Outdoor

Campus-Wide Open Space Policy & Procedures

Campus Greens, Lawns and Plazas are designed to provide open space for the University and University Community. In order to maintain these spaces and prevent excessive damage, regulations have been adopted.

The General Policies listed below apply to all spaces. Additional policies and regulations apply to the following specific open spaces:

• College Green/Blanche Levy Park
• Penn Park
• Shoemaker Green
• Hamilton Village Green
• Penn Commons
• Kane Park

General Policies

1. No motorized vehicles shall be permitted on lawns or planted areas.  No food trucks, carts or motorized vehicles are permitted on any paved area without written permission of the Office of the University Architect and the Department of Public Safety.
2. No person shall injure, deface, remove, cut or damage any of the trees, plants, shrubs, turf, or structures therein.
3. Bike riding or walking of pets without a leash is prohibited on lawns.
   NOTE: Penn's full Bicycle Policy is available online on Penn's Website.
4. Lawns may not be used for contact sports such as football, rugby, or soccer. Only light active recreation such as Frisbee, jogging, or children's sports are permitted.
5. Cleats are prohibited.
6. No disturbance from stakes or other excavations are allowed without first obtaining permission from Facilities & Real Estate Services. Underground irrigation systems, lighting conduits, and other utilities are located below the lawn and beds, some within 12" of the surface.
7. Facilities & Real Estate Services reserves the right to prohibit the use of lawns at any time due to field conditions and maintenance requirements.
8. No smoking policy.  Please reference Penn’s full Tobacco Use and Smoking Policy.
9. Trespass/Solicitation Policy. Trespassing or Soliciting is Prohibited. Only students, faculty, staff or alumni of the University of Pennsylvania, or other persons having specific business herein, may enter a University building. Violators are subject to arrest for criminal trespass.

Additional Provisions

College Green/Blanche Levy Park

College Green/Blanche Levy Park is bounded by College Hall to the south, the Fisher Fine Arts Library and Meyerson Hall to the east, Van Pelt/Dietrich Library Center to the north and extends to 36^th St Walk to the west.  

Reservations for the use of the space must be made through Space and Events Management. Duration of an event, noise control, setup, takedown, and cleanup are all carefully monitored to maintain an appropriate balance of the use of the space along with the needs of neighboring building users. Due to our desire to maintain the quality of this iconic landscape and central commons for all members of the Penn community, no food trucks, carts, or motorized vehicles are permitted without written permission of the Office of the University Architect and the Department of Public Safety. All signage must comply with University’s Exterior Signage Policy.

Reservations for College Green

Requests must be initiated through Space and Events Management.

Penn Park

Penn Park, located east of the Highline and stretching from Walnut Street to South Streets, features both passive and active recreation and athletic components. Formal and informal play fields are framed and subdivided by canopy trees, lawns, and meadows.

The Park hours of operations are 6:00am - 12:00 midnight. There are specific rules and regulations that apply to Penn Park - please refer to the Penn Park Facility Use Guidelines.

Reservations for Penn Park

To reserve space, use the Penn Athletics Facility Request Form.

Shoemaker Green

Shoemaker Green, is an open space located on 33rd Street, bordered by the iconic Palestra and Franklin Field, that connects the central campus to the University's Penn Park on the eastern side. Sustainable design aspects such as a rain garden, porous pavers, and a cistern for rainwater reuse support Penn's Climate Action Plan, which calls for increasing campus green space and improving storm-water management for the campus and the city. As a 2.75-acre public commons, the open lawn area is designed to accommodate large groups for special events, as well as cater to smaller audiences like an outdoor class or individuals for a lunchtime respite.

There are specific rules and regulations that apply to Shoemaker Green. Download the Shoemaker Green Facility Use Guidelines below.

Reservations for Shoemaker Green

To reserve space, use the Penn Athletics Facility Request Form.

Hamilton Village Green

The open space of Hamilton Village Green is adjacent to student housing and bounded by 40th, 39th, and Walnut Streets, and Locust Walk. Reservations for the use of the Hamilton Village Green space must be made through College Houses & Academic Services. Use of the lawn is prohibited after dusk.

Reservations for Hamilton Village Green

To reserve space, please use the College House Outdoor Space Reservation Form.

Penn Commons

Penn Commons is bounded by College Hall, Houston Hall, Cohen Hall, and Irvine Auditorium. Reservations for the use of the space must be made through University Life Space and Events. Use of the Quad is prohibited after dusk.

Reservations for Penn Commons

To reserve space, visit Space and Events Management.

Edward W. Kane Park

The open space of Edward W. Kane Park is bounded by Spruce Street, 34th Street, and 33rd Street,  in convenient proximity to Penn's Medical Complex, the Penn Museum and Franklin Field.

Reservations for Kane Park

To reserve space, use the Penn Athletics Facility Request Form.

Picnic Grove in Penn Park

The open area in Penn Park with picnic tables and shade trees between Hecht Tennis Center and Multipurpose Stadium.

Reservations for Picnic Grove

To reserve space, use the Penn Athletics Facility Request Form.

South Green in Penn Park

The open area in Penn Park located between the Hamlin Tennis Center (outdoor courts) and the Penn Park Orchard.

Reservations for South Green

To reserve space, use the Penn Athletics Facility Request Form.

NOTE: At any given time, any of these open spaces on Penn's campus may be reserved. For questions about Shoemaker Green, Kane Park, the Picnic Grove, or South Green, please email Penn Park Supervisor Sam Royer at sroyer@upenn.edu.