With support from the City of Philadelphia, PHS partners with local businesses and community groups to transform vacant lots into vibrant green spaces that provide lasting benefits for neighborhoods. Through PHS LandCare, we replace waste with grass, trees, and plants in over 12,000 vacant lots across the city.
PHS works with local neighbors and community groups to identify target neighborhoods and parcels of land that are abandoned, blighted, and subject to persistent illegal dumping. With approval from the City of Philadelphia, PHS is granted site access to clean and green these vacant lots. Since PHS doesn't own the land, some lots are transformed into businesses, housing, commercial properties, or permanent green spaces.
Each site is maintained twice a month throughout the year. Vacant lots can receive the following programming:
- With the help of small business contractors, PHS stabilizes vacant lots by leveling the soil, clearing weeds and debris, growing grass, installing fencing, and planting trees. 87% of contractor businesses are minority and/or women owned.
- PHS collaborates with 20 community-based organizations to offer job opportunities to local residents, enabling them to maintain vacant lots in their neighborhoods.
- Select vacant lots include pollinator garden installations, community gardens, murals and other community-driven programming.
Businesses and community groups are encouraged to hire from the PHS Workforce Development program. PHS provides horticultural and landscape training, job placement, and ongoing support to Philadelphia residents impacted by underemployment. Many are placed to work with LandCare contractors and community organizations, allowing more lots to be revitalized.
