“Love Your Park” week will be held from May 12 – May 20, and residents are encouraged to join over 2,500 fellow Philadelphians to care for our parks and green spaces at 70 different locations across the city. You can sign up to volunteer at a spring service day in your neighborhood park or to participate in a special event, such as a bird walk, outdoor yoga, guided hike, children’s story time, and many others. Here’s a list of volunteer and special events in West and Southwest Philadelphia (to register for an event and learn more about Love Your Park Week, go here).

Philly Pumptrack Spring Service Day

Saturday, May 12, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Philly Pumptrack, 52nd St. and Parkside Avenue

This Love Your Park event includes trash cleanup on the Crossbow Trail, pumptrack dirt and clay work; and rain garden cleaning, mulching, and planting. And stick around for the Pumpjam special event that begins at Noon. 

Clark Park Spring Service Day

Saturday, May 12, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Clark Park, 4300 Baltimore Avenue

Join your neighbors for a cleanup and gardening day in Clark Park.

Buist Park Spring Service Day

Saturday, May 12, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Buist Park, S. 68th St. and Buist Ave.

Audubon Pennsylvania and John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge will host a park cleanup day, including improvements to the butterfly garden planted by neighbors in the fall! All supplies, gloves, and snacks will be provided.

Bartram’s Garden Spring Service Day 

Saturday, May 12, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard

Volunteers will work with the staff on seasonal tasks like weeding, planting, cleaning, pruning, and light maintenance.

Cedar Park Spring Service Day

Saturday, May 12, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cedar Park, 49th St. and Baltimore Ave.

Help your neighbors clean the park and prepare gardens for the coming outdoor season. This will involve weeding, removing invasive plants, and planting annual flowers.

Malcolm X Park Community Day

Saturday, May 12, 12:00-5:00 p.m.
Malcolm X Memorial Park, 5100 Pine St.

Friends of Malcolm X Park and Dynamite Pest Control present the annual Community Day at Malcolm X Park. The event will include social services, free food, and lots of fun activities for kids.

Love Your Park Week Pumpjam

Saturday, May 12, 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Philly Pumptrack, 52nd St. and Parkside Ave.

Volunteer workday will be held from 9:00 a.m. – Noon, followed by open riding from Noon to 3:00 pm. As always, bikes and helmets are FREE to anyone to borrow and ride.

Nature Photography Basics

Saturday, May 12, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center, 700 Cobbs Creek Parkway

Capture what you love about your park with an into to nature photography!

Guided Trolley Trail Hike 

Sunday, May 13 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m .
West Fairmount Park, 3245 Chamounix Dr.

Explore the physical remains of what is now a hidden trolley network including massive stone tunnels and bridge abutments along this 4-mile loop hike led by former Fairmount Park Conservancy project manager Chris Dougherty. Cost: $10.

Coffee with the Birds

Tuesday, May 15, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Cobbs Creek Environmental Center, 700 Cobbs Creek Parkway

Enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the bird feeders and take a short walk to observe birds in Cobbs Creek Park.

Nature PHL Walk

Wednesday, May 16, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center, 700 Cobbs Creek Parkway

Enjoy the health benefits of being in the outdoors with a guided hike in Cobbs Creek Park.

Thursday Night Ride

Thursday, May 17, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Belmont Plateau, 2000 Belmont Mansion Drive

This is a special Love Your Park edition of the weekly Thursday Night ride. The ride is suitable for mountain bikes only, and helmets are required.

Party in the Park

Sunday, May 20, 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Clark Park, 4300 Baltimore Avenue

Join Friends of Clark Park for a party in the park. Members of the Friends of Clark Park who join or renew will receive one free beer from Dock Street Brewing. Live music and family activities in the Plaza at Clark Park.

Malcolm X Memorial Park Spring Service Day

Saturday, May 19, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Malcolm X Memorial Park, 5100 Pine St.

Volunteers will help pick up leaves and trash. Donuts and coffee will be served to all volunteers.

Barkan Park Spring Service Day

Saturday, May 19, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Barkan Park, 50th and Spruce Streets

Help your neighbors sweep, rake, pick up, and plant in the park.

Guided Photo Tour of Fairmount Park Horticulture Center

Sunday, May 20, 10:30 a.m – 12:30 p.m.
Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, 100 N. Horticultural Drive

Join photographer, instructor, and Philadelphia park lover Armond Scavo for a hands-on guided photography class and walking tour of the historic Fairmount Park Horticulture Center.

Yoga at the Horticulture Center

Sunday, May 20, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, 100 N. Horticultural Drive

This is a special Love Your Park yoga class at the beautiful Fairmount Park Horticulture Center. This class is not suitable for first-time yogis. Please bring your own yoga mat and water. Cost: $10.