Philadelphia City Council sends more money to parks and recreation

City Council is spending more money on Parks and Recreation in Philadelphia.

The just over $2.6 million comes on top of the original parks and recreation budget of more than $50 million. City Council President Darrell Clarke said the goal is to restore cuts the city had to make because of a tight budget.

 

“As we realized additional revenues in the city of Philadelphia we felt it was appropriate to re-adjust the budget and put those programs back in the budget, so we did that via transfer ordinance,” Clarke explained.

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He said the Parks and Recreation Department has control of the money, but council is hoping the department will accept advice on steering it to decaying recreation centers.

“I know Councilman Squilla and Councilwoman Bass had expressed some concerns about the conditions of some the recreation centers throughout the City of Philadelphia,” Clarke said. “It’s some hope that we will establish broader provisions that will bring some resources to those particular rec centers.”

As part of the same budget action, Council also approved more money to help victims of domestic violence.

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