Rebuild, Fairmount Park Conservancy, and Community Volunteers Successfully Plant Over 2,000 Native Species at Johnny Sample Recreation Center

Event Photos

PHILADELPHIA - City officials, community organizations, and residents gathered today at Johnny Sample (Cobbs Creek) Recreation Center in West Philadelphia for a Community Planting Day that celebrated environmental stewardship while showcasing the nearly completed $15+ million recreation center renovation through the City's Rebuild initiative.

"The Johnny Sample Recreation Center has been a cornerstone of this community for decades, and today's planting day shows what's possible when residents and city government work hand-in-hand," said Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District). "With these transformative improvements and the ongoing environmental care from our dedicated community partners, this recreation center will continue to serve as a vital hub where neighbors of all ages can learn, play, and grow together."

The event brought together Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy, Rebuild Philadelphia, and community volunteers to plant 2,000 native species and enhance green spaces on the grounds of the recreation center. Participants also received an exclusive preview of the nearly completed facility renovation before its official opening in the fall.

"Today's Community Planting Day represents the heart of what Rebuild is all about, transforming our neighborhood spaces while empowering residents to take ownership of their community," said Aparna Palantino, Director, Capital Program Office. "Seeing families and neighbors come together to beautify the grounds around this incredible $15+ million investment shows how capital improvements can spark a sense of shared ownership and environmental stewardship that we hope will benefit Cobbs Creek community for many years to come."

Led by Fairmount Park Conservancy, volunteers added native plants to the renovated recreation center's landscape. More greenery and connection between the recreation center and the park's natural environment were key priorities identified during the project's community engagement phase.

"This project demonstrates what community, nonprofit, and city government partnerships can accomplish around a shared vision," said Tim Clair, Interim CEO, Fairmount Park Conservancy. "The Johnny Sample Recreation Center renovation represents a significant investment in Cobbs Creek Park and the surrounding neighborhood, and through ongoing volunteer programs like today's planting event we're supporting the community's commitment to sustaining and enhancing a beloved neighborhood space."

All tools and supplies for the planting activities were provided by Fairmount Park Conservancy. The new plantings will be maintained through monthly community volunteer events coordinated by the partner organizations.

The Johnny Sample Recreation Center renovation includes partial demolition and new two-story construction, a renovated basketball gymnasium, new multipurpose and fitness rooms with boxing facilities, comprehensive ADA accessibility upgrades, including an elevator and accessible restrooms, and extensive site improvements with new lighting and landscaping. The project is also pursuing LEED sustainability certification.

Much of the lobby furniture - including benches, cubbies, and a reception desk - were built using Douglas Fir wood from roof joists salvaged from the portion of the building that was demolished. Giving new life to these wood beams reduces the project's consumption of new resources, reduces construction waste, and places a tangible piece of this building's history at the entrance to the renovated space

This site is one of four Rebuild projects in the Cobbs Creek community, totaling $30 million in investment. Completed projects include Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center, Cobbs Creek Nature Playground, and Blanche A. Nixon Library. The recreation center renovation is expected to be completed later this year, with programming continuing at the Laura Sims Skate House during final construction phases.

Residents interested in supporting Philadelphia parks can visit Love Your Park to learn more about opportunities near them. From regular volunteer workdays to citywide celebrations and year-round community organizing, Love Your Park brings Philadelphians together to clean, green, and celebrate our public green spaces.

Rebuild is the City's historic investment of over $500 million in neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries across Philadelphia. Rebuild promises to acknowledge history, engage the community, and invest intentionally to uplift pivotal community spaces, empower neighborhoods, and promote economic opportunity through diversity and inclusion.

Fairmount Park Conservancy brings parks to life. We work with the City of Philadelphia and its communities to steward our parks and nurture our shared environment, cultural resources, and public health. We lead capital projects and historic preservation efforts, foster neighborhood park stewardship, attract and leverage investments, and develop innovative programs throughout the 10,200 acres that include Fairmount Park, six other watershed parks and more than 130 neighborhood parks and gardens around the city. For more information, please visit myphillypark.org, and follow @myphillypark on Facebook, and Instagram.