"Zero to Ninety"

Our ninetieth year celebration continues...It has certainly been an active year for The Friends of McMichael Park and for the participants and supporters of the many planned events in McMichael Park. Love Your Park, Pop-up-Play, Movie Night, Story time with the Falls of Schuylkill Library, Flea Market, Qigong, Boxing, Dog pack walks, and soon to come "Parks on Tap."

The Friends of McMichael Park proudly honored our nation's hero's at the newly renovated East Falls War Memorial during our now annual Memorial Day Celebration. The Friends continue to implement and manage all activities in the Park through the generosity of friends and neighbors, including the many, many stalwart volunteers whose time, talent, and energy is clearly reflected in the beauty of this unspoiled park. We thank them all as to the vital and continued activation of the park for the enjoyment of its friends and neighbors. The remodel and renovation of the War Memorial is a prime example of the dedication The Friends of McMichael Park demonstrate to the preservation of this pristine space.

Whew! And Wow, The Friends of McMichael Park have certainly activated McMichael Park for a grand year long birthday party. We hope you are enjoying the many, many activities in our sylvan setting.

Take a look back...
From the late 1800s through today, parks have been a point of pride for a city. Emerging towns in frontier America would boast of their parks in promotional materials designed to lure investors and settlers from the East. The wide array of early postcards depicting local parks is additional evidence of communities' pride in them.
Urban parks are typically open, public places that can hold many people at once. These features have led them to be put to use as formal and informal gathering spaces, for civic or community events, and for planned or spontaneous events. Parks have even been put to unexpected dramatic use in times of crisis as as a place for people to gather and for authorities to provide services to those in need.
Much as early promoters touted many social and economic benefits of parks, advocates today cite impacts like the following:

• -Parks attract non-resident visitors who put new dollars into local economies.
• -Proximity to parks and open space enhances the value of residential properties and produces increased tax revenues for communities.
• -Open space captures precipitation, reduces storm water management costs, and protects underground water sources that often provide drinking water.
• -Trees and shrubs reduce air pollution control costs.
• -Parks provide habitat for wildlife.*

*resource from Digital Public Library of America

Twelve Years of Free Theater in McMichael Park...
And You Can't Always Get What You Want!

We got Rain!!!
Our annual free production offered to the community was brought inside due to weather. (3rd time in 12 years and we've got the Kurtz Center to thank!) The well-casted performance of William Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" (featured in the photograph above) performed a quirky, witty and contemporary show with a guitar, trumpet and ukulele thrown in for extra measure. Musical numbers from the Rolling Stones and Carol King caught everyone happily by surprise. Not to mention some audience participation as well. The Friends of McMichael Park provided birthday Cupcakes for all to celebrate the 90th Anniversary. Very Special Thanks to "Commonwealth Classic Theatre" (our annual partner), The David Kurtz Center for Performing Arts at the William Penn Charter School, The Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the East Falls Community Council for their support of this terrific production.

What's Next?
THIS IS HAPPENING: PARKS ON TAP in McMichael Park
August 21, 20195:00 PM to 10:00 PM
JOIN US AT MCMICHAEL PARK AUGUST WEEK! HOURS: WED + THURS 5 - 10PM FRIDAY 4 - 11PM SATURDAY 1 - 11PM SUNDAY 12 - 10PM

ABOUT McMichael Park: It all began in 1990 when McMichael Park was six acres of sky high grass, overflowing trash cans and refuse. It was unusable space that needed love and maintenance. Three neighbors, Tom, Keith and Alexis posted around East Falls that the Turtle needed a Friend. 95 people showed up at the first meeting. The Friends started with a $10.00 donation from Dave Kurtz. The rest is history as one looks at the engaging open green space that is welcoming and used by all. One of the only and most beautiful six acres of open green spaces in the East Falls Community. No park is too far when you’re biking, walking, or taking SEPTA. Use Go Philly Go to get to McMichael Park this week: http://bit.ly/2X2RxhE -- Use your valid SEPTA Key, TrailPass, TransPass, One Day Independence Pass, SEPTA Key or SEPTA Employee ID and receive $1 off your first drink at any Parks on Tap Location! https://iseptaphilly.com/perk/163 -- PARKING: Free parking surrounding the park on Midvale, McMichael and Coulter Streets.
EVENTS: Wed 8/21 | 5-7PM: Happy Hour with the Friends of McMichael Park. 50% of the proceeds will go to support McMichael Park. Join Roots2Rise from 6-7PM for free yoga in the park every Thursday! Donations are encouraged and those who donate will receive a free drink ticket to use at Parks on Tap that day. https://www.facebook.com/events/828343047527353/

Updates:
-Our Big Ash in McMichael Park, looks bad right now, with lots of suspect dieback and dead limbs. PP&R to the rescue and looking into it. Several trees have been treated already.
-Two overhead lights in the Park are out and have been reported.
-Recent July meeting of the Friends of McMichael Park with Jason Mifflin (PP&R) , firmed up the plans for the turf remediation which will begin Fall/2019. Jason is working with PWD to determine the scope of storm water remediation within the park. Jason is working with PWD for their recommendations with the stormwater problems in McMichael Park. -Our doggie bag stations have two new volunteers to keep up with inventory. The team of McCoy-Logan just ordered 4000 bags which should keep the park clean till the end of the year. Funded by FOMP with Thanks to all the dog walkers too.

-Thanks to FOMP volunteer Allison O'Callaghan for her efforts this past year with the dog bag restocking.

-Stay updated and follow the Friends of McMichael Park on Facebook: FOMP Click here And now on Instagram: FOMP Click here

THE FRIENDS OF MCMICHAEL PARK:
MAKING A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COMMUNITY