Love Your Park Week offers over 100 ways to help and explore Philly parks

It’s that time of year again to show some endearment to the city and its green spaces through a community effort with Philly’s Love Your Park Week.

Taking place from May 11 to 19, this annual initiative prepares Philadelphia’s parks for the busy spring and summer ahead with over 100 different opportunities for volunteering. 

“Love Your Park Week is a wonderful opportunity to connect with neighbors and nature,” said Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson in a statement. “Philadelphia’s parks give us a place to play, connect, relax, and reflect – and they deserve our love in return. I thank all of the Park Friends Groups and volunteers for their dedication and effort caring for our neighborhood parks.”

Organized by partners Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy, and the Park Friends Network, the different events will focus on planting flowers, tending trees, and removing litter as needed. 

As a release notes, tools will be provided and park lovers of all ages are welcome to participate with registration now open online at loveyourparkweek.org. The occasion however will also feature different ways to explore the parks as well with movie nights, bird watching and other events being offered. 

The signature event of Love Your Park Week will kick everything off this Saturday, May 11, in South Philadelphia’s Stinger Square (3200 Dickinson St.) From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., locals can plant trees and remove litter, then enjoy live music from a DJ,  free food, activities for kids, and a speaking program featuring city and conservancy officials, as well as community partners.

Other site cleanups will be happening throughout the week at venues like Lemon Hill (May 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Suffolk Park (May 15, 4:30 to 7 p.m.), Malcolm X Park (May 18, 10 a.m. to noon), Pop’s Park (May 18, 10 a.m. to noon), Cresheim Park Drive (May 18, 9 a.m. to noon) and more with a full list of volunteer opportunities available online.

Other free (or low-cost) events for the occasion span a Guided Bike Tour of East Fairmount Park (May 11, 1:30 to 4 p.m.), Yoga in the Park (May 12, 10 to 11 a.m. at Lemon Hill), Friday Flicks at the Fountain (May 17, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. in West Fairmount Park), a Birdtour with the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club (May 18, 8 to 10 a.m. at The Discovery Center),  Canoe & Conservation (May 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. also at The Discovery Center) and much more. Full details for all events are also held online. 

“Love Your Park Week showcases Philadelphia’s incredible parks and the civic spirit of our city’s residents,” said Maura McCarthy, CEO of Fairmount Park Conservancy in a statement.

“We are inspired by the Park Friends Groups that tend to their neighborhood parks, gardens, playgrounds, and trails so that everyone can enjoy these unique public spaces. Love Your Park Week is an easy and fun way for residents to connect with their local group, meet neighbors and fellow park users, and learn about volunteer opportunities throughout the year.”

Love Your Park Week events are led by Park Friends volunteer groups across Philadelphia, the release finishes. The Park Friends Network, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, comprises over 140 community-run Park Friends Groups that work together to make the city’s public parks vibrant, inviting, and active public spaces. The Network offers opportunities for Philadelphians of all ages and backgrounds to make a meaningful difference in their communities. Love Your Park Week is a perfect example of just that. 

To find out more information on Love Your Park Week and other Park Friends events, visit loveyourpark.org