Committee advances bill encouraging contingency measures for park event permits; safety plans required for events of 2,000 or more

The Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs voted to report a bill that would amend Title 15 of the Philadelphia Code to encourage applicants for event permits on parkland to include contingency and safety measures.

Deputy Commissioner Susan Buck read Commissioner Susan Slauson’s testimony for the Department of Parks and Recreation and told the committee the bill is intended to “encourage applicants for event planning permits to establish contingency measures.” The administration said it supports steps to make public events safer and more accessible.

Councilmember Curtis Jones asked for clarification about the bill’s aim after referencing a recent incident at Lemon Hill and said he wanted assurance that permit applicants would include practical measures such as perimeter controls, access-and-egress plans or wristbands to distinguish attendees. Jones said, “I don’t mean for you to have fences and military‑style trenches, but tell me … something that you hired a security guard or you have an access and egress plan or wristbands to know who is within your group and who is not.”

When Councilmember Jeffrey Young asked whether a size threshold already triggers required safety planning and insurance, Buck answered that “for events … where people note that it would be 2,000 or more, you would be required to have a safety plan and proper insurance.”

The committee moved the bill out with a favorable recommendation and requested suspension of the rules to permit first reading at the next council session. The motion carried on a voice vote.