City Councilman Bobby Henon last week joined Kathryn Ott Lovell, commissioner of the city Department of Parks and Recreation, for an update on the major improvement project coming to Russo Park, Torresdale and Cottman avenues.
Russo is a recipient of an investment from Rebuild, the city’s initiative to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in neighborhood parks, recreation centers and libraries. Rebuild Executive Director Nicole Westerman was on hand for the update.
Planning began in 2016, and a master plan was created a year later. Highlights will include new athletic fields, an outdoor amphitheater, a jogging and walking loop, areas for reading space and small performances and new landscaping to beautify the park and provide shade.
There will be a revitalization of the Christa Lewis Memorial, built in memory of a 16-year St. Hubert honor student stabbed to death by a fellow teenager at a carnival in the park in 1996. Ott Lovell said the beautification will make the memorial peaceful and respectful.
Last November, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced a grant of $250,000 for Russo for work to include construction of pedestrian walkways and basketball courts; installation of adult fitness station equipment with required safety surfacing; Americans with Disabilities Act access; and landscaping and sign improvements.
Meanwhile, the city is helping St. Hubert High School build athletic fields at the 12.5-acre park, across the street from the school. There will be a turf field for the soccer, lacrosse and field hockey teams. The two softball fields will be rehabbed, allowing the varsity and JV teams to play at the same time. The tennis courts will be renovated. Outside groups can apply for permits to use the turf field.
Funds are coming from the city beverage tax. Rebuild has also received a $100 million commitment from the William Penn Foundation.
Ott Lovell, a 1992 St. Hubert graduate, said her motto is, “Drink soda, build parks.”
The St. Hubert/Russo partnership is somewhat similar to what Father Judge has with Ramp Playground and Little Flower with Hunting Park.
Lizanne Pando, president of St. Hubert, attended the April 17 event, along with the Bambi mascot and athletes, including some from the perennial champion cheerleading team. Members of the softball team held a sign that read, “Thank you Councilman Henon.” In appreciation, the athletes presented Henon with a cake and Ott Lovell with flowers.
Pando explained that St. Hubert has 14 varsity and JV sports and six intramural sports. Some 335 students are athletes, and more than half of them earn first or second honors. Gym class will be able to use the park once renovated, as will summer campers. The orchestra and drama and dance clubs will also have a new home in the park.
There is no exact date for groundbreaking, and St. Hubert does not expect to be able to fully use the new park until the fall of 2021.
“It’s going to be fantastic,” Henon said.
Back in 2012, the city spent more than $576,000 in renovations at Russo. Ott Lovell was St. Hubert advisory board chairwoman at the time, and the money came from former Councilwoman Joan Krajewski.
Today, Ott Lovell points to a recent Pew Charitable Trusts report that labeled Holmesburg “at risk” because of population loss. She believes the extensive park renovations will provide a major boost.
“This is a neighborhood that will thrive into the future,” she said.
Henon, who directed $250,000 in funding to get the project started, is looking forward to the new-look park.
“Spaces need to be redesigned,” he said.
Also attending the event were state Sen. John Sabatina Jr. and state Rep. Mike Driscoll. Driscoll said Tacony, Mayfair and Holmesburg can go one way or the other, adding that the park project will help make those neighborhoods “a rising sun.”
“We’re going in the right direction,” he said. ••
