THE COMMISSION ON PARKS AND RECREATION APPLICATION
Application Deadline: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Philadelphia City Council is accepting applications from residents to serve on the Commission on Parks and Recreation.
There are nine positions to be filled by City Council. If you are interested in applying, please read the below information before completing the online application here: https://forms.office.com/g/xrBRbknjJz
If you cannot complete the application online, you can print the application or receive a paper copy by: (1) picking one up from the Chief Clerk’s Office (Room 402 City Hall), Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm or (2) emailing [email protected] and provide your mailing address no later than Monday, April 20, 2026.
Download the paper application by clicking here.
Submit your paper application, postmarked no later than Wednesday, May 6, 2026 to:
Chief Clerk’s Office
4th Floor, Room 402, City Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19107
If you need an accommodation or service to complete the application, please email the Chief Clerk’s Office at [email protected] or call 215-686-3410.
About the Commission
The Commission supports and guides Philadelphia’s Department of Parks and Recreation. It holds public meetings four times a year so residents can stay informed and involved.
The Commission works with City leaders and private groups to improve and promote the Fairmount Park System and other City recreation facilities. It also helps find and grow funding to support operations, maintenance, and improvements.
The Commission also sets standards and guidelines for City parks and facilities which include topics such as:
- Using Parks and Recreation resources to the benefit of communities
- Protecting green space
- Managing watersheds
- Supporting sustainability
- Reviewing how public land or facilities are bought, sold, or transferred
The Commission has 15 members:
- 9 members are nominated by City Council and approved by the Mayor
- 6 members include:
- Commissioners of Parks and Recreation, Water, Streets, and Public Property
- City Council President
- Executive Director of the City Planning Commission
Members serve during the Mayor’s term and can be reappointed. All positions are volunteer and unpaid.
Qualifications for Commission Applicants
- Commission applicants should have experience or skills in areas such as:
- Sports, recreation, or athletic programs
- Managing natural lands, water systems, or protecting the environment
- Tourism, marketing, public relations, business, or finance
- Community leadership or neighborhood improvement
- Historic or building preservation, landscaping, or horticulture
- Fundraising
- The Commission should reflect the diversity of Philadelphia, including, but not limited to, different neighborhoods, races, ethnicities, ages, and genders.
- Applicants must live in Philadelphia or in Bucks, Delaware or Montgomery County.
- All members must complete a one-hour ethics training each year through the City’s Board of Ethics.
- Members will be reviewed to confirm their information and check for any conflicts of interest. Anyone who owes fines or fees to the City must pay them in full or be on a payment plan.
Candidate Nomination Process
- Application: Applications are open to the public for 30 days.
- Testify at a public hearing: After the application period is over, Council will hold a public hearing in City Council Chambers, 4th Floor, Room 400, City Hall. The hearing is currently scheduled for Monday, May 11, 2026 at 10AM.
This is a chance for applicants to talk about their application and answer Councilmembers’ questions. Attendance at the hearing is entirely optional.
Applicants will be notified in advance if the hearing needs to be rescheduled.
- Nominations: Within 90 days after the hearing, Council will forward between 18-25 nominations to the Mayor.
The Mayor will select 9 appointments from the list that Council provides. You will be notified if you are selected by the Mayor.