Every successful city in America has a park and recreation system that serves as a central gathering place, a point of local pride, a source of health and wellness, and a sanctuary from the stresses of modern life. Chester City deserves the same.

Chester’s founders recognized the importance of parks and open space when they created the city’s footprint. Most parks are within a ten-minute walk for citizens with the majority of the recreation sites represented by small neighborhood parks. Collectively, Chester has a generous 247 acres of parkland that are well distributed throughout the City. The City has six major parks, 23 neighborhood play areas, a public swimming pool, multiple tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball and softball fields, a hard court soccer pitch, a trail system, and boat access to the Delaware River.

Ongoing efforts to modernize our parks and playground spaces is ongoing. In 2022, broken and damaged playground equipment was removed from several parks and repairs are being made to playsets in order to restore them for full use and enjoyment. Three new playsets will be installed by the end of 2022 at Octagon Playground (9^th and Pennell), McClug Playground (62 W 8^th St – ‘Holy City’), and Sun Village Park.

The Department of Public Property and Recreation also manages reservations for the use of parks, playgrounds, and the Community Room in City Hall for citizen events.

Daycare / Group Rates Available