Park Links & Policies

Click on a section read more:

No Smoking Policy
No Dumping Policy
Dog-Free Zone
City-Wide Links

No Smoking Policy

Smoking is not allowed on any Parks and Recreation property including buildings, playgrounds, ice or skating rinks, fields or courts, pools, picnic areas, walking areas and parking lots.

The smoke-free policy:
– Helps protect children and adults from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke
– Reduces cigarette butt litter
– Reduces the risk of fire
– Lessens the frequency with which children see others smoking.

If you see someone smoking:
– Inform them about the new law
– Point to the nearest “No Smoking” sign and ask them to put out their cigarette
– Call 215-685-5681 to report a complaint

No Dumping Policy

Wire baskets are for litter ONLY! Dumping household trash = $150 fine

There are approximately 900 wire basket public trash cans throughout Philadelphia, which are there to cut down on litter, not add to it. Unfortunately, some residents dump household and business garbage – filling the baskets up, forcing trash to overflow – and causing a bigger litter issue in our neighborhoods.

Cleaner blocks are safer blocks and help boost community pride. Save your weekly trash for curbside pickups or SANITATION CENTER DROP OFFS, and dial 311 to let the city know if you see anyone abusing the system.

There’s no need to dump your household trash in a wire basket. Learn about the programs the Streets Department offers to help keep our streets clean:

Weekly Curbside Collections
The Streets Department provides weekly residential curbside trash collection for residential dwellings of six units or less. VIEW SCHEDULE

Sanitation Convenience Centers
Open Monday through Saturday, from 8 am to 6 pm (except City holidays), sanitation drop off centers are conveniently located throughout the City. SANITATION CONVENIENCE CENTERS

Neighborhood Cleanup Event
The Streets Department regularly supports neighborhood clean-up efforts. With two weeks of advanced planning, any organization (school, house of worship, civic association, etc.) can arrange for block cleaning support. We support over 6,000 block clean-ups each year, supplying equipment and picking up all rubbish collected. VIEW SCHEDULE

Household Hazardous Waste Event
There are multiple annual hazardous waste collection events throughout the City for residents to safely drop off hazardous materials. VIEW SCHEDULE

Dog-Free Zone

Dogs are prohibited in animal-free areas. An animal-free area is a zone where no animals are permitted, except service animals. Animal-free areas are usually in Parks & Rec playgrounds, ballfields, lawn areas, spray grounds, athletic courts, and gardens.

Two main regulations guide Parks & Rec in the management of dogs on Parks & Rec property:

City of Philadelphia leash laws: City council ordinance requires that dogs be on a six-foot or shorter leash and that owners clean up after their pets. See Philadelphia Ordinance Chapter 10, Sections 104 and 105  (PDF) for complete rules.

Philadelphia Code regulations governing the park system: Parks & Rec has the authority to designate an animal-free area where within the Parks & Rec system. This does not include support, service, or guide animals. See The Philadelphia Code Chapter 15-200, Section 111. Animal-free Area (PDF) for complete rules.

City-Wide Links

Friends of Schuylkill River Park
Parks and Recreation
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
The Philadelphia School
Rosenbach Museum
Trinity Center for Urban Life