It’ll cost you if park on the grass on Kelly Drive
The move comes a year into the coronavirus pandemic, which enticed residents outside into parks during nice weather.
The Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation said Wednesday it will step up enforcement against drivers who park their cars on the grass between Kelly Drive and the Schuylkill River.
The illegal parking took off during the COVID-19 pandemic as people sought places to relax outside during nice weather. On Monday evening, dozens of cars were parked on the grass.
“Illegal parking on the grass alongside Kelly Drive is dangerous and illegal,” said Maita Soukup, spokesperson for the parks and recreation department. “Despite temporary signage and increased ranger patrols, the illegal parking has persisted.”
Starting this week, the department will post a park ranger in the trouble area daily to enforce parking rules, Soukup said. A ranger was in the area Tuesday evening, and no cars were parked on the grass.
In addition, the city will install permanent signs — to replace the paper signs on wooden sticks that were pounded into the ground recently — warning of a $101 fine for illegal parking, she said.
In case drivers continue parking illegally along the drive, Parks and Recreation is working with the Philadelphia Police Department “to prepare to remove illegally parked vehicles,” she said.