Union Trades Deliver Safer Access for Children at R.W. Brown Boys and Girls Club
On September 11, union trades, community partners, and local leaders gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting of a new accessibility ramp at the R.W. Brown Recreation Center Boys & Girls Club in North Philadelphia. The project provides children with a safe, direct path from the center to the parking lot play area—replacing what had long been a dangerous or inconvenient walk.
Previously, children had to either walk three blocks around the building or attempt to navigate a steep grassy hill where many slipped and were injured. Thanks to the leadership of Joe Lockley of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and the collaboration of several building trades, the center now has a lasting solution.
The new ramp ensures safe access for the hundreds of children who rely on the rec center each day. Pennsylvania State Senator Sharif Street and Philadelphia City Councilmember James Harrity generously covered the cost of materials.
The work was made possible through contributions from:
- Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
- EC Fence & Iron Works, Inc., working with Iron Workers Local 401, donated, fabricated, and installed the railings to ensure long-term safety and durability.
- Cement Masons Local 592 poured and finished the ramp
- PGW Gas Workers Local Union 686 provided trenching, equipment, manpower, and stone to support the build.
