In celebration of Earth Week, West Philadelphia’s Clark Park was given a refresh, thanks to the work of Friends of Clark Park and student volunteers with Penn’s Sustainability Office and the Penn & Philly team. 

Volunteers spent the day picking up litter, edging flower beds, spreading mulch, and clearing pathways, improving the park’s appearance and helping make the space more enjoyable and accessible for residents.

“It was heartening to see students work with the Penn & Philly initiative to beautify Clark Park during this Earth Week event,” said Noah Swistak, Penn Sustainability Manager. “The afternoon encapsulated this year’s theme of Our Power, Our Planet, with Penn volunteers working together with the university’s neighbors to make positive change at this vital community green space. I look forward to future collaborative service projects between Penn Sustainability, Penn & Philly, Friends of Clark Park, and other local organizations.”

By working with local partners like Friends of Clark Park, students demonstrated that taking environmental responsibility seriously also means investing time and energy into the shared spaces that connect us.

“Spending the afternoon at Clark Park during Earth Week was a powerful experience,” added Noah Milad, a Penn & Philly student ambassador. “It was amazing to see people come together, students and neighbors alike, to care for a space that means so much to the community.”

Clark Park is one of West Philly’s most treasured green spaces, and Penn has been a partner with the Friends of Clark Park for many years. 

“Clark Park and Penn are both anchors of West Philadelphia, and many students, faculty, and staff call the area around our park home,” said Daniel Flinchbaugh, Friends of Clark Park Board member and Assistant Landscape Planner for Penn’s Facilities & Real Estate Services. “Having a group of volunteers coming out to help tend to the park, despite spring rain showers, shows Penn’s commitment to improving its neighborhood.”