The Commission on Parks and Recreation (PaRC)

Commission on Parks and Recreation Guides Consolidated Department

Your Commission on Parks and Recreation (PaRC) is eager to work with you to provide the very best ideas and recommendations to our elected and appointed officials concerning the protection, preservation and promotion of Philadelphia's historical, cultural, environmental and recreational resources and programs. 

The Parks and Recreation Commission was constituted in July 2009, following the passage of an amendment to the Home Rule Charter which transferred the powers and duties of the Fairmount Park Commission to a new Department of Parks and Recreation and reconstituted the Fairmount Park Commission as the Commission on Parks and Recreation (PaRC).  PaRC consists of 15 members, nine of whom are appointed by the Mayor from nominations made by City Council and six of whom serve ex officio, including the President of City Council and the Executive Director of the City Planning Commission or their designees, the Water Commissioner, the Street Commissioner, the Public Property Commissioner and the Parks and Recreation Commissioner.  Each highly qualified member, appointed at the beginning of each Mayoral term, has demonstrated skills and knowledge about park and recreation matters. 

PaRC's charge is to develop and adopt written, enforceable standards related to the use of the city's park and recreational land and facilities, make recommendations to enhance revenue opportunities, and assist in promoting parks and recreational facilities and programs.  Its goal is to increase the visibility and enormous opportunities that Philadelphia has to recapture its position as the nation's leader in the park and recreation field and sustain the legacy of William Penn's "greene countrie town." 

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Please click here to for PaRC Member Biographies

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Please click here for PaRC meeting notes

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PaRC Star: Francis McDonald, a long time member of the Sturgis Playground Advisory Council.  She has also been active in the Oaklane Neighbors Association.  Francis has played an important and significant role in the building of the new Sturgis Recreation facility.

Tony Langford and Bernie Brunswasser should be replaced by James Straw and Howard Neukrug, respectively. 

Great news!  Mayor Nutter has appointed our newest Commissioner to fill the spot formerly occupied by Tony Langford James Straw.  Jim applied to serve on the new Commission when it was created and in doing so, wrote:

"My professional experience, for the past 35 years, has focused on historic and architectural preservation, and planning and urban design related to neighborhood revitalization, sustainable development, and cultural tourism.  My volunteer experience has focused on giving back to the community mostly through arts and cultural organizations and institutions."

Jim and his firm, Kise Straw & Kolodner, have been responsible for many award winning projects, including the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, the Johnson House and the Please Touch Museum.  He was principal in charge for each of these, and was also involved in the comprehensive assessment of Fairmount Park?s historic homes and the restoration of Woodford Mansion in 1975.  Jim has been serving on our Revenue Enhancement Committee and I will forward a current, more comprehensive bio shortly.  But suffice it to say, we are thrilled to have someone of Jim's stature and experience serving as part of our Commission.  Welcome!!

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, September 21st at 6PM at the Lauretha Vaird Boys & Girls Club in Tacony 4800 Whitaker Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19124 

This is the first of Commission meetings to be held in a local community.  The Commission is anxious to hear from communities all over the City as it relates to Parks and Recreation.  We look forward to you joining us.  Look for our schedule of meetings for the remainder of 2011.

February 17, 2011

Due to a program at the Library expected to attract overflow audiences, the March 16th meeting will be moved to the One Parkway Building, 1515 Arch St. 19102, Room 18-029 (The Commission Meeting room). The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM.

January 10, 2011

Click here for information on the new PaRC Stars programs. Or if you would like to nominate

a volunteer who you think deserves to be recognized as a PaRC Star by the Parks and Recreation Commission, you may download the nomination form here.

November 26, 2010

Check out the recent Penn Praxis article, "Getting to Better Know the Parks & Rec System" here: 

http://planphilly.com/getting-better-know-parks-rec-system

Many thanks to those who attended last evening's public hearing on our open space protection ordinance.  For those who were unable to attend, you can find a summary article here.

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Commission Appoints Committees to Focus on Specific Issues Facing Parks and Recreation Department

The Commission on Parks and Recreation has established three working committees, headed by commission members and including other experienced and skilled City residents who are active in their local park and/or recreation facility. The committees are:

-        Land Use

-        Branding and Communications

-        Revenue Enhancement

The committees will report on their progress to the full commission at regularly scheduled meetings.

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Commission Members Testify At City Council Budget Hearings

Commission members testified during recent Philadelphia City Council budget hearings. To read their testimony, please click here.

Commission Seeks Input from Residents and Interested Citizens

The Commission on Parks and Recreation wants to hear from you! If you have questions, concerns and comments, submit your remarks via email: parksandreccommission@phila.gov

The Commission holds six public meetings a year, on the third Wednesday of every other month.  

For exact time and location of future meetings, check the "Upcoming Events" section of the Philadelphia Parks Alliance website at: www.philaparks.org