Launched in 1985, this year marks the 40th anniversary of Park and Recreation Month!

Every July, communities across the United States celebrate Park and Recreation Month — a time to honor the people and places that make our neighborhoods healthier, safer, and more connected. For 40 years, Park and Recreation Month has lifted up the more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals — plus thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers — who help care for our country’s local, state, and community parks.

Here in Philadelphia, our parks and recreation system is one of the largest in the nation. Each year, our public parks, trails, playgrounds, pools, and recreation centers welcome millions of visitors. These spaces give residents places to play, exercise, gather, and relax — all while helping keep our city greener, healthier, and stronger.

This year’s national theme, Build Together, Play Together, reminds us that parks and recreation services are more than just spaces — they’re community cornerstones. Together, we build and maintain accessible, inclusive, and sustainable spaces that deliver real benefits for families, neighbors, and neighborhoods.

Park and Recreation Month is also a time to celebrate the programs that help communities thrive. From youth sports leagues and after-school activities to nature walks, summer camps, and cultural events, our city’s recreation centers and parks create countless opportunities for residents of all ages to connect, grow, and enjoy meaningful experiences.

Elisa Ruse-Esposito, Park Stewardship Administrator, shared her appreciation9 for our dedicated Park Friends Groups and volunteers:  “Volunteers have always been a vital part of our Parks & Rec family. Your dedication is the foundation of everything we do, and during the challenging times, your hard work and support mean more than ever. Thank you for showing up for Philly.”

Through the hard work of park and recreation professionals, Philadelphia continues to expand green spaces, plant more trees, maintain safe playgrounds, and offer affordable programming that enriches lives. Each playground swing, basketball court, community garden, and hiking trail is a testament to what we can do when we invest in our shared spaces and come together to care for them.

This July, we invite everyone to celebrate by getting outside, enjoying your local park or recreation center, and sharing what these spaces mean to you. Whether you’re attending a free community event, cooling off at a city pool, tending a community garden, or playing with your family at a local playground — take a moment to appreciate the people and places that make it all possible.

Join the national conversation and show how parks and recreation help your community Build Together, Play Together by using #BuildTogetherPlayTogether in your posts and photos.

Together, we can honor our park and recreation professionals, support our union workers, and continue building a stronger, greener Philadelphia — for everyone.