Philadelphia Parks & Recreation facts for kids

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) is a special department in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its job is to take care of all the parks, fun centers, playgrounds, walking paths, community gardens, and old historic buildings in the city. PPR looks after more than 150 parks and 170 recreation centers and playgrounds. It was created in 2010, taking over from two older groups: the Fairmount Park Commission and the City of Philadelphia Department of Recreation.

What Can You Do at Philadelphia Parks?

PPR manages almost 10,200 acres of land. That's a lot of space! They also look after hundreds of recreation centers. You can find many cool things to do in these parks and centers.

Fun Places to Visit

Imagine having 71 outdoor swimming pools to cool off in! There are also 223 miles of trails for walking or biking. If you love sports, you'll find 404 baseball and softball fields. There are also 460 basketball courts. For those who like nature, there are 66 gardens, farms, and orchards. You can even find 25 public computer centers.

Programs and Activities for Kids

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation offers many programs for young people. They have about 100 After School Programs across the city. In the summer, they run over 130 summer camps. These include neighborhood camps, special interest camps, and camps for kids with special needs.

PPR also has programs about growing food in the city. They offer visual and performing arts classes. You can learn about nature and the environment. There are also many outdoor recreation and sports activities. Plus, PPR runs a food program. It feeds about 30,000 kids every day in the summer. During the school year, it feeds around 4,000 kids daily.

How PPR Helps the City

The department does many important things for Philadelphia. They help manage the local environment. They work to protect historic buildings and sites. PPR also handles permits for events and helps manage them. They encourage people to get involved in their communities. They even offer jobs for young people. PPR also takes care of trees and manages park businesses.

PPR organizes big events and entertainment. These include the famous Mummers Parade. They also put on the Broad Street Run. You can enjoy events at The Oval and the Dell Music Center too.

Exploring Philadelphia's Parks

PPR looks after more than 150 neighborhood and regional parks. Here are some of them: