Philadelphia has some restrictions in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.

So what does this mean for Parks & Rec sites?

1) While some things are not allowed now (see below), you can still:

• Take your children to one of our playgrounds.
• Enjoy a quiet stroll or rest on a bench in one of our parks.
• Hike on one of our trails.
• Participate in outdoor recreational sports.
• Bike or run along MLK Drive in West Fairmount Park.
• Support local agriculture at farmers’ markets held at Parks & Rec sites.
• Use the Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center.
• Rely on Access Centers as a safe place for children to complete their virtual school day. Learn more about the program and register. 

• Private events (weddings, picnics).
• Community events.
• Sports or group recreation.

• Parks & Rec will accept Media Permit applications for consideration. Download a media permit application on our permit applications page.

Please read the A to Z guide below for more information.

PARKS & REC: A to Z

Athletic fields: OPEN

• Fields are open for individual and household use.
• No group sports—competitive or non-competitive—are allowed at this time.
• Parks & Rec is not taking permit applications for use of baseball and athletics fields at this time.

• Many Parks & Rec buildings and bathrooms remain closed to the public. This includes:
  • Recreation centers.
  • Older adult centers – open for grab-and-go meals only.
  • Environmental centers.

Courts and fields: OPEN

• Outdoor courts are open, and group sports and games are allowed.
• No tournaments of 3 or more teams are permitted.
• Players must: 
  • Wear masks at all times.
  • Practice skills and drills only.
  • Keep six feet apart.
  • Wash or sanitize hands before and after play.

Community Gardens: OPEN

• Parks & Rec’s community gardens may continue to operate.
• Read the COVID-19 health and safety recommendations for gardens.

Events: SUSPENDED

• All publicly advertised events at Parks & Rec sites are suspended until further notice. 

Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center: OPEN

• The Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center is open for business. All visitors must:

  • Wear masks. Visitors without masks will be denied service.
  • Bring their own shovel if picking up from the self-serve piles.
• Learn how to dispose of organic material.
• Learn how to get organic material.

Farmer’s markets: OPEN

• Farmers Markets at Parks & Rec sites may continue to operate following COVID-19 protocols.

Food concessions: OPEN

• Many of our popular food concessions are open for pick up, take out, and limited outdoor dining.
• All operations follow public health guidance.

Ice Rinks

• Ice rinks will re-open on a rolling basis starting January 25. Public skate resumes February 1.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive: OPEN TO BIKES & PEDESTRIANS ONLY

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive in West Fairmount Park remains closed to vehicular traffic:
  • The drive is closed from the East Falls Bridge to Eakins Oval.
  • This 24-hour-a-day closure provides more space for trail users to practice social distancing.

Older Adult Centers: OPEN (meal distribution only)

• Parks & Rec’s six older adult centers are currently closed to the public.
• These sites are open for grab-and-go meals.

Parks: OPEN

• Parks & Rec’s parks remain open.
• Please carry out what you carry in.
• Be sure to follow the posted rules and regulations.

• All playgrounds at Parks & Rec sites are open.
• Be sure to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol after use.

Sports: OPEN

• Sports and recreational activities are allowed at Parks & Rec sites, with some important exceptions.
• Outdoor sports
  • Games permitted for all sports. 
  • Participation is limited to 10 people per 1,000 square feet. 
    • Basketball courts are typically 4,700 sq ft.
    • Athletics fields are typically 48,000 sq ft.

• Indoor Sports
  • High contact sports
    • Skills and drills only.
    • No games.
    • Includes: basketball, soccer, volleyball, and wrestling. 
    • 10 participant limit.
  • Low and medium contact sports.
    • Games and leagues permitted. 
    • Includes: tumbling and gymnastics.
    • 25 participant limit in gyms.
  • Read our permitting guidelines. 

Trails: OPEN

• Parks & Rec’s trails are open. Please follow these guidelines:
  • Keep six feet of space between you and other trail users.
  • Be sure to wear a mask when you are less than six feet from others.
  • Biking or running? Please signal from behind to give all trail users space. 
• Explore a new trail! Use our trails web map.
• Read our trail regulations.