Episode 13: Sara Hirschler, Making a difference for the world

What does it take to transform a forgotten neighborhood park into an asset for the community? How do you figure out what you’re drawn to, and then become a part of that industry? Sara Hirschler is the Marketing & Membership Manager at Fairmount Park Conservancy, a non-profit in Philadelphia. Sara played a significant role in transforming Clemente Park & Playground into a welcoming space where the community wants to gather.

The Fairmount Park Conservancy is an organization I have admired for years. Since Sara started working there in 2013, when there were only 7 employees, the team has more than doubled. They even have a couple new opportunities open. Check them out at https://myphillypark.org/who-we-are/opportunities/!

Something I learned from my conversation with Sara is that commitment to your purpose, or something that draws you in, can lead to incredible experiences. Sara’s story about Clemente Park & Playground, the bootstrapping improvements she led, remind me that what you’re passionate about doesn’t have to be your job. However, if you do it with commitment and you do it well it certainly can be! 

A few references you may be interested in reading more about:

Fairmount Park Conservancy: https://myphillypark.org/10-mile Broad Street Run training route mapped by Fairmount Park Conservancy in 2020, and the reason I contacted Sara: https://myphillypark.org/we-mapped-a-10-mile-route-through-fairmount-park-for-the-2020-broad-street-run/Local parks, Clemente Park & Playground and Liberty LandsLandmark self expression and leadership program: https://www.landmarkworldwide.com/Isa Does It, by Isa Chandra Moskowitz; that and more at https://www.theppk.com/The Oh She Glows Cookbook, by Angela Liddon: https://ohsheglows.com/the-book/

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