Councilmember Cindy Bass unveiling the plans for construction at Happy Hollow. (Photo by Pryce Jamison)
The $8.6 million Rebuild Philadelphia project, initially planned for finish by the end of 2025, is finally set to impact the 114-year-old Happy Hollow Recreation Center, marking the new start of a year-long process of renovating the building’s interior and exterior.
The new timeline of the project was revealed at a community meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, in the recreation center on Wayne Avenue by Councilmember Cindy Bass and the construction Project Manager from the city’s Capital Program Office (CPO), LeeAnn Suen.
The playground and outdoor changes are now estimated to be completed by sometime in the Summer of 2026, with the Activities Building being set to be done by the Fall of 2026.
Some of the upgrades set to come to the Historic 1911 Activities Building include:
- a roof replacement,
- ceiling repair,
- restoration of exterior masonry,
- interior door replacement,
- new restrooms,
- new wi-fi and computer stations,
- HVAC replacement,
- lighting upgrades,
- a renovated kitchenette,
- a new boxing ring,
- and multi-purpose program space
Outside, there will be a new playground landscape installed, including:
- a play area designed for two to five-year-olds,
- an area designed for five to twelve-year-olds,
- a new safety surface on the ground,
- lighting,
- pavement games,
- picnic tables,
- trees,
- and security cameras
There will also be a new Sprayground area, a new resurfaced outdoor basketball court with new poles, backboards, nets, and more. Plus, a new ADA accessible ramp and stairs that folks can use to enter the property from Wayne Avenue.
The breezeway in between the activities building and the gymnasium on the side facing Wayne Avenue will also be replaced.
Tester Construction Group, which worked on both the newer apartment buildings at 139, 234, and 308-16 W. Chelten Avenues, has also been selected as the general contractor for the project.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Bass also announced that her office secured an additional $5 million in the plan to conduct phase two, which will carry over unfinished tasks from phase one.
Speakers emphasized that receiving community suggestions for renovations was vital in the process, with Bass saying it’s important to “get folks what it is that they said they wanted; a renovated facility which is long overdue.”
“We’re still early in the conversation, so as we proceed and move forward, we want you all to know exactly what’s going to be happening, and we want you to be a part of it,” Bass said.
The Councilmember’s office’s discussions with the community, dating back to late 2023, consisted of community meetings, youth-designed sessions, surveys, after-school workshops, and other formats that gave neighbors the opportunity to express their recommendations on what can be fixed at the center.
Longtime Germantown resident, Samuel Staten Jr., expressed his approval of the project during the event while standing in the same gym he spent most of his childhood, mentioning that the space “saved him” and that “our young kids need some place to go.”
“Every day after school, this was the gym where we came to play, and over the years, it hasn’t been attended to, so I’m really happy to see all of this happening now because it’s way overdue,” he said.
“I just want to see the best for these young people coming up behind me. This can be a great place, and we have to take care of it.”
In addition to the $13.6 million in Rebuild funds, an additional $2.3 million for the project has been secured through state and federal grants, now making this an almost $16 million project. State Representative Darisha Parker and Senator Sharif Street played a key part in securing this funding.
As Pennsylvania recently passed its budget, Senator Street emphasized that there was room made in the budget to support CPO renovations on different city facilities, such as Happy Hollow.
“We’re going to try and make sure that whatever resources we need to come up with to do our part at the state level, support plans that the Mayor comes up with and that Councilwoman [Bass] comes up with,” Street said.
He added: “There’s no greater investment than us investing in our young people and investing in intergenerational spaces.”
The groundbreaking of the property to make way for construction will be this Friday, Nov. 21, at 1:00 p.m.
After Friday, Happy Hollow Programs that are usually held in the Activities Building will be moved to the Basketball gym during construction. A protected walkway to the gym will also be maintained during construction.
The outdoor basketball courts may be closed as it’s being renovated, and there are alternative courts for folks at Stenton Park and Fernhill Park.
If folks have questions about the project, you can contact rebuild@phila.gov.
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