It’s that time of year again! Spring has arrived, and it’s time to get outside and give your local park some love. Volunteer registration is open for Love Your Park Week 2026, happening May 9 to 17.
Over 100 Philadelphia parks will host clean-up and care days where volunteers can rake leaves, plant flowers, tend trees, and help get parks ready for the busy summer season.
What is Love Your Park Week?
Every spring, Park Friends groups across the city come together for a week-long series of volunteer events in public parks. Activities vary by location and can include litter removal, mulching, planting, and clearing invasive plants. These efforts keep parks healthy, vibrant, and welcoming for everyone.
Love Your Park Week is also an invitation to explore and celebrate parks through free and low cost events held around the city hosted by the City of Philadelphia, Fairmount Park Conservancy, and several partners.
Love Your Park is a joint program of Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and the Park Friends Network, made possible with the support of TD Bank, PECO, Greenberg Traurig, and Independence Blue Cross.
Where can I volunteer and how do I sign up?
Over 100 parks are participating this spring! Find a full map and list of events on loveyourpark.org. You can also view projects by date to fit your schedule. Be sure to register in advance, as some events have limited space.
Our signature site event for this year’s Love Your Park Week is Fotterall Square Park in North Philadelphia on Saturday, May 16.
Who are the Park Friends?
There are 140 Park Friends groups in Philadelphia, led by volunteers who work with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy to care for their local park and build community connections through events and outreach. Many Friends Groups host outdoor movie nights, community days, park clean-ups and other special events throughout the year.
Love Your Park Week is a great way to meet your local Friends Group and get involved! You can find a full list of Friends Groups on loveyourpark.org.
What can volunteers expect?
Volunteer tasks vary by park. Some sites need leaf-raking, while others have gardens that require seasonal care. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Tools and gloves will be provided—no need to bring your own!
You’ll also have the chance to work alongside fellow park enthusiasts, meet neighbors, and enjoy the outdoors. While you’re working hard to care for your park, we hope you will also take time to have some fun and make new friends! Here’s what volunteers shared from last year:
- “I had so much fun connecting with my neighbors and building up our community.”
- “I feel accomplished. I feel great that I have a chance to help my community. I will find another opportunity to help in the future.”
- “The event was well run with options given to match your skills and interest.”
- “Lots of fun, friendly folk, and great to contribute to the maintenance of our local environment.”
- “Fun and healing. It felt great to be in the city touching the earth and meeting new people. Looking forward to seeing the results in the spring.”
- “This experience was beautiful. My children and I enjoyed every moment of it from start to finish.”
What if I can’t attend but want to help?
There are opportunities to support Philly parks year-round:
- Across the city, over 140 amazing Park Friends Groups host volunteer clean-ups and events throughout the year.
- Fairmount Park Conservancy also hosts open volunteer work days throughout the year.
- Show your support by donating to Fairmount Park Conservancy. Funds will support programs and projects like Love Your Park throughout Philly’s park system.
For regular updates, sign up for our email newsletter and follow Fairmount Park Conservancy on social media at @myphillypark on Facebook and Instagram.
Love Your Park is made possible with the support of TD Bank, PECO, Greenberg Traurig, and Independence Blue Cross.
Photography by Albert Yee
