The Trust for Public Land is fully committed to redeveloping Philadelphia parks and playgrounds to achieve multiple benefits related to equity. Since 2012, we have worked with residents and partners to create spaces for community cohesion, education, play, and public safety. This impact is deepened when these spaces are built to include rain gardens, new trees, and natural habitat that all serve to enhance climate resiliency. This environmental focus is crucial to supporting equity, because climate challenges such as the urban heat island effect, stormwater runoff, and riverine flooding are often concentrated in neighborhoods of high poverty.
The cross-sector partnership convened to implement this work includes staff from multiple city departments as well as community partners from local organizations. Together, we’re bringing cutting-edge science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) planning, and fostering collaborative networks to drive park, open space and green infrastructure solutions to help secure a climate-resilient future for the city of Philadelphia.