Grays Ferry: Vare Recreation Center Reopens But Still Needs Work
“Originally, we had no idea of when we were going to reopen,” said Gina Batavick, the recreational leader at Vare Recreation Center. “We had a community meeting the last week of October and they told us four to six weeks, so they’re basically on target for six weeks.” After being forced to close down due to […]
South Philadelphia: After-School Engagement is Combatting Youth Violence
A bell rang in the distance. The neighborhood was quiet at first, a cool breeze rustling fallen leaves through Stinger Park. Within minutes, the dynamic changed. Children and young teens came barreling through the quaint park from Alcorn Elementary across the street and their high school counterparts strolled casually down the sidewalk. School was out, and the not-so-subtle […]
Grays Ferry: Priest Offers Faith-Based Alternatives For Recovering Addicts
Father Douglas McKay buries too many bodies. He received a call after mass on an October morning. It was regarding a 52-year-old woman; she passed unexpectedly in her sleep. As a priest in his home parish, not all the bodies McKay blesses pass so peacefully. “My brother Anthony died in a crack house when he was only 30,” McKay […]
Grays Ferry: Gym Stands To Box Out Violence
Sweat trickled down muscled backs, down onto the blue canvas stretched over a wooden frame which was pieced together by a carpenter from down the block. Fluorescent lights flickered over the glory of former champions pasted across the walls, under the watch of a small wooden cross. Sgt. Mike Rafferty leaned lightly on the ropes, […]
Grays Ferry: Planned Lanier Playground Renovations Bring Hope For A Better Community
The fenced-in block at 29th and Tasker streets stood silent on a cloudy Saturday in March. It’s the way Lanier Playground has looked for some time. But the dug-up ground and construction equipment that was left in place that weekend were a sign that it wouldn’t stay that way much longer. Plans to redo Lanier were made official at […]
Infrastructure: Five Projects Commuters Need to Know About
If last year is anything to go by, then 2016 is set to be a year full of disruption for commuters in Philadelphia, even without a visit from the Pope. And with 30 projects underway and 15 more set to begin this year, the upcoming Democratic National Convention will be the least of commuter’s concern. […]
Grays Ferry/Point Breeze: Five Restaurants To Explore
The Grays Ferry and Point Breeze areas – located between the Schuylkill River, Broad Street, and Washington and Snyder avenues – are home to not only an eclectic group of people, but also an array of churches, recreation centers and restaurants. The area has some of the most diverse culinary options in the city. Here […]
Grays Ferry: Low-Cost Animal Care Serves Those in Need
With a total intake of 27,990 animals last year, Philadelphia ranks above the national average of cats and dogs brought in to animal control. Allison Lamond (below), community outreach and volunteer coordinator for the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), doesn’t see that number decreasing anytime soon. “Life happens,” the eight year volunteer said, “people move […]
Grays Ferry: Salvation Army Reopens Its Doors
This past Thanksgiving, despite near-freezing temperatures, Cynthia McQueen stood outside. She watched as families, consisting of as many as 22 members, filed into her work location – a humble building on the 3200 block of Reed Street. The families showed up for a bagged meal full of many Thanksgiving staples including turkey, corn and peas. […]
Amateur Sports: Parks and Recreation Looking to Make the City a Better Place
Located at the intersection of S. 32nd and Dickenson streets in Grays Ferry sits Stinger Park. It has the appearance of many neighborhood parks throughout the city – old and worn from decades of use, with a touch of nostalgia. The park has the look and feel of an area that is in constant use. […]