Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, City and State Officials Celebrate Groundbreaking on a Major Renovation Project at Lawncrest Recreation Center

Renderings available for download

PHILADELPHIA - Today, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, Councilmember Anthony Phillips (9th District), Pennsylvania Representative Anthony Bellmon (203rd District), City Officials, Community Ventures, and residents celebrated a groundbreaking at Lawncrest Recreation Center. The site, located in Philadelphia's 9th Councilmanic District, will receive a $23.4 million investment made possible by the City's Rebuild program, a historic capital investment of over $500 million in 72 neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries across Philadelphia.

This project received additional funding from the Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program totaling $2 million, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development totaling $50,000 awarded to Community Ventures.

"This groundbreaking at Lawncrest Recreation Center is especially meaningful to me, as this project was one I passionately advocated for during my time on City Council," said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. "With this $23.4 million investment and support from our state partners, we're not just restoring a building-we're revitalizing the spirit of Lawncrest. This is about more than bricks and mortar; it's about creating a place where our families can feel safe and grow stronger together."

"The Lawncrest Recreation Center has provided youth in the Lawncrest community with a safe space to socialize and play for decades," said Representative Anthony Bellmon (203rd District). "This $23.4 million project will not only provide much-needed renovations to the facility and outside play area but will allow families the opportunity to enjoy valuable time at the Lawncrest Recreation Center and provide a place where young people can grow and interact with their peers in a safe environment."

To revitalize Lawncrest, the existing 21,000 square-foot structure will be gutted and renovated to include a new gymnasium addition, along with improvements to the building's exterior, new playground, sports courts, and landscaping, to create a new, safe environment for residents to enjoy.

"Today, we are not rebuilding a playground or recreation center; we are building people and developing human capital," said City Councilmember Anthony Phillips (9th District). "Investments in people, especially children, yield results today, tomorrow, and thousands of tomorrows. This is proof that government, local and state, can get real things done for real people when we work together."

The Lawncrest Recreation Center, a 17.4-acre site, has a long history of being a community space for sports enthusiasts, with access to basketball and tennis courts, baseball fields, a gymnasium, multi-purpose spaces for dance and cheer, and more.

"Recreation centers are the backbone of every community," said Aparna Palantino, Director of, Capital Program Office. "Whether it be after-school programming or adult fitness classes, we are confident the renovations to come will support the health and a better quality of life in this community."

"I am thrilled for this renovation project to begin here in the Lawncrest neighborhood," said Susan Slawson, Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. "Thanks to the City's investment, we can refurbish this storied recreational space and site, and continue the recreation center's long history of providing a safe and high-quality space in the community for sports lovers of all ages to play a pick-up game with their neighbors."

Totaling $23.4 million investment, Lawncrest Recreation Center is set to receive transformative upgrades including:

• Exterior:
  • New doors, windows, and storefront systems
  • Full roof replacement
  • New exterior lights
  • Exterior masonry repairs
• Interior:
  • Demolition of indoor walls, ceiling, floors, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical
  • Construction of a building addition including a half-court basketball/volleyball court
  • ADA upgrades
  • New restrooms
  • New heating and air conditioning
  • New fire alarm and fire protection system
  • New security camera system
  • New interior paint and finishes
  • New furniture
• Site:
  • New Site Signage
  • New playground safety surface and equipment
  • New lighting and security cameras
  • New sporting facilities including; basketball courts, multi-sport tennis/volleyball courts, and a soccer mini-pitch
  • New landscaping and site furniture

"Our team is excited to embark on this new chapter for the Lawncrest Recreation Center," said Troy Hannigan, Director of Development, Community Ventures. "We're eager to collaborate with Lawncrest residents and the Rebuild team to transform this cherished community space into a modern, vibrant hub for all to enjoy."

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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.

Community Ventures is a Philadelphia non-profit real estate development and property management organization founded in 1987 to work in partnership with neighborhoods to improve communities and increase the supply of affordable housing. Community Ventures was selected by Rebuild to manage the Lawncrest Recreation Center improvements including community engagement, design, and construction.

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