Patrick Morgan serves as a Distinguished Resident Fellow for Civic Design overseeing civic design projects, community-centered planning efforts, and research initiatives aimed at having a lasting impact on Philadelphia, the Delaware Valley Region, and beyond. Previously he served as the 1st Deputy Commissioner, Strategy & Engagement with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR) providing leadership for various public-facing units within the department. Morgan oversaw the implementation of PPR’s first Strategic Plan, the plan called for resident-centered reforms in support of high-quality relevant programs accessible to all and care of the built and natural environment. Patrick also represented the department on citywide strategic policy initiatives and planning efforts such as the Reimagining of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Civic Engagement, Urban Agriculture, Racial Equity, Greenworks 2.0, Green City Clean Waters, and the Climate Action Plan. 

Previously, Patrick was the Philadelphia based Program Director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. He led Knight’s investment strategy in Philadelphia managing a portfolio of community-focused grants totaling over $26 million. Through this work Knight invested in revitalizing and connecting public spaces to help foster more informed and engaged communities. Morgan worked with partners to support reconnecting residents to their waterfront by converting a vacant pier into Cherry Street Pier a “game-changing” mixed-use public space and placing residents at the center of the design and building of a new flagship public space on top of I-95. Patrick also initiated the creation of a citywide civic engagement strategy working with partners and community groups across public spaces. As part of this effort, Knight-funded support and activities helped jumpstart participation and energy around public spaces. Patrick helped to lead a partnership with the William Penn Foundation to pilot a new national initiative - Reimagining the Civic Commons - in Philadelphia, which has now been replicated in multiple other U.S. cities. These cities are now exploring how public spaces can foster more equitable, inclusive, and engaged communities. 

Prior to joining Knight, Patrick held leadership positions in Mayor Nutter’s administration, including Chief of Staff to the Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources and Assistant Managing Director. He helped to support the merger of the Fairmount Park Commission and the Department of Recreation as well as develop innovative public initiatives to increase the urban tree canopy, promote an equitable food system, create new public parks and play spaces, as well as advance workforce development, digital literacy, and community engagement.