Philadelphia began the green phase of reopening in early July. COVID-19 is not gone, so we must reopen with care. Read more about our progress on the Reopening With Care site.

Here’s what the reopening guidance means for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation services and sites.

What’s open: A to Z

Athletic fields

  • Parks & Rec is taking permit applications for use of baseball and athletics fields:
    • Games and spectators are not allowed.
    • For now, indoor gym permits will not be issued.

Basketball courts

  • Games are not allowed on Parks & Rec’s outdoor basketball courts.
  • Court occupancy cannot exceed a total of 25 people. This includes participants and spectators.
  • Players must:
    • Wear masks at all times.
    • Practice skills and drills only.
    • Keep six feet apart.
    • Wash or sanitize hands before and after play.

Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center

Food Concessions

  • Our popular food concessions are open for pick up, take out, and outdoor dining.
  • All operations follow public health guidance.

Golf courses & driving ranges

Older Adult Centers

  • Parks & Rec’s six older adult centers are currently closed to the public.
  • In the event of a heat health emergency, these centers will operate as cooling sites Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Parks

Parks on Tap

Picnic permits

  • Parks & Rec is issuing permits for picnics, weddings, recreational activities, and sports. Permits require that:
    • Events must be held outdoors.
    • Guests are limited to 50 or fewer and must pre-register.
    • Organizers must follow health guidelines and other rules.
  • For more information, read our blog post on permit updates.

Playgrounds

  • All playgrounds at Parks & Rec sites are open.
  • Be sure to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol after use.

Sports

  • Non-competitive team sports can resume. They must follow these guidelines:
    • Players may practice and take part in skills-building activities only.
    • Players should wear a mask or keep at least 6 feet apart.
    • Competitive games are not allowed.
    • Spectators are limited to 25 or fewer people.
  • Permits:
    • Parks & Rec is issuing permits for use of baseball and athletics fields. The permits require:
      • Outdoor group sports only.
      • Player and spectator limits.
      • Adherence to health guidelines.
    • For more information, read our blog post on permit updates.
    • For now, indoor gym permits will not be issued.

Spraygrounds

Trails

  • Parks & Rec’s trails are open. Please follow these guidelines:
    • Keep six feet of space between you and other trail users.
    • Be sure to wear a mask when you are less than six feet from others.
  • Explore a new trail! Use our trails web map.
  • Read our trail regulations.

What’s closed, canceled, or prohibited

Buildings and bathrooms

Events

  • Most Parks & Rec events and programs are canceled until further notice.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive

  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive in West Fairmount Park remains closed to vehicular traffic:
    • The drive is closed from the East Falls Bridge to Eakins Oval.
    • This 24-hour-a-day closure provides more space for trail users to practice social distancing.

Pools

Help keep our parks clean!

Parks & Rec continues our maintenance operations such as trash pickup, landscaping, and mowing. Due to COVID-related budget restrictions, these will occur with less frequency.
Do your part to help keep our parks and trails clean for all:

Information is updated daily on the City's COVID-19 webpage. Text COVIDPHL to 888-777 to receive updates to your phone. Call the helpline 24/7 to speak with a health care professional: 1-800-722-7112.