by Alexis Franklin
Over the past few weeks, our country, state and city have monitored the Covid-19 pandemic. This has been an unstable situation where we are learning new things each day. As of Now, the Friends of McMichael Park have planned a number of upcoming events which we sincerely hope can go on. However, cancellations may occur as this health crisis unfolds. Please stay connected to our various sites and The Friends of McMichael Park will keep everyone updated.
-Love Your Park: To date, Love Your Park week is still on as planned: May 9th -17th. Our McMichael Park is registered. How would you like to help? Send me an email and let me know what you can do. Volunteering is free! AND AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY! Lexy3904@gmail.com
-Not available May 9-17th? Other days can be added for various projects which we can gladly provide assignments based on your availability. There are many projects on the schedule and the Friends of McMichael Park openly and transparently allow for participation in any and all projects. Lexy3904@gmail.com
-Shakespeare Live is planned for June 2020. This summer, we are please to present a new production company, ShakespeareNJ. This summer’s performance will be something appropriate and timely; a new production especially for us of William Shakespeare’s “Julius Ceasar.” Dates are set for Tuesday June 2nd with a rain date of Thursday, June 4th. (please note this is earlier than prior years so save the date.) This Shakespeare Live performance should run approximately 70 minutes and will be followed by a post-show discussion with the cast! As we have invited everyone in the past 12 years, open air theatre, free, of course, and we encourage picnics and lawn chairs. This is the most popular of William Shakespeare’s plays and suitable for the entire family. The Friends of McMichael Park proudly sponsor our 13th summer of free theater in McMichael Park. Thanks to FOMP/Bill Hoffner for his efforts to get this production in McMichael Park.
–Parks on Tap will be returning to McMichael Park in August 2020. Parks on Tap is Philadelphia’s traveling beer garden that gives back! With a partnership between Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy, and FCM Hospitality, Parks on Tap brings a beer garden to various parks throughout the city all summer long. Each location provides fresh food, beers on tap, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages in a festive outdoor environment with comfortable chairs, hammocks, and clean restrooms. Parks on Tap is family-friendly. Dogs on leashes are welcome. Parks on Tap kicked off in 2016 as a way to engage the Philadelphia community and give back to the neighborhood parks. A portion of all proceeds are donated to The Friends of McMichael Park to help restore and maintain our open green space.
Here are Thirteen additional ways to stay connected with McMichael Park and beyond:
1. We have a BRAND NEW blog called McMichael Park Turtle Friends – https://mcmichaelparkturtlefriends.com/ – Highlighting our 30 years of volunteering in McMichael Park. #FOMP30
2. Check out all updates on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfMcmichaelPark/Click Here
3. Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsofmcmichael/?utm_source=ig_embedClick Here
4. Take a walk: Research shows that spending 20 minutes in nature can reduce stress levels. Enjoy the fresh air in your park! (Please note that Philadelphia Public Playgrounds and basketball courts are closed as of March 25th.)
5. Take note of your favorite nearby tree. Download the iNaturalist app and start to identify the plants and wildlife in your community!
6. Accepting Proposals! Philadelphia’s community-based groups embarking on creative projects & activities that are free and open to the public are invited to apply for grants through our Creative Avenues initiative. Deadline is Friday, April10th – http://creativephl.org/ca/
7. Explore a fun, interactive map for kids on different cool trees around the world.
8. Learn about a project in Jersey City where participants tweet for the trees for the trees have no phones.
9. Learn about the life of a tree alongside the young people in your life.
10. Watch the documentary Symphony of the Soil on Kanopy (a free movie watching service for all Free Library card holders).
11. Read or listen to Ecologist David Haskell tell the story of smells from eleven trees.
12. Watch live streams of the animals at the Monterey Bay Aquarium or the Osprey Cam from San Francisco Bay.
13. From the Philadelphia Park Alliance/Alex Doty: Think of your favorite park. What is your favorite thing to do there? Now write it down on our new Parks and Rec Defender shield!
When you’ve printed out the shield and added your favorite park and activity (feel free to add some art), please post on social media with the hashtag #PPRDefenders. Be sure to tag Parks Alliance, City Council, your Councilperson, and anyone else you would like to know how much you love your park. You can also send any pictures to photos@philaparks.org or text them to 267-404-3010.
When you share this, you are letting City Council know how important your parks and rec centers are to you and to your community.
Friends of McMichael Park 