Tarken Park and Recreation Center: Mission Accomplished!
On Sunday, March 18, 2018, 60 volunteers from the International WeLoveU Foundation returned to the Tarken Park and Recreation Center in Northeast Philadelphia for round two of their revitalization efforts. Initially, the group turned their attention to the park in November 2017. This second cleanup at the Tarken Center solidifies WeLoveU’s determination to help fulfill Philadelphia’s 2035 plan in hopes of extending their outreach to other parks and facilities.
The community really appreciated the volunteer’s hard work and showed it by maintaining the improvements during the winter season. Not a single basketball hoop was broken. Freshly painted walls on the recreation center remained graffiti-free. Litter and other trash once found scattered throughout the park were kept under control. Now, the WeLoveU Foundation returned to the neighborhood to complete the remainder of the project.
Now, the volunteer’s focus switched to removing poisonous vines and invasive plants. Over time, the unwanted greenery grew around the park’s playgrounds, tennis courts, and baseball fields. To counter this, the participants began digging and uprooting vines that crept up the sides of the tennis courts and fences. Surprisingly, each vine reached 12 to 15 feet above the ground’s surface! By removing them, all visitors can be sure to enjoy a safe park experience.
Meanwhile, the rest of the volunteers grabbed shovels and rakes. They bagged up loose wet leaves unearthed since winter. Also, they cleared pathways blocked by dirt and debris to make a safer walking trail.
Altogether, volunteers removed close to 2,000 pounds of trash, leaves and other hazardous debris from the park and recreation center. Many families happened to be visiting the park or passing by. They encouraged the WeLoveU group by saying words like, “Good job,” “Thank you,” and “Keep doing what you’re doing!”
During the course of the event, local media outlets came to report WeLoveU’s efforts at the Tarken Park and Recreation Center. Philadelphia’s ABC6, NBC10 and Fox 29 spread out throughout the park recording all the progress made.
Learn more about the Clean WORLD Movement and get involved.
5 thoughts on “WeLoveU Volunteers Complete Tarken Park Revitalization Project”
The volunteers focus on creating a warm and comfortable environment in the Tarken Park and Recreation Center in northeast Philadelphia is amazing. Their smiles and hard work has really shaped meaning of love for our neighborhood and families.
Even though it is an important asset for cities, the amount of green space available for public use is less common than it used to be. I’m happy to see people care about city parks which might lack resources and manpower to be maintained beautifully. Great job!
Wow! Such beautiful minds and hearts at work here! This is amazing! Thank you for all your hard work!
Wow, this is awesome! The volunteers did such an amazing job in making the Tarken Park and Recreation Center safe and clean for the community !!!
The love and efforts of the WeLoveU members never ceases to amaze me. The Chairwoman Zahng Gil-Jah has really done the most amazing thing! She has created a group where the volunteers actually enjoy what they do making them better citizens for their respective communities. She and the WeLoveU members are truly outstanding.