For the first time ever, Philadelphia will soon have a team of individuals tasked with maintaining the city’s many trails, writes Frank Kummer for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is preparing to launch the city’s first crew whose job is dedicated to trail monitoring and maintaining the many multi-use trails the city has to offer.
According to Susan Buck, Philadelphia Parks & Rec’s deputy commissioner of operations, the team would help address a long-standing logistical issue.
“The focus has always been on building the trails,“ said Buck. ”However, in recent years we would go to community meetings and hear more about trail maintenance.”
For many years, Philadelphia officials depended on local residents to call in or log into the 311 system to report any trail-related issues prior to have a crew sent out.
Another positive is that while addressing a trail issue has meant taking staff away from neighborhood parks and recreation centers, the new dedicated trail crew will have that responsibility.
Buck said this will allow Philadelphia Parks & Rec to be more proactive.
Once installed, the crew will be tasked with rotating through 10 watershed parks, and also monitor the Schuylkill River Trail.
Overall, the goal is to make the trails safer and more enjoyable.
Read more about the team being formed to address the city’s park issues in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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