It’s playtime.
The children of the Point Breeze and Grays Ferry neighborhoods of South Philadelphia have a new and improved place to play thanks to a $21 million Rebuild project that was recently completed at the Vare Recreation Center at 26th and Morris streets.
Elected officials, the Make the World Better Foundation and community members assembled to cut the ribbon on the project, which is touted as Rebuild’s largest completed project to date. The playground, which dates more than 100 years, received much-needed repairs and revitalization.
“Vare has been a lifeline for many children in this neighborhood,” said City Council President Kenyatta Johnson. “This transformation is an investment in our children, their families, their safety and their future. It’s a pleasure to work in partnership with Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Rebuild to ensure our children have access to clean, green and safe spaces to play and learn.”
Work began on Vare Recreation Center in June 2022. Since then, the old recreation center has been demolished and in its place is a new 18,700-square-foot facility, which houses a 7,000-square-foot indoor basketball gymnasium with bleachers, a 4,900-square-foot gymnastics gym with new athletic equipment and a 900-square-foot multipurpose room that can be converted into two classrooms and additional multipurpose space for community programming.
It also includes a computer lab equipped with high-speed fiber optic internet, an adjacent pantry for storage and a centrally located administrative space, providing staff with visibility and easy access to the entire building and new bathrooms.
“The grand reopening of the Vare Recreation Center is a testament to our ongoing commitment to uplifting the next generation and each other,” Parker said. “This transformation is about uniting our communities to create spaces where our children and families can thrive and ensuring that every resident can see their tax dollars at work through tangible improvements to their neighborhoods. Projects you can see, touch and feel.”
The improvements to Vare don’t stop at the walls of the recreation center.
Outside, there’s a pair of new basketball courts, a 1,500-square-foot outdoor classroom and performance space, a new spray ground, a 6,000-square-foot playground for children of all ages, benches, game tables, ping pong tables, outdoor hydration stations, trash receptacles, accessible picnic tables and shade trees.
For nighttime activities there is new exterior lighting and a security camera system. Early next year, a new synthetic turf field funded in part by the National Football League’s Grassroots program through LISC and the Philadelphia Eagles will be unveiled. It will be utilized by the South Philly Sharks youth football program.
“This project is a testament to the power of community and public investment.” said Aparna Palantino, Director, Capital Program Office. “Thank you to the Vare community for your partnership throughout the renovation of this site, and thank you to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Rosenthal Foundation and all of our project partners. Your support is essential to Vare, and many other city projects.”
The project received an additional $1 million funding from the Rosenthal Foundation, $525,000 from the state Department of Community and Economic Development Community Conservation Partnerships Program, $250,000 from the Philadelphia Eagles to support the construction of a new field and $250,000 from the state Department of Community & Economic Development Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program.
“Today’s reopening of the Vare Recreation Center represents an incredible investment in the future of our community here in South Philadelphia,” said state Rep. Jordan Harris. “This $21 million revitalization offers our children, families and seniors a safe, modern and welcoming place to gather, grow and thrive together. Vare’s rebirth is a testament to what we can accomplish when we unite and prioritize public spaces that bring joy, opportunity and unity to our neighborhoods. Every Philadelphian, regardless of income, deserves access to green spaces and recreational areas that enhance their quality of life.”
Vare’s redevelopment was led by the nonprofit Make The World Better, which is co-founded by former Philadelphia Eagle Connor Barwin, his mother Margaret Bailey and local developer Jeff Tubbs. The playground and rec center are now open for residents to enjoy.
“The Vare Rec Center is MTWB’s largest project to date, and working with our partners at Rebuild, Philadelphia Parks and Rec and the great people in the Vare Community on this project has been a very fulfilling experience for our entire team,” Barwin said. “We can’t wait to see the new Vare Rec Center activated by the community and thriving for years to come.”
