Saving a Playground, Lifting a Neighborhood

Friday in Feltonville was perfectly Philadelphia--it snowed on the first day of spring, but the sun broke through to warm the day. In a working-class neighborhood that’s seen tough times, a world-class playground stood ready for 500 children who speak 27 different languages. And when a group of kids burst through a banner to celebrate with Mayor Nutter, it was as sweet as a Rocky knock-out punch: a moment of triumph, a reason for hope, a source of pride for a neighborhood needing a lift.

The hero behind the gleaming new playground at the Feltonville Recreation Center is Shire Pharmaceuticals. It’s a global biopharmaceutical company with major operations in Chester County. And in true hero fashion, Shire has defied the odds—casting its vision beyond its borders, responding to the Mayor’s call for regional cooperation, and going above and beyond, with an additional three-year $100,000 commitment to the City Department of Recreation.

“It’s a small corporation doing big things,” said City Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson.

Cooperation, vision, celebration, hope—truly Philadelphia.

Photos by Gary Horn

Shire’s three-year $100,000 commitment to the City Department of Recreation will fund the opening of pools this summer.

City Department of Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson says big companies should follow Shire’s lead.

Enthusiasm for Project Playground was contagious. City Year, a Philadelphia non-profit service organization refinished the iron fence that surrounds the facility.

Children from diverse backgrounds now have a place to come together through the common bond of play.

Welcome to Philly, P.I., where Philadelphia comes alive

It wasn't difficult for us to settle on a concept for our new blog. Every day, the team at Simon Public Relations Group takes its perch on the 11th floor of the Bellevue on Broad Street, the heart of Philadelphia, along the Avenue of the Arts. It's an exciting place, where class meets grit and the pace rarely slows. We see a lot from our vantage point: the stars that shine on this city, the behind-the-scenes movers, and the trends before they emerge. The best part? We love what we see. Take, for example, the recently installed LED lights that make the Avenue of the Arts glow (photo by Jim Abbott for Center City District):

Of course, it's hard to miss such a breathtaking lighting display when it stares at you from across the street. But there are other, more subtle images and stories that are indicative of what makes Philadelphia a world-class city, and that's what we'll investigate and bring to you every week. We'd love to hear your ideas and suggestions, so please keep in touch.