Philly Park system expands curfew hours

From December 1 and continuing through March 31, 2020, the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation have expanded their curfew hours. The parks will be closed during these times to protect the public while deer control activities are taking place. 

The deer control activities have been conducted in Philly parks since 1999, Metro reports.

The program is facilitated by the US Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services with the parks and recreation staff, to help keep the deer population stable throughout the city. The Philly department of parks and recs protects overs 10,200 acres of public land and waterways.

In previous years, the US Department of Agriculture has used wildlife biologists as shooters. It was reported that in the past they used high-powered rifles to shoot the deer. 

During the 2018 annual deer management program, Metro reports that 324 deer were removed between December and April, which allowed for over 7,000 pounds of venison to be donated to local food banks. 

According to Metro, here’s how many deers were removed from each park: 63 from West/East Fairmount Park, 82 from Wissahickon Valley, 32 from Cobbs Creek Park, 17 from Tacony Creek Park, 42 from FDR Park and 88 from Pennypack Park. 

Below is a list of this year’s park undergoing deer control activities. Trails, parking lots and other park spots will be closed. They will be closed to all bicyclists, equestrians, motorists and pedestrians. 

The following parks will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.: 

•    Wissahickon Valley

•    East and West Fairmount Park

•    Cobbs Creek Park

•    Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park

•    Tacony Creek Park

•    Poquessing Creek Park

•     Bartram’s Garden

•     Pennypack Park