But builders never broke ground. But the decision to hold off on the projects didn't sit well with City Councilman Michael Nutter, who pressed Mifflin during this year's city budget hearings about whether the park might not stand to lose part of its grant. Mifflin said he never approached city budget officials looking for the salary money, in either the Street or Rendell administrations. We never asked for those positions. That price escalation, combined with a new park business plan that put a price tag on hiring staff, made the Park Commission put on the brakes - and the William Penn Foundation hasn't quarreled with the decision.
Environmental education happens in a lot of different ways.
Mifflin said the park has expanded environmental programs under the grant by stationing two additional staff members each at the existing Andorra and Pennypack Park environmental centers, bringing each up to a full three-member staff. From there, environmental educators go out to conduct programs in recreation centers and community centers, he said. Park officials hope to keep expanding the program, partly with trained volunteers. He couldn't promise Nutter that none of the remaining money would have to be handed back to the foundation - but both park and foundation officials say they're talking about ways for the park to spend the money earmarked for education centers. One possibility, said Mifflin, is using some of the foundation money for restoring park trails, a high priority with park officials.