How Can You Get Involved?

Philadelphia’s successful future depends on a great quality of life, including clean, green, and safe open spaces actively used by the community. To ensure such a future, the City seeks your help in shaping GreenPlan Philadelphia.

Visit www.GreenPlanPhiladelphia.com, where you can find information about community meetings and events, learn about upcoming discussions, complete resident surveys, and more.

You may also contact:GreenPlan Philadelphia Office of the Managing DirectorCity of Philadelphia1430 Municipal Services Building1401 John F. Kennedy BoulevardPhiladelphia, PA 19102

215-686-1428 info@greenplanphiladelphia.com

GreenPlan Philadelphia is funded by:

• PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

• The City of Philadelphia• The William Penn Foundation• In-kind resources from Project Partners

GreenPlan PhiladelphiaCity Agencies:

• Managing Director’s Office• Neighborhood

Transformation Initiative/Empowerment Zone

• Water Department• Fairmount Park Commission• Department of Recreation • City Planning Commission• Office of Housing and

Community Development• Department of Public Health • Mayor’s Office of Community

Services• Capital Program Office• Department of Commerce • Police Department• Department of Human Services• Department of Streets

GreenPlan Philadelphia Partners:

• US Environmental Protection Agency

• US Fish and Wildlife Service• USDA Forest Service• PA Department of Conservation

and Natural Resources• Pennsylvania Horticultural

Society• Keystone Conservation Trust• Pennsylvania Environmental

Council• Delaware Valley Regional

Planning Commission• Philadelphia Association of

Community Development Corporations

• School District of Philadelphia• City Parks Association

Gre

enPl

an P

hila

delp

hia

Offi

ce o

f the

Man

agin

g D

irec

tor,

Cit

y of

Phi

lade

lphi

a14

30 M

unic

ipal

Ser

vice

s B

uild

ing

1401

Joh

n F.

Ken

nedy

Bou

leva

rdPh

ilade

lphi

a, P

A 1

9102

Visit www.GreenPlanPhiladelphia.com

Philadelphia is home to some of the most treasured natural resources in the region. The Fairmount Park

system, our expansive riverfronts and neighborhood parks and gardens all enrich our lives in countless and irreplaceable ways. They are places of great fun and recreation, of quiet contemplation and hidden beauty, as well as a treasure trove of history, culture, and environmental learning.

The City of Philadelphia has brought together city agencies and partner organizations to prepare GreenPlan Philadelphia, a comprehensive open space plan for the city. GreenPlan Philadelphia will guide and inform decision-making about open space use, acquisition, development, funding, and management. It will ensure that green spaces continue to enhance the environmental, social, and economic well-being of our city.

What Will GreenPlan Philadelphia Accomplish?

GreenPlan Philadelphia will be a comprehensive plan for effective management of all existing and future open space in the city, including:

• an inventory of the city’s natural resources

• funding strategies for the plan’s implementation

• assessment of the costs and benefits of quality open space

• evaluation tools to measure the successful implementation of the plan

GreenPlan Philadelphia will help the City of Philadelphia to:

• Increase collaboration with community leaders to champion open space assets

• Meet environmental regulations• Implement open space projects• Support programs that promote the

health and quality-of-life benefits of open space

• Foster adoption of the plan’s recommendations into the mission of city agencies.

What Are the Benefits of Quality Open Space?

Philadelphia, like other American cities, recognizes the value of open space

and its importance to the quality of life. Open space spurs economic development, tourism, and housing development. It improves the health of people as well as their natural environment.

Philadelphia residents understand that a healthy, green environment, is vital to the city’s future. A recent citywide survey shows that Philadelphians think more support and resources should be focused on open space and environmental issues. The survey found that “ninety-two percent of Philadelphians believe that environmental and infrastructure improvements are necessary to improve the area’s economic competitiveness and growth.” (Source: PennFuture survey - www.pennfuture.org.)

The Benefits of Open Space

• Visual: Open spaces create an appealing environment that provides relief from built-up urban surroundings.

• Economic: Green spaces enhance

a city’s economic prospects by increasing tourism, attracting reinvestment, and increasing property values.

• Environmental: Trees and other plants improve air quality, absorb stormwater, improve water quality, and slow the formation of ground-level ozone.

• Social: Greening reduces crime, provides neighborhood gathering places, and improves health by offering recreational opportunities and improving the air and water.

OPEN SPACE MATTERS • Visit www.GreenPlanPhiladelphia.com

What is Open Space?

• Neighborhood and regional parks

• Public landscapes, and plazas

• Streetscapes and gateways

• Community gardens

• Playgrounds and play areas, ball fields, and recreation centers

• Riverfronts and other areas near water that offer opportunities for sport and recreation

• Woodlands, walking, and riding trails

• Wetlands, marshlands, and land in floodways and floodplains

• Abandoned land that can be utilized as new green spaces

• Agricultural land, watersheds, forests, floodplains, habitat areas, and riverfronts

• Other private and public land used for passive or active recreation