Everything you need to know about Love Your Park Solo Cleanups

Philly's parks have seen record usage over the past few months and an increase in litter – and many park-goers have reached out, asking what they can do to love their parks during this difficult time. 

That's why we're excited to launch Love Your Park Solo Cleanups! 

Love Your Park Solo encourages all park users to safely clean up trash and litter individually or with their families as they enjoy Philly parks this summer.

What is Love Your Park Solo Cleanups?Love Your Park Solo is a summer campaign that encourages all park users to safely clean up trash and litter individually or with their families as they enjoy Philly parks this summer. Volunteers can go the extra mile by pledging to track their work online and can even sign up to receive free cleanup kits in the mail (while supplies last). Love Your Park Solo cleanups will help to keep our parks clean and ready to use this summer, and offer Philadelphians a rewarding way to give back during a difficult time.

How can I get a free cleanup kit? Volunteers who register online to participate individually can receive a cleanup kit that will be mailed. Kits include: gloves, trash bags, cleanup instructions, safety and social distancing tips, and a Fairmount Park Conservancy bandanna. The first 60 volunteers to sign up will also receive a collapsible trash grabber! 

You can also pick up a cleanup kit in person at an upcoming giveaway in Fairmount Park. Kits will be available while supplies last:

• Thursday, August 6, 5:00-7:00pm - Mount Pleasant Mansion
• Thursday, August 13, 5:00-7:00pm - Chamounix Drive
• Thursday, August 20, 5:00-7:00pm - Lemon Hill
• Thursday, August 27, 5:00-7:00pm - Concourse Lake
• Thursday, September 3, 5:00-7:00pm - Woodford Mansion

I have my own cleanup tools. Do I need an official kit to participate? Not at all. If you already have tools at home to safely clean up your park, then you can opt out of the volunteer kits and help make sure there are enough for other participants. We still encourage you to sign up to participate so you can track your work! 

How do I safely participate in a solo cleanup? It’s simple! Watch this short how-to video. 

Follow these steps: 

1. Make sure that you have all of the tools that you need: Gloves, trash bags, and a face mask. Bring a trash-grabber, too, if you have one. 
2. Head to your local park and clean up as much trash as you can carry in your trash bag. 
3. Tie off your trash bags and set them next to a park trash can to be collected, or dispose of it in a trash can, if space allows. You can also take the trash home with you and put it out with your regular weekly collection. 
4. Wash your hands thoroughly! If you have hand sanitizer, use it!
5. Remember to post “before and after” photos of your accomplishments on social media and include the name of your park! Use #loveyourpark and tag @myphillypark and @philaparkandrec.
6. Head back to loveyourpark.org or GivePulse to share your accomplishments!

Please stay home if you or members of your household are showing any COVID-19 symptoms. 

Who organizes Love Your Park Solo?Love Your Park Solo is a collaboration between Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and its non-profit partner, Fairmount Park Conservancy. 

I’m in! How do I register for Love Your Park Solo? Great! You can register online at this link.

I want to clean up a rec center. How can I organize that?You can contact Parks & Recreation’s Community Engagement Manager Tess.Donie@phila.gov to learn more about the best times to beautify your local rec center or playground.

Are there any upcoming group cleanups happening in Philly parks?Yes! Check out our calendar of events, or contact your local Park Friends Group to see if they are hosting small group cleanups in your neighborhood. 

What else can I do to support Philadelphia’s parks?

Leave no trace: You can make sure to “leave no trace” and carry out all of your trash home with you from Philadelphia’s parks this summer (or look to some of these helpful tips to reduce waste in the first place). 

Donate: You can also support Philadelphia’s parks by making a donation to the Love Your Park program. A $35 donation will cover the cost of one cleanup kit. A $75 donation covers the cost of one cleanup kit plus includes a $50-level membership to Fairmount Park Conservancy. 

Upcoming Cleanup Kit Giveaways