PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Parks & Recreation today announced that the Philly Tree Plan is open for public comment. The Plan will provide a 10-year strategy for the equitable growth and care of Philadelphia’s urban forest. Draft goals, metrics, and recommendations can now be viewed on the Community Engagement Hub, along with a survey. The public comment period will be open through Wednesday December 1, 2021.

“Our dedicated arborists do all they can to protect the trees that give residents shade, clean our air, and keep our communities healthy,” said Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. “The Philly Tree plan is an opportunity to rethink the resources we give to tree care, and identify new ways to grow and protect our tree canopy in the neighborhoods that need it most.”

After engaging over 8,000 Philadelphians through a robust public input process that took place between April and August 2021, a draft of the Philly Tree Plan was created. Once again, public insight is sought to ensure all voices are reflected in the final plan to support those residents and institutions responsible for maintaining the City’s tree canopy. This feedback will provide critical direction for drafting the final version of the plan recommendations.
The Philly Tree Plan has several city wide goals including:
  • Reduce the burden of trees on residents.
  • Protect the existing and future urban forest.
  • Grow the urban forest equitably across the city.
  • Invest in people and communities.
  • Restore health in communities and natural systems.
  • Improve communication and coordination.
  • Advocate for communities to benefit from trees and urban forestry.
  • Celebrate and support the ways communities are engaging with trees.

“The Philly Tree Plan has big goals to address historic inequities while growing our tree canopy,” said Erica Smith Fichman, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Community Forestry Manager. “To do this, our recommendations must be rooted in residents’ everyday experiences with trees. This public feedback period is our final opportunity to engage residents on their views and ensure the final plan reflects the experience of those at the front lines of tree care and maintenance in our city.”

The public can provide feedback via The Philly Tree Plan Community Engagement Hub.  Survey questions and areas to provide feedback will be available for public engagement through midnight on Wednesday, December 1. The final plan is expected to be published in early 2022.

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Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) advances the prosperity of the city and the progress of its people through stewardship of nearly 10,200 acres of public land and waterways, and management of 500 recreation buildings, 166 miles of trail, and 250 playgrounds. PPR offers safe,  enjoyable  recreation, environmental and cultural programs and events throughout Philadelphia’s parks and recreation system. PPR promotes the well-being and growth of the city’s residents by connecting them to the natural world, to each other and to fun, physical and social opportunities. In 2017, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, set about implementing the park system’s first strategic plan: Our Path to 2020 and Beyond. As a result, PPR is undertaking a period of historic change, setting the department on a course to become a modern, equitable and exceptional parks and recreation system. Visit us at www.phila.gov/parksandrec, and follow @philaparkandrec on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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