Playhouse Closes for Renovations Sept. 13, 2019 – Aug. 31, 2020
Preserving Play: A Campaign for the Next Generation
Smith is embarking on a transformational $14.1 million campaign that will significantly expand its programming and reach, and protect its legacy as a unique Philadelphia treasure for generations to come. The campaign will elevate Smith as a national leader in play and early childhood education, create additional enhancements for visitors to enjoy and experience East Fairmount Park, and, in partnership with the Parent Infant Center, develop a full-time, year-round Urban Nature Preschool that uses nature and the outdoors as the curriculum’s foundation.
Please refer to our Playhouse Construction Frequently Asked Questions and The Urban Nature Preschool: Cornerstone of the Preserving Play Campaign for more details about the preschool.
Smith is a free resource and civic treasure in Philadelphia, where generations of families from diverse backgrounds join together in unstructured, creative, and fun play. Built 120 years ago for the exclusive purpose of play, Smith’s beautiful, 16,000 square foot historic Playhouse sits on 6 ½ acres of open fields, wooded terrain, and sloped hills in East Fairmount Park. Smith welcomes visitors from over 500 zip code areas annually (including every zip code in Philadelphia) and leads education and advocacy efforts to promote play throughout the city.
Many of the social and intellectual skills one needs to succeed in life are initially developed through early childhood play. Yet play is still undervalued in our society. Smith, however, provides an opportunity for children and their families to enjoy unorganized play, which creates healthy learners, fosters creativity, and encourages collaboration.
Funds raised through the campaign will be used for the following projects:
MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES to help launch the Urban Nature Preschool on the first level, and to create new programmable space on the second level (Working Goal: $8.6 million)
REVITALIZED FRONT LAWN AND PARKING LOT to serve as a nature exploration Gateway to the play space (Working Goal: $3.5 million)
ROBUST ENDOWMENT to ensure continued support for the children and families we serve, regardless of background and income levels, for years to come (Working Goal: $2 million)
Please refer to An Exciting Opportunity to Promote and Preserve Play for more details about the projects above.
Mark Your Calendars!
Friday, September 13, 2019: Playhouse Closes for Construction
Smith’s Playhouse will close to the public for renovations and Urban Nature Preschool construction for a full year (through August 2020). The Playground will remain open for free family visits, group visits, birthday party rentals, and our annual events. Please refer to our Playhouse Construction Frequently Asked Questions for more details.
Saturday, October 26, 2019 | 3-4pm: Groundbreaking Ceremony
Join us for a celebration of the start of Playhouse renovations and construction of the Urban Nature Preschool. The ceremony will honor our top campaign donors and will include a hard hat tour of the Playhouse. More details coming soon!
September 2020: Urban Nature Preschool Opening
Please refer to The Urban Nature Preschool: Cornerstone of the Preserving Play Campaign for general details about the preschool. For questions about enrollment contact Parent Infant Center Executive Director Debbie Green at dgreen@parentinfantcenter.org or 215-222-5480
How to Support the Preserving Play Campaign
To date, we have raised more than $8 million toward our overall Campaign goal. We invite you to make a gift in support of the Preserving Play Campaign to honor the important and unique role Smith plays in promoting play for children and families in Philadelphia, and as an example for others to follow.
If you are interested in naming a space or program, please click the following link: Preserving Play Naming Opportunities
If you are interested in making a gift or a pledge in support of the Preserving Play Campaign, please click on the following link: Preserving Play Pledge Form
Thank You to Our Major Campaign Supporters!
$1,000,000 or more
City Council Discretionary Funds
Federal Historic Tax Credits
Franke Group
William Penn Foundation
$250,000 – $999,999
DCNR
Otto Haas Charitable Trust
RACP
$100,000 – $249,999
Melissa and Paul Anderson
Hanley and Isabelle Zwygart Bodek
2019 Board of Directors Fund
DCED
Fund for Quality
$25,000 – 99,999
25th Century Foundation
Elizabeth Cohen and David Whellan
Hassell Foundation
Landenberger Family Foundation
Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation
Michael Metelits
Dan and Faye Ross
In addition, we extend heartfelt thanks to several donors that have supported the Campaign with gifts up to $24,999.