PHILADELPHIA - Clark Park in West Philadelphia is a beloved community hub, boasting diverse users and an enthusiastic group of park volunteers.
Unauthorized vending at Clark Park puts strain on park operations, makes space for recreational users, creates safety hazards like double-parked cars blocking crosswalks and trolleys, and has resulted in significant financial loss to longtime partners UHURU and The Food Trust as well as active participants in these official markets.
As a result, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce, and Councilmember Jamie Gauthier have joined forces with UHURU Market, The Food Trust, and The Friends of Clark Park to address unpermitted vending in the park.
On March 11th, 2023, Parks & Rec and the Commerce Department will spearhead an initial outreach and engagement campaign. During this time, the City and its partners hope to:
Establish relationships with unpermitted vendors; inform them of the conditions for conducting commercial activity on parkland; and Alert them of upcoming enforcement dates for those operating in Clark Park during market days.
This initiative is intended to welcome new park users while maintaining the long-standing relationship existing permit holders have at the park. A Seasonal Engagement Assistant is being hired to facilitate and sustain this initiative.
