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Jun. 18th, 2007 @ 02:09 am
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I assume that something somewhere exists an agenda spelling out the advisory council's duties, but I've never seen it. So we do our own thing, which apparently falls into the proper parameters, because nobody stops us.
We have nothing new from the Department of Recreation, it's even extremely difficult to get them to keep the existing equipment repaired. There never seems to be any money in the departments coffers for anything new. I assume all parks are having the same problems, the parks seem to have a very low priority in this city, so we are on our own.
We apply for grants and solict for donations to get our operating money. Money from grants has to be spent specifically on the item named in the grant. Donations are more liberal but there's never much in the account.
You would be amazed at the prices we have to pay for trees. Three years ago we received a ten thousand dollar grant from Citizens Bank for trees. We were able to get 25 trees bought, delivered, and planted for the ten thousand. We were able to get a five thousand dollar grant from the Pennslyvania Horticultural Society for 9 steel benches to be delivered and installed by the end of this July. The Horticultural Society gave us a grant of six thousand dollars for an electric cart. two year ago to facilitate maintenance in the park. Three years ago we received a major capital gains grant from the Penn. Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources (187 thousand dollars), we were told to make a wishlist of things we felt were most important to us, to improve the park. We sat down with representatives from DCNR, the city, the rec dept, and PHS, and presented our ideas; better lighting, more play equipment, benches, trash bins, and rerouting a drainage problem from the maint. yard. What we got was the drainage problem solved, and the major portion of the grant was spent on repaving the walks in and around the park. The problem is not that the repaving wasn't needed, but we did not feel that the priority was that high.Talking to us was only lip service, they did what they wanted.
We appreciate money from any source that serves the best interests of the park but it would, we feel, better serve the park and the community if the powers that be would listen to the community which we represent.
We have seen no progress in getting a full time caretaker for the park, at least in the summer, may to november. Neither the politicians (Joan Krajewski), nor the Rec dept, Commissioner Victor Richard 111) have come to the plate. The situation remains the same. Schools are out for the summer, the weather is getting hotter, the bathrooms remain closed on the weekend, and the sprinkler will be off. The People that can change the situation either do not understand what the problem will mean to their constituents, or they don't care. We have to call Joan Krajewski at 215-686-3444 and Victor Richard, Commissioner of the Department of Recreation at 215-683-3601 and give voice to our displeasure again and again until they right this wrong. Hopefully if enough of us call and keep calling, and emailing, they will act.
The Advisory Council meets the last Tuesday of every month at 7pm in the building to the left of the parking lot. Everyone is invited! Bring your ideas, complaints, and questions. We won't promise to give you an answer you will like, we so rarely get them ourselves, but we will listen and try to give you an answer you find informative, if not satisfying. |
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Jun. 4th, 2007 @ 02:02 am
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It's been a busy spring for the advisory council, and the park should be showing signs of that soon!
We're getting nine new metal benches, they should arrive and be installed somewhere around July. They'll be installed along the paths in shady areas, although a few might overlook the sport facilities.
The problem with the park not having a full time caretaker; preferably Tony Dych has not been resolved. Without full time coverage seven days a week the restrooms will not open at all on Saturday and Sunday, and the sprinkler won't be on at all during the weekend.
You Can Help! Call Joan Krawjewski's office at 215-686-3444 or Victor Richard, the Commissioner of the Department of Recreation at 215-6833601 - call them both, it's your park!
In past years the park was manned by a full time caretaker and a part tiime helper from May to November, seven days a week. Now we are covered by a part time caretaker for only 35 hours a week. That's quite a drop from 75 hour put in by two people in past years. The Rec department does not take into account that this is a fortyfive acre park, the largest park in their system!
Wissinoming Park is not part of the Fairmount parks system, it's the Department of Recreation.
Apparently the department thinks that less people will be using the park this year, they won't be as messy as in the past, they won't get as hot and want to play under the sprinkler, and most importantly, they won't have to use the restrooms!
This community deserves better! Please contact the above numbers, they need to hear from you!
Now, on a lighter note summer camp starts on July 2nd. There are openings available, more information is available at the website. |
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