Parks, Recreation, & Facilities
The Department of Public Property and Recreation is responsible for the management, maintenance and upkeep of much of the City owned properties including buildings like City Hall and the Police and Fire stations, public monuments, the water front, parks, and playgrounds. The department is commonly referred to as Parks and Recreation.
Chester City government recognizes that well designed parks and recreation may contribute to improve health, deter crime, stimulate the economy, and enhance the quality of life. Access to parks and recreation opportunities are strongly linked to reductions in crime and juvenile delinquency. Quality parks are a key driver in attracting and retaining businesses and jobs. Parks and recreation are one of the most important factors in assessing how livable communities are.
The City of Chester's Park System
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 (9th and Pennell), McClug Playground (62 W 8th 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.
Upcoming Events in Our Parks
Let Us Be The Change
Let Us Be The Change
Oldies in the Park
Oldies in the Park
Oldies in the Park
Oldies in the Park
Environmental Youth Corps
Environmental Youth Corps
Oldies in the Park
Oldies in the Park
Memorial Park Pool
Pool Hours
12pm – 6pm DAILY
June 20 – September 7 (Labor Day)
Memorial Park Pool Application
Memorial Park Pool Fees 2026
| Children 0 - 3 years old | ||
| Youth 4 - 17 years old | ||
| Adults (18+ years old) | ||
| Organizations | ||
| Replacement Cards | ||
Summer Aquatics Programs
July 20 – September 7
FREE! Members and Drop-Ins Welcome!
- Mondays – Adults
- 6pm – 7pm: Adult Swim Skills Class
- 7pm – 8pm: Adult Water Aerobics
- Tuesdays – Swim Skills
- 9am: Ages 3 – 5
- 9:30am: Ages 6 – 8
- 10am: Ages 9 – 10
- 10:30am: Pre-Teens
- Wednesdays – Swim Skills
- 9am: Ages 3 – 5
- 9:30am: Ages 6 – 8
- 10am: Ages 9 – 10
- 10:30am: Adult Water Aerobics
- Thursdays – Swim Skills
- 9am: Ages 3 – 5
- 9:30am: Ages 6 – 8
- 10am: Ages 9 – 10
- 10:30am: Sandcastle Swimmers (Parents and Kids under 2)
- Fridays – Adults
- 6pm – 7pm: Adult Water Aerobics
- 7pm – 8pm: Aqua Line Dancing / Adult Open Swim
- Saturdays – Kids and Adults
- 9am – 10am: Sandcastle Swimmers (Parents and Kids under 2)
- 10am – 11am: Adult Swim Class
REGISTER by emailing swimclub@cityofchesterpa.gov
Summer Food Program
The City of Chester Summer Food Program starts June 29 and runs through August 20!
The City of Chester is pleased to provide FREE, nutritious lunches to children 18 and younger during the summer months, ensuring that children continue to receive meals when they are not in school, as well as fun, games, art, and activities in the park!
Dates: June 29 – August 20
Days: Monday – Thursday
Time: Lunch served at 11am
Locations:
- Memorial Park (swimming pool)
- Christian Church of Chester (308 W 3rd St)
- Highland Gardens (playground)
- Crosby Square (basketball courts)
- Washington Park (1759 Melrose Ave)
Register online or pick up a physical form at City Hall (1 E 4th Street) Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm.
Call 610-447-7700 ext. 7774 for more information!
Other Parks Programming
Double Dutch
Youth AND adults are invited to FREE Double Dutch on Wednesdays from July 1 to August 6!
Dates: Wednesdays July 1 – August 6
Time: 3pm – 4:30pm
Location: Memorial Park
For more information, contact Crystal Burrell at cburrell@cityofchesterpa.gov or 610-479-0466
Summer Boxing Program
The City of Chester is partnering with Ummah Fight Lab to bring a FREE 8-week Summer Boxing Program for Chester youth ages 6+ years old!
Boxing provides many benefits, including:
- Physical health benefits
- Discipline and self-control
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Mental and emotional wellness
- Positive social development
- Safety and violence prevention
- Leadership and life skills
- Strength and character building
Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
Dates: June 22 – August 10
Location: Ummah Fight Lab (51 E 9th St)
Ages 6 – 12: 4pm – 5pm
Ages 12+: 5pm – 6pm
Register now!
Contact Crystal Burrell (cburrell@cityofchesterpa.gov) for more information.
Permit Applications Forms
Permit Fees
Standard Park Permit Fee:
- $200.00 for 4 hours
- $50.00 each additional hour
Wedding / Reception Fee:
- $150.00 any park (standard fees also apply)
- $100 for stage
- $30 for podium, microphone and generator (not available for all events)
$50.00 each additional hour for standard/wedding
Athletic Field Permit Fee:
- $300.00 for 4 hours for 3 month period
Monday through Friday:
- $75.00 each additional hour
- $100.00 additional for Saturday and Sunday in 3 month period for 4 hours
Saturday and Sunday permitted in 4 hour intervals only (no hourly pricing on weekends)
Additional Fees:
- Stage: $100.00
- Podium, Microphone and Generator: $30.00
