SCH Academy Receives Grant to 'Restore The Rec' and Watershed Stewardship

SCH was awarded a $650,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation to support major stormwater management enhancements as part of its Restore The Rec project, a signature initiative within SCH’s 10-year campus master plan. This effort will mitigate runoff into the Wissahickon watershed while revitalizing the school’s historic livery as a hub for education and community engagement.

The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, is committed to expanding access to resources and opportunities that promote a more vital and just city and region for all. 

Upon learning of this prestigious grant, Head of School Dr. Steve Druggan stated, “In alignment with the William Penn Foundation’s mission, this project leverages heritage, ecology, and education to create lasting, equitable access to high-quality experiences for children, youth, and families.” He adds,  “It represents our shared belief that education and stewardship go hand in hand.”

Constructed in 1884 as a livery to accommodate the horses of the guests of the Wissahickon Inn, the Rec has served many roles across its 140-year history—from badminton club to indoor tennis and baseball practice space to home to SCH drama productions. Now, through careful preservation and adaptive reuse, SCH will restore the building’s historic character while equipping it for 21st-century learning and performance, benefitting both the school and the greater Northwest Philadelphia region.

In addition to the restoration of the Rec, the project incorporates critical sustainable stormwater management systems, including two rain gardens, erosion control measures, and native plantings designed to mitigate runoff into the Wissahickon watershed. These systems will double as a living laboratory for students, aligning with SCH’s longstanding commitment to experiential and environmental learning.

Situated at the convergence of West Springfield Avenue and Valley Green Road, runoff from these steep, infrastructure-limited roads contributes to erosion and water-quality issues affecting the Wissahickon Creek and, ultimately, the Schuylkill River.

The timing of the project aligns with the Philadelphia Streets Department’s Cherokee Street Bridge repairs and FOW’s Valley Green Run Restoration and Pedestrian Bridge Project, creating a rare opportunity to address runoff comprehensively and collaboratively. Together, these efforts will strengthen watershed resilience, protect habitat, and enhance the visitor experience throughout the Wissahickon Valley Park.

As the coordinating Registered Community Organization (RCO),  the Chestnut Hill Community Association President, Laura Lucas, shared, “Restore The Rec is more than a restoration; it’s a strategic investment in people, place, and possibility, serving as a replicable model for other communities.”

Once restored, the Rec will host year-round programs that engage children, families, and community members across Northwest Philadelphia. Its flexible spaces will support performances, workshops, and other educational initiatives that reflect SCH’s integrated vision for learning and community impact.

For more than a decade, SCH has pursued campus projects that unite historic preservation, sustainability, and educational enrichment across its 62-acre campus bordering Fairmount Park and the Wissahickon Valley. Restore The Rec continues this legacy—reimagining a beloved historic structure as a model for innovation and environmental responsibility.