Charles J. Ziehler Playground is a 7.1-acre site. Ziehler was renovated as a part of the Rebuild Initiative, a program designed to rehabilitate parks, recreation centers and libraries across Philadelphia. This playground will serve the Olney neighborhood, and includes a one-story recreation center, playground, pool, basketball courts, small picnic area and fields.

Our participation in the project was pivotal, as a part of the City’s initiative for diverse participation rate of 66% of minority-owned-businesses (MBE) and women-owned-businesses (WBE) of all contracts and ongoing projects. This percentage included both professional and construction services. This exceeds the goal that the organization had previously set for itself on its inclusivity and diversity goals, to show intentional support for

Though the park itself is vast, the scope of the project was reduced to the eastern third of the site. The project focused on critical sites and building needs and providing a refreshment of the playground. This included a design of a new playground area, improvements to the basketball court and picnic area, and new field lighting. Within the existing building the team proposed improvements to the bathroom, circulation, roofing and updates to the building envelope.

A critical turning point for the project was getting the required funding for the project. In addition to the investment made for the project by the Rebuild Initiative, additional support for the project’s funding came from PDCED’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Office of Budget Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program contributed one million dollars. The project at Ziehler Playground also received funding through the Green Stormwater Infrastructure improvement plans through the Philadelphia Water Department. These funds were directed to the improvement of the proposed on-site stormwater management system, to limit strain on the city infrastructure.

Rebuild is a local initiative (proposed by then Mayor Jim Kenney as an investment in underrepresented neighborhoods) to provide investment in neighborhood parks, recreational centers and libraries across the city for a more equitable community in Philadelphia. The Rebuild initiative promises to acknowledge neighborhood history, engage the community, and promote economic opportunities.