Designating the picnic area located within the Twenty-ninth street and Chalmers avenue recreation fields and facility as the "Van R. Thomas Memorial Picnic Area."

WHEREAS, Mr. Van R. Thomas was a dedicated citizen of the City of Philadelphia serving on may organizations and fighting for many causes, including the Citizens Committee for Justice, the Anti-Graffiti Network, the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Advisory Council and the Residents Coalition; and

WHEREAS, Van Thomas was very active in his community and served as a member of the North Penn Civic Association for twenty years, and was serving as its President at the time of his death; and

WHEREAS, Van Thomas helped shape and implement the vision for an exciting recreation project at the Twenty-ninth and Chalmers site; and

WHEREAS, Van Thomas was instrumental in providing the initial organized recreation activities on the Twenty-ninth and Chalmers site, and helped keep the area clean, safe and inviting for neighborhood youth and adults; and

WHEREAS, It is most fitting that a part of this recreational space be named in his honor as a testament to Van's vision and dedication to this City and particularly to our youth; now therefore

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. The picnic area located within the Twenty-ninth street and Chalmers avenue recreation fields and facility is designated and shall be named the "Van R. Thomas Picnic Area."

SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately.

End