Last week, a petition went live calling on elected officials and Philadelphia’s Planning Commission to expand the Happy Hollow Playground and Recreation Center so it can have the space to offer the neighborhood more. Those pushing the petition noted that the Germantown and Nicetown Transit-Oriented Plan, published in 2008, called for facility and equipment upgrades at Happy Hollow, but that plan hasn’t moved forward.
Happy Hollow was Philadelphia’s first recreation center, built in 1911. The 2008 plan found that the various recreation centers around Germantown needed improvements, explicitly laying out equipment and facility upgrades needed for Happy Hollow.
This still holds, as outlined in the Rebuild project focus. That initiative looks to do the following:
- New roof, ceiling repair, sidewalk improvements
- Plumbing, electrical systems improvements
- HVAC replacement
- Asbestos abatement & lead remediation
- Exterior masonry, sealant, caulking
- Upgrade bathrooms to be ADA-compliant
- Upgraded WiFi infrastructure
- Updated lighting
While Rebuild may address some of the recommendations from 2008, it doesn’t cover a suggested “[expansion of] community gathering and open space by acquiring vacant lots.”
This petition, presented by the Original Friends of Happy Hollow and SoLo Germantown Civic Association, calls for Happy Hollow to acquire the adjacent lots at 4712-16 Wayne Avenue to build a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified building, which would serve as an “annex,” as described in the petition.
The recreation center currently houses a boxing ring, which the space was not built to accommodate. Because of its large size, it takes up much of the space. In the plan presented in the petition, the boxing ring would move to the annex.
Other things mentioned in the new space would include a commercial kitchen, large community meetings, computer access, ADA-compliant restrooms, infant changing tables, a library, office space, visitor seating, an auditorium with modern amenities, a First Aid Room, and various accessibility features. They say the expanded space could support many activities, including Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
Allison Weiss of SoLo Germantown says this expansion is essential for the community because there aren’t places for neighbors to gather, discuss, and engage. She also says it’s important that the recreation center doesn’t just house one particular activity (boxing) and makes space for various things for neighbors of all ages.
One petition signee, Carol Martin, agrees about the monopolization of the recreation center and believes it’s time to recenter the youth. Her comment reads, “I agree with expansion and would like to add that the playground itself should primarily be used for the children who have been displaced because of the boxing and meeting areas which were incorporated in the main building for far too long.”
The Germantown Info Hub contacted Councilmember Cindy Bass and 198th State Representative Darisha Parker, for comment since the petition is addressed to them. However, we are still waiting for a response to include their thoughts. If we hear back from them, we will add their sentiments.
Currently, more than 100 neighbors have signed the petition and agree that this expansion would benefit and serve community needs.
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