PRINTER'S NO. 1915
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
379
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY V. BROWN, THOMAS, KINSEY, CALTAGIRONE, DiGIROLAMO,
DRISCOLL, GODSHALL, HENNESSEY, MILLARD, MURT, NEILSON,
PASHINSKI, READSHAW, SOLOMON AND LONGIETTI, JUNE 6, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 6, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating June 12, 2017, as "Philadelphia Parks and Recreation
Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Philadelphia's parks and recreational organizations
have made many contributions to the City of Philadelphia for
more than 100 years and continue to provide various activities
and opportunities to enrich the lives of city residents and
visitors; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has a storied and rich
history that includes Native Americans, Founding Fathers of the
United States, architectural masterpieces, museums, landmark
sculptures, gardens, industrial landscapes, farms, historical
cemeteries and the five public squares that were designed and
given to the city by William Penn; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia first began offering parks and
recreational opportunities to city residents in 1867 under the
Fairmount Park System; and
WHEREAS, For several years, Philadelphia's parks and
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recreational opportunities and resources were managed by two
distinct entities, first the Fairmount Park Commission and then,
beginning in 1951, the Philadelphia Department of Recreation;
and
WHEREAS, The two organizations operated independently of each
other until their eventual merger in 2008, at which time the
Philadelphia City Council passed legislation that approved a
ballot referendum on the proposed merger of parks and recreation
resources; and
WHEREAS, On November 4, 2008, by a large majority of votes,
the referendum was passed and the Fairmount Park Commission and
the Philadelphia Department of Recreation were officially
merged; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia's Parks and Recreation Department was
formally established on July 1, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia's Parks and Recreation Department is
overseen by a 15-member commission that hosts meetings
throughout the City of Philadelphia and encourages the
participation of residents to continually develop the
department's vision, mission and goals; and
WHEREAS, While historic preservation and cultural resources
provide an economic stimulant for the city, Philadelphia's Parks
and Recreation Department offers residents other opportunities,
including access to outdoor spaces that total more than 10,000
acres, more than 215 miles of trails, community centers that
provide a safe environment in which educational programs are
offered, theater, mentoring programs, youth violence reduction
initiatives, services for disabled individuals, older adult
services, recycling opportunities, urban agriculture and various
physical recreational and sports activities; and
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WHEREAS, Philadelphia's Parks and Recreation Department
stresses that clean, green, safe and well-used parks are
fundamental to the health and vitality of urban life; therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate June
12, 2017, as "Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Day" in
Pennsylvania.
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