South Philadelphia children have a new place to play after officials on July 8 unveiled a redesigned outdoor playground at the East Passyunk Community Center, the culmination of a decade-long community effort supported by state and city funding.
State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, state Sen. Nikil Saval, Councilmember Mark Squilla, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation officials, community leaders and summer campers gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the center at 11th and Mifflin streets. The project was funded through a $75,000 state grant secured by Fiedler and Saval, along with support from the City of Philadelphia.
The playground features a new swing set and climbing equipment. It complements existing amenities at the center, including a spray ground, indoor basketball court and gym.
The grant was awarded in 2022 through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Act 13 program, which supports recreation, trails and environmental improvement projects across Pennsylvania. After several years of design and construction, the playground officially opened.
“It’s always a good day when we get to see the impact of public funding right here in our neighborhoods,” Fiedler said. “These dollars, that were once just numbers on a page, are now visible in EPCC’s long-awaited new playground. I’m thrilled that EPCC will continue to create lifelong friendships and strengthen our community for years to come.”
Saval said the investment reflects the importance of neighborhood recreation centers.
“East Passyunk Community Center is growing and changing just like the people who transform a recreation center into a community,” Saval said. “I’m so proud to put public dollars into action to improve the splendid outdoor playground area for the benefit of all the neighborhood’s children. Now equipped with room to crawl, slide and climb, this beloved community anchor is ready to support our youngest neighbors through all stages of development.”
Before the ceremony, attendees observed a moment of silence for former EPCC Advisory Council President Joe Marino, who died last year. Marino spent years advocating for outdoor play equipment and other improvements at the center.
“I am proud to fund and support the vision of our dear, departed leader, Joe Marino, the Friends Group and the Advisory Council at East Passyunk Community Center,” Squilla said. “Seeing this playground come to life with the laughter of our children who will enjoy it for years to come is so gratifying to me.”
Margaret Kalalian, who served for a decade as the advisory council’s grants and funding chair, said the opening marked the end of a long campaign.
“Today we are celebrating the completion of a 10-year effort to provide an outdoor play area for the neighborhood,” Kalalian said. “They say good things come in small packages. The East Passyunk Community Center may have the smallest playground in the city, but it’s the best small playground.”
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson said neighborhood recreation centers provide much more than playground equipment.
“Every day, thousands of children are in our parks and in our recreation centers. That’s what we are here to provide: safe opportunities for kids to play, to communicate, to build social skills,” Slawson said. “EPCC is a gem here in South Philadelphia and has always been an important neighborhood gathering place, full of generations of families and full of life.”
The East Passyunk Community Center, operated by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, offers free and low-cost programs for residents of all ages. The new playground is the latest in a series of state-supported improvements championed by Fiedler and Saval, following previous investments of $180,000 for a new roof, $50,000 for a kitchen upgrade and more than $16,000 for improvements to the center’s multipurpose room. ••
