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:

Penn Park

Highline Green

Hill Square

General Policies

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 without a leash is prohibited on lawns. (Note: Penn's full Bicycle Policy can be found here: Bicycle Policy)
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 use of lawns at any time due to field conditions and maintenance requirements.
8. No smoking ordinance. Pursuant to City of Philadelphia Ordinance Bill # 050063-A, no smoking is allowed inside any University of Pennsylvania Facility and no smoking is allowed within twenty (20') feet of any entrance to any University of Pennsylvania Facility or within twenty five (25') of any entrance to a LEED certified facility. A CVN (code violation notice) violation 10-602d is $100. A fine can total $300.00.
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

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.

A Penn Park map can be found here. For a walk/run loop map with distances, click here.

For more general information about Penn Park, read our FAQ's.

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 here.

Reservations for Penn Park

To reserve spaces, please use the Facility Rental Request Form on the Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics website.

Please note that South Green (the area closest to the South Street Bridge) will not be available to reserve until Spring 2012.

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.

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

Send an email to reserve Highline Green.

Hill Square

The open space is bounded by 33rd, 34th, Walnut, and Chestnut Streets. Landscaping and lighting accentuate a poplar-lined, curving brick walkway integrated with 125 Years, a sculpture by Jenny Holzer.

1. Use of the lawn is prohibited after dusk.

Send an email to reserve Hill Square.