The camp first contacted the club about membership after the New Frankford Community Y in the Frankford section of the city - where the children used to swim - closed last month because of lack of money. The club is about a 20-minute drive from the camp's location at Devereaux and Summerdale Avenues in Northeast Philadelphia.Pools are closing all over the place for lack of funds. And if anyone's thinking help is on the way, think again:Looking to strike fear and compliance in the hearts of local officials, Vice President Joe Biden warns that if they use money from the economic stimulus fund to build what he regards as the wrong kind of projects, “I’ll show up in your city and say this was a stupid idea.”
“No swimming pools!” he implored. “No tennis courts!” he begged. “No golf courses!” he pleaded. “No Frisbee parks!” he exhorted.
One of the many nice things about the Plattsburgh area is the attention paid to recreation, especially for kids. As I write this on a splendid summer day, there's a 3-on-3 kids basketball tournament in the parking lot at the rec center across from my house, people jogging and cycling on the neighboring parade grounds and bike path, and a bike-helmet giveaway scheduled for tomorrow at the community-sponsored sailing regatta. The schools offer solid sports programs, and not just for elite kids. People often marvel at the low crime rate here, even with demographics that suggest it should be far higher. I think the good schools and youth recreation opportunities have a lot to do with the lack of crime, and the general sense of public safety.
