FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse Elects New Board Members  During Exciting Next Phase of Capital Campaign  

June 24, 2019 (Philadelphia, PA) – Frances Hoover, Executive Director of Smith Playground & Playhouse, announced today that the Board of Directors elected five new board members to join Smith’s leadership team.  “This is an exciting time to join the board at Smith,” says Hoover. “We are completing an $8.6 million capital campaign that will fund major renovations to the Smith Playhouse and activate new programming spaces, including an innovative new Urban Nature Preschool.  We feel fortunate to have this new influx of talent to our board.” Please join us in welcoming Mary Beth McNeish Fedirko, Marc Mannella, Shanell Ransom, Meghan Talarowski, and Rupali Shah to the Smith board.  

Mary Beth McNeish Fedirko has been an early childhood educator for eighteen years at The Philadelphia School (TPS) in Center City, Philadelphia and also served on the Board of Directors at the Parent Infant Center (PIC), partner in the nature-based preschool that is scheduled to open in the fall of 2020 at Smith, where she chaired the fundraising and sponsorship committees of each organization’s annual fundraiser. She holds an M.S. Ed degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education where she received a dual certification in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. An advocate of nature-based play for children, Mary Beth led the loose parts play space initiative at TPS’s Early Childhood Education Center garden. Partnering with Nature Explore, she was involved in organizing and expanding the loose parts play space and seed-to-table program offered to preschool and kindergarten students. In addition, Mary Beth has given multiple presentations and written articles about The Project Approach and co-authored ‘Doll Stories’ a curriculum used as a vehicle to address anti-bias, prosocial, and anti-bullying behavior in early childhood education classrooms. In her personal time, Mary Beth enjoys outdoor adventures with husband Rob and six-year-old son Myles. 

Marc Mannella was the founder of KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools, and now works as an independent consultant in the K-12 education and leadership development fields. Mannella started his career in education as a science teacher, before serving as founding principal of KIPP Philadelphia Charter School, a college preparatory middle school in North Philadelphia.  After five years as principal he transitioned to the role of CEO, where he led KIPP Philadelphia’s expansion to a five-school network serving nearly 2,000 students in grades K-12, and oversaw all aspects of school and network operations. Mannella holds a B.A. in Psychology and Biology from the University of Rochester, and an M.Ed. in Education Leadership from National Louis University.  Outside of work, Mannella enjoys reading, cooking on his grill, and spending time with his wife, Mamie, and son, Quincy.

Shanell Ransom grew up in South Carolina, where she regularly encountered and witnessed racial and economic injustice. This inspired her to take a path of service and commitment to justice and equity.  Equipped with an undergraduate degree in sociology and a minor in crime, law & society, Shanell went on to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA, and carried her passion for service to communities across the globe. While working toward a Master of Public Service, Shanell relocated to Philadelphia for an internship with the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation to work with the neighborhood revitalization grants program. Shanell joined the Fels Fund in 2015 where she is Grants and Operations Manager. Highlights from her work include streamlining the application process, moving the grant application and grants management system online, and redesigning the website. Beyond improving the efficiency of systems within the organization, she is a critical voice in the work towards equity and fight for justice. She also serves on the Steering Committee for the Philadelphia Chapter of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy and is a member of the Philadelphia Black Giving Circle. In her personal time, Shanell indulges in the five F’s and one T: Faith, Family, Friends, Fitness, Food and Travel.

Meghan Talarowski is the founder and director of Studio Ludo, a non-profit dedicated to building better play through research, design, and advocacy. She has degrees in architecture and landscape architecture, over 15 years of experience in the design field, and is a certified playground safety inspector. Her research focuses on how the design of play environments impacts physical health and social behavior and has been presented at conferences worldwide. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, NPR, Vox, Next City, Landscape Architecture Magazine, and World Landscape Architecture Magazine. 

Rupali Shah has lived in Philadelphia for 15 years and currently resides with her family in Bella Vista.  She is an attorney, an entrepreneur and a civic minded citizen active in local and state politics. She is currently the Corporate and Commercial Counsel at American Water and holds a BS in Finance from Georgetown University and a JD from the George Washington University School of Law. She values green and public spaces for community gathering and building and loves to bring her daughter, who is almost 8, to Smith Playground. Imaginative play is an important part of her family life and she understands not all children have access to safe play spaces. She is excited for the opportunity to join Smith’s Board and to put her time and resources into our mission. 

Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse is a non-profit organization located in Philadelphia’s East Fairmount Park. Founded in 1899, Smith welcomes visitors from more than 500 zip code areas including every zip code in Philadelphia. The mission of Smith is to provide and promote opportunities for unstructured free play for children. Smith contributes to the development of healthy children, strong families, and safe communities by: 1) maintaining a proud tradition of free family admission; 2) partnering with community-based organizations to reach a diverse audience; and 3) advocating for the importance of play. For more information about Smith please visit www.smithplayground.org. 

Media Contact:
Zoe Lowry
215.765.4325 x101
zoe@smithplayground.org 

We’re excited to have a limited supply of 2019 Kidchella Music Festival in kids’ sizes! Order yours online today or purchase at our remaining concerts in July and August!

February 25, 2019 (Philadelphia, PA) – Frances Hoover, Executive Director of Smith Playground & Playhouse, announced today that the Board of Directors elected a new slate of Board Officers. This team will lead the exciting next phase of Smith’s capital campaign, which includes beginning construction to increase play space and construct a Nature Preschool in the Playhouse. “We are entering an exciting period in the growth and development of Smith. It’s wonderful to know that we have a strong team in place to lead the way,” said Frances. Please join us in welcoming Joe Khan as President, Virginia G. Essandoh, J.D. as Vice President, and Ivy Olesh as Secretary. In addition, Stephen Wielgus will continue to serve as Board Treasurer.

Joe Khan is a nationally recognized trial and appellate lawyer who has litigated hundreds of cases in state and federal courts. As the coordinator of Weisbrod Matteis & Copley ’s pro bono program, Joe has a lifelong commitment to public service and has won widespread acclaim as the runner-up in the seven-way primary election for Philadelphia District Attorney in 2017.

Virginia G. Essandoh, J.D. serves as Ballard Spahr’s Chief Diversity Officer. She sits on the Management Committee and Expanded Board and is responsible for overseeing, implementing, and providing strategic leadership to Ballard Spahr’s diversity initiatives. Working closely with the Diversity and Inclusion Council, Virginia advises and collaborates with firm management, to implement the firm’s diversity and inclusion strategic goals and inspire the concepts of diversity and inclusion into firm culture.

Stephen Wielgus joined Smith’s board in 2016 and has been the Board Treasurer since 2017. Steve is the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis for the University of Pennsylvania’s Business Services. Prior to joining Penn in 2013, he worked in the private sector for Johnson & Johnson in a variety of finance capacities. He holds a BS from Bucknell University and an MBA from University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. Steve and his family reside in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia.

Ivy Olesh is a civic leader, volunteering and serving on boards that focus on recreation, public space and play, public education and public art. She is the founding member and former president of a non-profit called Friends of Chester Arthur that supports the neighborhood public school where she resides and now where her son attends school. Professionally, Ivy is the Executive Director of Playworks, a nonprofit with the mission to bring safe and healthy play to kids to build confidence, reduce bullying, teach leadership and improve academic outcomes. Ivy lives in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood along with her husband, Matt, and their 8-year-old son, Brody.

Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse is a non-profit organization located in Philadelphia’s East Fairmount Park. Founded in 1899, Smith welcomes visitors from more than 500 zip code areas including every zip code in Philadelphia. The mission of Smith is to provide and promote opportunities for unstructured free play for children. Smith contributes to the development of healthy children, strong families, and safe communities by: 1) maintaining a proud tradition of free family admission; 2) partnering with community-based organizations to reach a diverse audience; and 3) advocating for the importance of play. For more information about Smith please visit www.smithplayground.org.

Media Inquiries:
Zoe Lowry
215.765.4325 x101
zoe@smithplayground.org

Smith is now hiring for the following positions:

Director of Development
Regular/Full Time; Salaried/Exempt

The Director of Development is responsible for the design and successful execution of a broad array of fundraising strategies for project and general operating support including: foundation funder research; grant writing and reporting; corporate sponsor cultivation; annual appeal and individual donor solicitation, including memberships; and annual fundraising event planning. S/he supervises one full-time staff member, Development Associate, and one part-time staff member, Manager of Communications. Full job description

Dear Friend,

Play is crucial to a child’s development and well-being. It is at the core of Smith’s mission: to provide and promote opportunities for free unstructured play. And Smith believes that play is for everyone, not just a lucky few.

Through play, children develop who they are. Their cognitive, language and physical skills develop through their play experiences, as well as their imagination, concentration, self-confidence and sociability skills.

These skills are not a luxury and should be accessible to ALL.

This is nothing new to Smith – we’ve been committed to “play for all” for over a century.

Your support of Smith will allow us to continue the 119 year old tradition of daily, free admission. It will also support our new initiative of welcoming low-income families to annual events, like Play-A-Palooza and Winter Wonderland, free of charge.

We are proud to say that in 2017, 25% of event admission was through the distribution of complimentary tickets to families in need. YOU can help us increase this number.

Please show your dedication to PLAY and make a tax-deductible contribution to Smith Memorial Playground today.

Sincerely,

Jenny Bogoni, President
Board of Directors

Smith and Read by 4th are excited to install Talk It Up — new playful learning signage starring “super kid” AJ — in select grocery stores, barber shops, and other locations thanks to the William Penn Foundation!

Where Can I Talk It Up?

Grocery Stores
ShopRite of Fox Street  |  Roberts Ave & Fox St, Philadelphia, PA 19129
ShopRite of Roxborough   |  6901 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19128
ShopRite of Parkside  |  1575 N 52nd St #400, Philadelphia, PA 19131
ShopRite of Haverford  |  6710 Haverford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19151
ShopRite of Island Avenue  |  2946 Island Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153
ShopRite of Oregon Avenue  |  24th St &, W Oregon Ave
Fresh Grocer of Monument Road  |  4160 Monument Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19131

Barber Shops
Creative Images Unisex Hair Salon  |  2737 West Cecil B. Moore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19121
Process Junior’s   |  2224 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19121
Sly’s Barber & Beauty Salon  |  2237 N 29th St, Philadelphia, PA 19132

About Talk It Up

Talk It Up is a 2-year initiative that aims to create high-quality caregiver and child interactions that increase early language and literacy skills in children through the use of engaging, literacy building signage in everyday spaces.  This Fall 2018, the project is launching in 7 Wakefern owned grocery stores and 3 North Philadelphia barber shops and will expand to 20 more locations by January 2019. 

Smith is building on local and international research to turn Talk It Up into a large-scale, multi-venue project by partnering with Read by 4th, a citywide campaign working towards a shared vision that all children will be reading on grade level by 4th grade, experts Dr. Brenna Hassinger-Das (Pace University) and Dr. Jenn Zosh (Penn State University), and Mighty Engine.

Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse is thrilled to announce that it will partner with the Parent Infant Center (PIC) to open an Urban Nature Preschool at Smith!   

Smith is proud of our 119-year history as a beloved space where children enjoy free play, and of our education and advocacy efforts to promote the importance of play for children’s healthy development. As part of our $13.5M capital campaign, Preserving Play, we are also committed to expanding the ways that Smith serves as a resource for families. One result of making major capital improvements to our historic Playhouse will be the creation of an Urban Nature Preschool where exploration of the natural environment in East Fairmount Park and play and learning in – and through – nature will be central to the curriculum. The Urban Nature Preschool will also serve as a local and regional training site for other early childhood educators who will have the opportunity to explore and study the program “in action,” and to observe how hands-on exploration and outdoor opportunities serve as the primary focus of the curriculum.   

We think our plan is a truly unique vision, especially in an urban environment like Philadelphia. And we know we need a great partner to help make the Urban Nature Preschool a reality.  Earlier this spring, Smith’s staff and board solicited and vetted proposals for a partner to operate the preschool. We selected PIC based on its impressive track record of providing the highest quality early childhood education, its commitment to nature play and learning, and the alignment of its mission and values with Smith’s own dedication to serving a diverse population of families.  

The Urban Nature Preschool will be located in a portion of the Playhouse that is not used currently and that will undergo extensive repair and renovation, possibly as early as 2019.  It will have two classrooms, each serving 17-18 children, ages 3-5. The preschool will operate full-day, full-year, and is committed to serving a wide range of families, including those who live in the neighborhoods closest to Smith.  

We look forward to this exciting partnership with PIC.  In the meantime, we are focused on our capital fundraising. Reaching a $5.5M milestone will position us to break ground on renovations of the ground floor of the Playhouse, with additional capital goals for more building improvements also in the works.  We are very close! 

More information about the urban nature preschool, including renderings, can be found here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Zoe Lowry
zoe@smithplayground.org
215.765.4325 x101 

Philadelphia, PA (June 28, 2018) – The 5th annual Kidchella Music Festival is in full swing at Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse with remaining concerts on Friday, July 20 and August 17!  Each date will feature live music in the 6 ½ acre Playground by nationally acclaimed Children’s Music artists, youth performances, arts stations, and yummy food trucks.   

At 4pm families are invited to Smith for free play in the Playground and family fun in the Youth Arts Zone which includes a youth music stage, arts stations, and giveaways.  Families may purchase dinner from a variety of popular food trucks or bring food for a picnic in the Playground.  

The main concert will begin at 6pm and will feature a fantastic lineup of family-friendly music curated by Jeff Bogle of OWTK.com and emceed by Kathy O’Connell of WXPN Kids Corner.  Shine and the Moonbeams (Soul/R&B) and Grammy-nominated The Alphabet Rockers (positive Hip Hop) will perform in July and Red Yarn (foot stomping Americana Folk) and Vered and the Babes (Doo Woop inspired Acoustic Rock) will perform in August. 

Smith’s Executive Director Meg Wise noted, “Kidchella started in 2014 as a small performance on our front lawn for an audience of a few hundred people and grew to a summer-long concert series in the Playground welcoming over 2,000 children and adults from all sections of the City and surrounding suburbs as well as out-of-state visitors. This year, we are excited to give as many families as possible the opportunity to experience this awesome event by offering discounted tickets to PA ACCESS cardholders and free admission for families participating in our Play For All community programs.” 

Kidchella is a rain or shine outdoor event.  Tickets are $10 per person (children age 1+ and adults) or $5 for Smith members and PA ACCESS Cardholders.  Purchase tickets, memberships, and learn more at: https://smithplayground.ticketleap.com/kid2018/  

Support for Kidchella provided in part by the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, MetroKids, Power Crunch, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Inspire, Kia Motors America, Simple Society, Honest Tea, and Lee’s Hoagie House.  

Shine and the Moonbeams are singer-songwriter Shawana Kemp and guitarist John Heagle, two New York musicians who have collectively been in every musical genre from Musical Theatre to the circus. Learn more at Shine & the Moonbeams (Facebook) 

Alphabet Rockers are known as the premiere children’s hip hop artists who focus on social change and racial justice. Learn more at www.alphabetrockers.com  

Red Yarn (aka Andy Furgeson) is a Texas-born, Oregon-based family performer who weaves folksongs and puppetry into high-energy shows for all ages.  Learn more at www.redyarnproductions.com   

Vered and the Babes consists of the amazing Rob Jost on bass and french horn, and Matt Hilgenberg on trumpet and percussion. Their songs have the kids jumping, cooking, and shaking while their parents are smiling and sometimes even shading a tear. Learn more at www.babyintune.com   

Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse is a non-profit organization located in Philadelphia’s East Fairmount Park.  Founded in 1899, Smith welcomes over 200,000 visitors annually from more than 500 zip code areas.  The mission of Smith is to provide and promote opportunities for unstructured free play for children. Smith contributes to the development of healthy children, strong families, and safe communities by: 1) maintaining a proud tradition of free family admission; 2) partnering with community-based organizations to reach a diverse audience; and 3) advocating for the importance of play.  For more information about Smith please visit www.smithplayground.org.   

Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors!

Power Crunch, a company committed to children and healthy living, joins Smith to provide support and additional programming for our annual family events including Play-A-Palooza, Kidchella Music Festival, Healthy Halloween, and Winter Wonderland.

As a national sponsor of the Boys & Girls Club of America, Power Crunch will bring their “Nutrition Mission” campaign to Smith this Spring. Families are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to Smith through the month of April.

“Nutrition Mission” is a program designed to help feed thousands of kids who participate in the National School Lunch Program. During the summer months, Nutrition Mission ensures these children receive a healthy lunch when they no longer receive a free meal at school and access to food may be minimized.

Philadelphia, PA (March 1, 2018) – Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse invites families to Play-A-Palooza 2018, the seasonal grand opening of the Playground, on Saturday, March 31 from 12pm – 4pm.  This year, Play-A-Palooza will include a special PBS Kids Pop Up area on Smith’s front lawn featuring appearances by Nature Cat, special giveaways, and games in addition to live performances by All Around the World Music; Keystone State Boychoir, Pennsylvania Girlchoir, Garden State Girlchoir, New Jersey Boychoir, Philadelphia School for the Circus Arts and Project Capoeira; and other activities in the 6 1/2 acre Playground!

A variety of nature play activities, arts and crafts, and games will be presented by other local partners including Audubon Pennsylvania, Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, Kith + Kin, Let’s Go Outdoors, Northeast Treatment Centers, Outward Bound, Parent-Child Home Program, Public Health Management Corporation, Read by 4^th, Soccer Shots, and Tinkergarten. Healthy snacks generously provided by Herr’s. Other support for Play-A-Palooza provided in part by Power Crunch and WHYY.

Smith’s Executive Director Meg Wise noted that “although we have begun to keep the Playground open year-round in 2018, Play-a-Palooza marks the official start of our Playground season which includes access to the Giant Wooden Slide and extended Spring and Summer visiting hours.  In addition, we are thrilled to offer free household admission to ACCESS cardholders in addition to our members, which we hope will give more families the opportunity to experience one of the happiest days of the year at Smith.”

Admission is $10 per child or free household admission for Smith members and ACCESS cardholders.
Details and tickets
Playground season hours

Media Contact:
Zoe Lowry
215.765.4325 x101
zoe@smithplayground.org

Photo credit: Studio Ludo

Smith has started a partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia, Studio Ludo, Erector Sets Inc., and DIGSAU to create new play spaces in the Cecil B. Moore, Wyoming, Kingsessing, and Whitman library branches. Smith will educate library staff about how to best incorporate play into its programming. Community engagement sessions were held in January and February to gather ideas and feedback from families about what play could look like at each of the four local branches.

Smith Memorial Playground has been a treasured destination for generations of families for over 100 years. An individual’s “Smith memories” can illustrate our positive effect on a child, which can last a lifetime.

Last month, Helen Porter, a 92-year-old Philadelphia resident, visited Smith for the first time as an adult. She brought two family members with her to reminisce about her time at Smith as a child. Helen recalls her first visit to Smith in 1930:

When I was 6 years old, my Sunday School teacher took our class and some of the mothers to Smith Playground. The year was 1930. It was a very long ride on the number 3 trolley. Because I got “trolley” sick, I was always given peppermint Chiclets. To this day, I seldom eat anything peppermint!

Helen (middle) visited us with her daughter, Gale, (left) and sister-in-law, Joanne.

We spent many hours in the big house playing checkers and other games, but the highlight of the day was the big sliding board. We went up and down, up and down. Every so often, it was adults only and the mothers stood in line and took their turns.After that visit, my mother took my brothers and me every summer. And now, the summer of 2016, 86 years later, I went back to Smith Playground! I remember the sliding board being much bigger, housed in a two story house with lots of steps to get to the top. Of course, I was very little and it seemed huge! What a surprise! My daughter, Gale, enjoyed her turn on the slide. We had a wonderful visit.

The mansion and grounds are a treasure and I was so glad to see it maintained so that it can be enjoyed by today’s children. Just like me, these children will have wonderful memories of Smith Playground.”

Gale goes down the Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide for the first time!

Do you have a Smith memory you’d like to share with us?

We want to hear from you. Please email your story/memory to Zoe Hillengas, Communications Manager, at zoe@smithplayground.org.

Thank you to former Smith board member Terry Ruggles and film maker Meredith Nutting for creating this video about Smith.  Feel free to share, so that more families can learn about us! Watch “A Mansion for Kids”

(July 29, 2015) You may be familiar with the work of Joe Boruchow, a street artist whose black and white wheatpastes are all over the city on mailboxes, trash compactors, doorways, and windows.  His newest work is a mural on both walls of the 33rd Street bridge leading up to the intersection of 33rd & Oxford Streets from Girard Avenue.  The mural depicts Smith Memorial Playground’s Playhouse, Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide, and swing set as well as other notable Philadelphia sites including:

• Strawberry Mansion Bridge
• Beth Israel Temple
• Woodford Mansion
• The Coltrane house row homes with Coltrane and band
• The historic # 9 trolley
• Vernon House apartment building
• Cornerstone Baptist Church and Strawberry Mansion Bridge
• Utility poles mirroring the existing ones at the mural site
• Row homes inspired by Spangler Street
• Dottie Smith singing with trio
• Fletcher Street Riders
• Strawberry Mansion
• Dell East.

Check out the mural on your next visit to Smith!