Philadelphia’s trails are some of the safest places in the city to walk, bike and spend time outside. But that safety depends on regular maintenance: clearing debris, repairing surfaces and ensuring trails remain visible, clean and welcoming. 
Philadelphia has more than 80 miles of trails connecting neighborhoods, schools and businesses. Many are part of the larger <a href="https://circuittrails.org/" target="_self"><ins>Circuit Trails</ins></a> network of multi-use paths enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. To help keep these trails safe, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation recently secured <a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.inquirer.com%2Fnews%2Fphiladelphia%2Fparks-and-rec-philadelphia-work-crews-hiking-trails-20260225.html%3Fid%3DamTsNUveU63b3%26utm_source%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3Dgift_link%26utm_medium%3Dreferral&data=05%7C02%7Cberkowitz%40fow.org%7C5f9b7079097a47fcec8a08de7865b06b%7Cb633fb9fc451445891e97c3b1a374616%7C0%7C0%7C639080575615830778%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=j1PEvGjm%2FKAReqUrVAlOFJGf4SuPBhpRzDSYIPwmdgY%3D&reserved=0" target="_self"><ins>a one-year grant from the William Penn Foundation to develop a dedicated six-person crew</ins></a>.
However, this initial investment is time limited; without permanent support, the city risks falling behind on the maintenance needed to keep trails safe and accessible. 
Take Action Now! Securing dedicated local funding for trail development and a six person trail maintenance crew will ensure safe, clean and green spaces for all Philadelphia residents. Tell your Councilperson to support:
<ul>
<li>$300,000 in new funding to support dedicated trail maintenance and safety for the FY 28 - FY 30 budget from the Philadelphia Streets and Parks and Recreation Departments’ Operational Budgets.</li>
<li>$500,000 of sustained funding from Philadelphia Streets Department</li>
<li>$250,000 of sustained funding from Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Capital Budgets to support equitable development of trails</li>
</ul>

You’re helping shape the future of Philadelphia’s trails.

Philadelphia’s trail system provides safe places for residents to walk, bike and be active outdoors while connecting neighborhoods to parks, jobs, transit and local businesses. 

Philadelphia Parks and Recreation recently launched a pilot six-person trail maintenance crew with funding from a one-year grant from the William Penn Foundation. This program is an important step toward ensuring Philadelphia’s 80+ miles of trails remain safe, clean and accessible. This funding is temporary. 

To maintain safe trails citywide, including those that are part of the Circuit Trails network, Philadelphia needs permanent operational funding for a dedicated trail maintenance crew. 
Please support:

$300,000 in new funding to support dedicated trail maintenance and safety for the FY 28- FY 30 budget from Philadelphia’s Parks and Recreation and Streets Departments’ Operational Budgets
$500,000 of sustained funding from Philadelphia Streets Department
$250,000 from Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Capital Budgets to support equitable development of trails

This funding will ensure Philadelphia’s trails remain safe and welcoming for all residents and will allow the city to leverage state and federal funds to develop new trails.

Context: 

Philadelphia’s trail system is one of the city’s most valuable public assets, supporting transportation, recreation and neighborhood connectivity, which are proposed to be funded by Philadelphia Streets Department ($500K) and Parks and Recreation’s ($250K) FY27 capital budgets. Many trails run alongside waterways and green infrastructure that help protect drinking water and manage stormwater. 

The city’s 2022 Philadelphia Trail and Sidepath Maintenance Plan identified dedicated trail maintenance funding as the most important step to ensure trails remain safe and usable as the network grows. Trust for Public Land’s 2025 Park Score reported Philadelphia allocates only $82 per resident for parks and recreation, compared with a national median of $116. 

A permanent trail maintenance plan would protect Philadelphia’s investment in trails while supporting Mayor Parker’s vision of a safe, clean and green city.