City Council committee approves $2.6m hike in Parks and Recreation funding

A City Council committee this afternoon gave preliminary approval to legislation that would, in a rare mid-year budget adjustment, give an extra $2.675 million to the city Department of Parks and Recreation.

“This is exactly the kind of investment that is critical to the health and safety of children and families in every neighborhood – as well as to Philadelphia’s future revitalization, economic development, environmental sustainability and competitiveness,” Parks Alliance Executive Director Lauren Bornfriend said in a statement. “We applaud those Council members who have stuck with this issue and are making good on their commitment to Parks and Recreation.”

Parks Alliance members have been fighting for more funding since this spring’s budget negotiations, sending over 1,600 letters to the mayor and city Council, testifying at every neighborhood budget hearing and holding multiple press conferences.

The ordinance, which proposes transferring the money from the city’s general fund to the department, will go up for a first reading at City Council’s session on Thursday.