Sue Buck, deputy commissioner of operations for the city Department of Parks and Recreation, addressed the recent meeting of the Holme Circle Civic Association.
Buck has worked for the city for 29 years and said she hopes for the return of the Friends of Pennypack Park, which went dormant in 2020 when it lost its insurance following the settlement of lawsuits it had nothing to do with. Attorneys included FOPP in lawsuits against the park system because the group had “Pennypack Park” in its name.
Buck said construction is underway for a playground in the park near Little City, near the park entrance on the south side of Rhawn Street, east of Holmehurst Avenue. Construction will finish by the end of the year.
Buck said her department works with the police, park rangers and the city Office of Homeless Services to remove homeless encampments in parks. She added that anyone seeing a homeless encampment in a park can call 311.
The city, Buck said, budgets for 24 park rangers. Right now, there are 19 rangers, but 14 more will begin working nine-month seasonal shifts.
In other news from the April 23 meeting:
• Crispin Gardens Athletic Club president Fran Murray thanked the civic association for its $200 donation. The club placed an ad for the civic group in its banquet book. Murray said Crispin Gardens is doing well, with 400 people attending the banquet to celebrate multiple championship teams in several sports.
• Jill Henon, an aide to City Controller Christy Brady, encouraged people to fill out a survey at controller.phila.gov about city services. Henon said people can sign up for the office monthly newsletter on the website. Henon said the office also accepts reports of fraud. The hotline is 215-MU6-3804. Henon is at Hayes Playground, 9945 President St., every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through June, to handle property tax/rent rebate issues. She can be reached at [email protected].
• Stan Cywinski, an aide to City Councilman Mike Driscoll, said the office at 7552 Frankford Ave. hosts monthly visits from representatives who can help with issues related to veterans, Medicare, Medicaid and Licenses and Inspections. Cywinski said the office can help people fill out Philadelphia Activities Fund applications. The office number is 215-683-9220.
• Torresdale Library, 3079 Holme Ave., will host Family Storytime on Wednesdays, May 14 and 28, at 10:30 a.m. There will be stories, songs and interactive play for kids 6 months to 5 years old. ••
