Friends of McMichael Park was recognized as a “Hero of the Community” by the Northwest Police Chaplains at the Mount Airy Church of God in Christ. The chaplains of the Northwest Division (5th, 14th, 35th and 39th districts) created this award to encourage and celebrate individuals who are devoted to civic engagement. Over the past thirty years, Alexis has taken on the leadership to rejuvenate the park and transformed it to the beautiful space it was intended to be by the founder and former Mayor Morton McMichael. She leads the Friends of McMichael Park, a group of volunteers who care for the park and provide public programming throughout the year. In addition to landscaping, tree care and park maintenance, she inspires and encourages public theater, beautification programs, educates volunteers and sustains the green space. Her passion and enthusiasm and her stewardship team have sustained the support of this park over many decades.

Parks on Tap:

Check out the full schedule and list of locations: https://www.parksontap.com.

In case you missed this...

Check out our FOMP volunteer: Meet Mike Andrews

THE FRIENDS OF MCMICHAEL PARK:

MAKING A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COMMUNITY