Our Staff

Michael Karkowski joined the Fairmount Park Conservancy team in January 2025. In his role as Landscape Manager, Michael is responsible for supervising Landscape Field Coordination staff and assessing maintenance work performed on ecological restoration and horticultural landscape projects executed by the Conservancy.

Michael graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Horticulture and Design and is an ISA Certified Arborist. Prior to joining the Conservancy, Michael spent almost 20 years managing Tyler Arboretum, a 650-acre public garden in the suburbs of Philadelphia. His work encompassed managing capital projects, historic collections and trees, natural areas and ecology projects, which included the first phases of a Serpentine Barren Restoration Project and large-scale Emerald Ash Borer impacted ash removal project.

Michael enjoys exploring Pennsylvania State Parks, camping, hiking, biking and kayaking with his family. When not exploring the parklands, he stays busy managing the family apiary in Delaware County. Michael’s favorite Philadelphia Park is FDR, it was his first exposure to the impressive Philadelphia Park System after moving to the area.