What we do
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation connects the city’s residents to the natural world, to each other, and to fun physical and social opportunities. We manage historically significant Philadelphia events and special venues, and we work with communities and organizations, leading capital projects and introducing creative programming.
Philadelphia’s large, diverse parks and recreation system provides something for everyone. Listed below are some of facilities and programs we’re responsible for:
- 300+ neighborhood parks, rec centers, and playgrounds
- 272 miles of trails and 40 historic sites
- 60 community gardens, farms, and orchards
- 3 environmental education centers
- 600+ baseball, softball, football, and soccer fields
- 74 pools
- 400+ basketball and 200+ tennis courts
- 5 ice skating rinks
- 6 golf courses
- 25 public computer centers
Connect
| Address |
1515 Arch Street
10th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
|---|---|
|
parksandrecreation |
|
|
Phone:
(215) 683-3600
|
|
| Social |
Announcements
Memorial Day closures
City of Philadelphia offices, including Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, will be closed on Monday, May 28 in observance of Memorial Day. This includes recreation centers, environmental centers, and older adult centers.
Rebuild announces first project to launch, more to come
On May 16, Mayor Jim Kenney announced Vare Recreation Center as the first project to receive investment from Rebuilding Community Infrastructure (Rebuild), the City’s initiative to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in parks, recreation centers, and libraries across Philadelphia.
Vare serves the Grays Ferry and Point Breeze neighborhoods in South Philadelphia and is home to a variety of beloved neighborhood activities, including popular basketball and gymnastics programs. The center was forced to close in October 2017 after it was deemed unsafe by structural engineers hired by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. On December 4, 2017, the first floor of Vare was re-opened after temporary improvements were made to secure the building. However, the second floor remains closed and Vare will likely need to be shut down again within the next year if more permanent improvements are not made.
With Wednesday’s announcement, the City confirmed that Rebuild will fund a new master plan for Vare, which is expected to launch later this year. The process will include a robust community engagement process so neighbors can help shape what the new site will look like.
Read the full press release about the May 16 Rebuild announcement.
