August 27, 2008 - Chris Therien of the Philadelphia Flyers Joins Volunteers from Genworth Financial and the Philadelphia Community to Revitalize Pop’s Playground

Members of Genworth Financial, New Kensington Community Development Corporation, NeighborWorks America, Franklin’s Paine, Friends of Pop’s and prominent local financial advisors of the Philadelphia community banded together with Chris Therien of the NHL Philadelphia Flyers to further the development of the Pop’s Playground in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The local community banded together and determined that the best way to accomplish long term change and keep the playground safe is to make sure responsible people are using the facility and keeping eyes on the playground. Two projects were identified to secure this transformation: build a skate park in an unused section of the playground and create a dog park in another. These projects will create additional areas of active use and extend the traditional times people are using the facility.

In order to accomplish these goals, volunteers dug several holes in the concrete area surrounding the skate park where trees will be planted, filled the foundation of the skate park with rocks, restored the children’s art sign atop the recreation center, landscaped the dog park area, put in a new fence, and created and painted trash can backboards.


About New Kensington Community Development Corporation
New Kensington Community Development Corporation’s mission is "to work collaboratively with the community to enhance the physical environment, increase the economic vitality and improve the quality of life for everyone."

In existence for over twenty years, the organization was founded in 1985 by the leadership of the local civic association to meet the housing needs of the community. The first ten years were concentrated on rehabilitating vacant homes and providing housing counseling services. After a 1995 neighborhood planning process, NKCDC began addressing other quality of life issues as well. The organization added a land use management program in 1996 and an economic development program in 1999. In 2001, NKCDC became the OHCD-funded Neighborhood Advisory Committee for its community. Today, NKCDC has developed into a community development corporation with a multi-faceted approach. Our efforts have made great impacts on neighborhood revitalization. Each year NKCDC serves more than 10,000 low- and moderate-income families and 22,000 residents.

About Pop's Playground
Originally dedicated to neighborhood soldiers who had fallen during WWII, the Black, Coyle & McBride playground was well used by the community for generations. It was host to family movie nights and eventually became known as 'Pop's' after the local playground caretaker. 'Pop' acted as grandfather, mentor, enforcer of rules and distributor of playground equipment. In the years of divestment following Pops death, this playground began to show signs of wear and became home to illegal activity. In 1995, the playground was officially closed. This did not stop either the degeneration or the continued use.

NKCDC, with the help of community partners has organized around this playground in an effort to reclaim it for our families. Illegal activities have been successfully forced out. May 2006 saw a major cleanup, trees installed around the perimeter, repainted playground equipment, basketball court lines and backboards. This two year-long effort and community commitment has resulted in the reclamation of the playground. Improvements have been maintained and a renewed commitment by the recreation department has assigned some maintenance staff.

About Franklin's Paine
Franklin’s Paine is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating and funding the construction of free, public skateboard parks in Philadelphia.