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, the following regulations have been adopted.

General Policy

1. No motorized vehicles shall be permitted on lawns or planted areas.
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 is prohibited on lawns.
   (Note: Penn's full Bicycle Policy can be found here: VPUL - EVP Bicycle Policy 1994)
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. 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.
6. Facilities & Real Estate Services reserves the right to prohibit use of lawns at any time due to field conditions and maintenance requirements.

   Additional Provisions: Planned Events

7. Event planners must contact appropriate Building Administrators to obatain permission and coordinate the use of the area.
8. Event planners must contact Facilities & Real Estate Services to schedule for trash and recycling bin delivery. Fees will be assesed for this service.
9. Lawns may not be used within two (2) days, after significant rainfall (greater than 1/2") or when lawn is obviously wet and spongy.
10. Facilities & Real Estate Services reserves the right to conduct pre- and post event inspections of the site to document conditions.
11. Temporary structures for events or gatherings such as tents, tables, and chairs or related equipment shall be set up on protective surfaces such as temporary wood flooring on hard surfaces, or wood chips on lawns. No equipment or related materials shall be left on lawns and must be removed within 24 hours of the event.
12. No outdoor cooking on plazas, terraces, patios, etc. is permitted. When cooking on lawn areas and parking lots, protect ground surface with a plywood covering of approximately twice the area of the cooking surface.
13. When special events are planned where existing sanitary facilities are absent or inadequate, the sponsor will be required to obtain portable facilities. One (1) porta-potty is required for each anticipated 100 participants.
14. Facilities & Real Estate Services should be contacted for access to power or water sources, or the use of golf carts for transportation of equipment.
15. Facilities & Real Estate Services will determine the necessity of temporary fencing to protect plantings or control entry for major events. The cost of fencing is the responsibility of the user.
16. Distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages must be in compliance with state, county and local zoning ordinances and laws and University regulations.
17. All clean up is the responsibility of the user. Any additional clean up or repair required to return the area to its condition prior to the event will be provided by Facilities & Real Estate Services at the expense of the user.
18. Temporary Signage. See University Campus-Wide Exterior Signage Policy.

Additional Provisions: Highline Green

Highline Green is defined as the space bounded by Chestnut Street on the north, 31st Street on the east, the edge of the right-of-way beneath Walnut Street on the south, and the paved vehicular area on the west. The Lawn is defined as the seeded area.

1. All organized or non-organized activity, is prohibited beneath the overhead railroad right-of-way and between the railroad support structures.
2. No unauthorized person is permitted within any use area of the Penn Children's Center
3. Use of the lawn is prohibited after dusk.

Facilities & Real Estate Services / Urban Park may be contacted at 215.898.7202