Markward Playground and O'Connor Pool

04/01/2026

🚨New program for April!🚨

Girls Field Hockey

🗓️: Tuesdays, April 7th-April 28th
⌚️: 6-7:30pm
❓: girls ages 7-12
💲: $25.00/player
📧: [email protected] to register

Come learn the game of field hockey with Kim, our neighborhood volunteer and former player! Sticks are provided if needed.

Space is limited!

03/20/2026

Swing into spring with us 🌸

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is popping up at Schuylkill River Park with FREE sweet treats, photo ops, and plenty of springtime vibes. Stop by, snap a pic, and celebrate the season!

📍 Schuylkill River Park, 25th & Spruce | 3-5pm

02/25/2026

**🚨WAITLIST HAS STARTED🚨**

☀️🌊 NEW camper registration opens on Monday, March 2nd at 6pm at the rec. Space is extremely limited and must register in person. $75 registration fee required. For more info, contact [email protected] ⚽️🏀🏈🏐

02/20/2026

🚨 ALL SPOTS HAVE BEEN FILLED 🚨

Street hockey with Mr. Bill is coming next month!

📆: Mondays/Wednesdays, March 2nd-April 1st
⏱️: 6-7pm
❓: ages 6-10
📧: [email protected] to register

*limited to 15 participants*

02/06/2026

Contest 🚨: Calling all youth ages 13-17! Share your voice on Black history and culture by entering the Citizens Police Oversight Commission's (CPOC) 2nd Annual Black History Essay Contest. Entries are accepted now through February 18.

Prompt: Imagine a conversation between you and a Black historical leader who fought for justice. What would they say about how youth, the police, and the community can work together to create fairness, trust, and accountability? (500 words max)

Prizes:
1st Place - $300
2nd Place - $150
3rd Place - $75

Submit essays to [email protected] by February 18. Winners will be announced at the Black History Celebration on February 25. Details to come!

02/06/2026

Celebrate Black History Month at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation sites and our partners.

02/06/2026

🖌️ 🎨 The first week of our new session of Kids Arts & Crafts program is complete, and our two brand new young artists are already creating amazing projects!

There’s still time to register — this session runs on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 6:15–7:00 PM, just $25 per participant. Last class week of March 10th.

For registration or more information, please email [email protected].

02/06/2026

The Program staff here at Markward appreciate and thank the Operation team in our department for their continuous support and hard work that keeps not only the area around our facility, but the entirety of Schuylkill River Park as a whole safe and accessible. They may be “behind the scenes” compared to Programs- but without them, our facilities would not be able to operate for us to serve City of Philadelphia residents!

01/26/2026

Just a reminder- we are closed and all programs are cancelled for today!

01/23/2026

Stay safe and stay warm!

This just in: City of Philadelphia administrative offices will be closed on Monday, January 26, due to emergency weather conditions.

Please stay safe and visit www.phila.gov for the latest updates.

01/20/2026

Update: pushing start date back a week! Spots still available!!

🎨 A new year and a brand new session of kids arts & crafts with Ms. Hilary is starting next week! Offering two options again on Tuesdays and Thursdays! 🖌️

Who: Kids ages 5-10
When: Tuesdays Jan. 27th-Mar. 3rd OR Thursdays Jan. 29th-Mar. 5th
Time: 6:15-7pm
Cost: $25 for 6 week session

To register: email [email protected]

*Each class limited to 10 participants!

01/08/2026

The holidays and new year snuck up on us so fast that we didn’t get to post our final kids arts & crafts session of 2025’s amazing creations! We welcomed some new faces, our ever faithful returners & even a pint sized artist that wanted to join her “sissys” some weeks! Stay tuned for information and dates for our first session of 2026! 🎨🖌️🖼️