Spring is here and volunteer registration is officially open for Love Your Park Week 2024. From May 11 to May 19, more than 100 Philly parks need help planting flower bulbs, tending trees, collecting leaves for compost, and preparing for the busy summer season.

Here’s everything you need to know about the event: 

 

What is Love Your Park? 

Each spring and fall, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy, and Park Friends Groups across the city team up and host volunteer events for Love Your Park. Aimed at beautification, conservation, and fostering a sense of belonging among residents, each park location features different volunteer activities. The spring events will focus on park clean-ups as well as raking leaves, tending trees, and preparing for the busy spring and summer seasons. 

Love Your Park events are powered by Park Friends across Philadelphia. The Park Friends Network comprises over 140 community-run Park Friends Groups that work together to make our public parks vibrant, inviting, and active public spaces. The Network offers opportunities for Philadelphians of all ages and backgrounds to make a meaningful difference in their communities, and Love Your Park volunteer events are a great way to meet your local group and learn more about how to get involved!

Love Your Park Week isn’t just about getting your hands dirty, it’s also a time to celebrate and enjoy Philadelphia’s natural beauty. Throughout the week, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy, and partners also host free recreational activities in the parks. Volunteer groups and other park institutions are encouraged to do the same, making Love Your Park Week a true celebration of Philly’s parks. 

 

Where is Love Your Park and how do I sign up? 

Over 100 parks across the city host volunteer events, so there are many opportunities to get involved! 

Check the list of all the participating parks, find the park you want to volunteer at, and then click the button to register. 

This year’s spring signature site will be Stinger Square in South Philadelphia on Saturday, May 11.

 

Why volunteer at Philly parks?

Parks in Philadelphia need our help. Picking up debris and trash from the parks helps the current state of our green spaces and local drinking water, and planting trees improves the future state of Philly parks. Trees are natural air purifiers and absorb carbon dioxide in our environment. 

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your local community and make a difference. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or someone who’s never participated in a community event before, there’s a place for you at Love Your Park Week. 

 

What if I can’t attend but want to help?

You’ll be missed, but don’t fret! 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 weekly 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, Instagram, and Twitter.

Love Your Park is made possible with the support of the Knight Foundation, PECO, and TD Bank 

Photography by Albert Yee