Philadelphia’s Park Friends Network turned 30 this year!
Since 1993, the Park Friends Network has grown from four groups to more than 140! Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy formed the network. The goal was to engage neighbors and improve city parks. Since then, the Network has made an impressive impact on the Philly’s parks.
Over three decades, Park Friends Groups have:
- Cleaned hundreds of green spaces.
- Planted thousands of trees.
- Removed invasive species.
- Improved forests, meadows, and wetlands.
Much positive change has been made—and there’s always room for more volunteers!
Below you’ll find information about the Network, the work it does, and how you can join or form a group.
What is the Park Friends Network?
Park Friends Network groups are community-run organizations. These groups work to make our parks vibrant, inviting, and active public spaces. This helps strengthen the surrounding communities and the city as a whole.
The are more than 140 groups like these in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy help coordinate these groups. We call this partnership the Park Friends Network.
What do Park Friends Groups actually do?
Park Friends Groups register with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation each year. They work together to:
- Organize clean-ups and volunteer workdays.
- Plan community events.
- Raise funds for park improvements.
- Advocate for Philadelphia’s public park system.
How to join a Park Friends Group
Park Friends Groups are always looking for new members and volunteers! These groups host volunteer workdays and fun activities.
You can view an interactive map and list of Friends groups on Parks & Rec’s Park Friends Group webpage. This page features information about Friends groups. Highlights include:
- An interactive map of Park Friends Groups where you can:
- Select a location dot to view a Park Friends Group and get their location and contact information.
- Enter an address into the search bar to find a Friends group near you.
- A searchable list of groups for those who prefer a list instead of a map.
Park Friends Group map as displayed on phila.gov.
Can’t find a Park Friends Group at your local park?
Learn how to start one! Download the Philadelphia Park Friends Group Toolkit. Then contact the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Stewardship office. You can email them at PPRstewardship@phila.gov or call (215) 683-3640.
