Every year, locals have the chance to show some devotion to Philly's green spaces with the annual Love Your Park Weekend.
More than 100 local park volunteer groups will host different clean-ups across the city from Nov. 14 to 16, and sign-ups are live now for those who want a hand in beautifying Philadelphia's outdoor venues.
“One of the best ways to show love for your community is to Love Your Park,” says Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson.
“Our parks are there for us every day of the year, offering access to nature, space for activity and exploration, and opportunities to connect with one another," Slawson continued. "Love Your Park Fall Weekend is an annual opportunity to give back as a city and prepare our parks for the year ahead. We’re so grateful for the Park Friends groups advocating and caring for parks year-round, and proud to partner with them in this citywide effort.”
Those who choose to suit up for this year's Love Your Park Week will get down and dirty planting and caring for trees, collecting leaves, and removing litter. Tools and gloves will be provided with support from Keep PA Beautiful, and any age group is welcome to join in by registering online.
Love Your Park Weekend is organized by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy, and the Park Friends Network. The latter, founded in 1993, is made up of 140 community-run groups that work together on year-round activations. This weekend specifically is meant to provide opportunities for Philadelphians of all ages and backgrounds to make a meaningful difference in their communities.
This year’s signature Love Your Park Weekend event will take place at Gorgas Park in Roxborough on Saturday, Nov. 15. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., volunteers will work outside to clean and care for the space, and then celebrate with a DJ, activities for kids, and a speaking program featuring city and Conservancy officials, as well as community partners.
Other opportunities happening throughout the week include a clean-up at Powers Park (Nov. 14, 8:30 a.m.), Dickinson Square Park (Nov. 14, 8:30 a.m.), Malcolm X Park (Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m.), Harrowgate Park (Nov. 15, 10 a.m.), Cobbs Creek Park (Nov. 15, 10 a.m.), Penn Treaty Park (Nov. 15, 10 a.m.) and plenty of others (a full schedule can be found online). Overall, locals will have opportunities in virtually any part of the city to do some good.
“Love Your Park Weekend is Philadelphia at its best,” said Tony Sorrentino, CEO of the Fairmount Park Conservancy. “It’s a citywide celebration of our public spaces — and of the people who bring them to life. Our parks are where civic pride and community spirit meet. Only in Philadelphia do you find such a remarkable network of Park Friends groups and volunteers who show up, season after season, to care for their local parks with genuine love and commitment.
"This weekend is about the opportunity to meet neighbors and get outside into the city we share. You don’t need any special skills or tools. Just come with a little energy and an appreciation for what our parks mean to Philadelphia.”
To register and learn more about Philadelphia’s fall Love Your Park Weekend, visit loveyourpark.org
