As we close out the calendar year, we are reflecting on the top 25 moments of 2025! Today, we close out the series by highlighting (in no particular order) key steps taken to ensure the longevity and sustainability of our mission and Philadelphia’s parks.
Be sure to check out our highlights from programs and park investments too!
Partnerships shine bright on Boathouse Row
In its first full calendar year, the Boathouse Row Lighting Partnership managed by the Conservancy arranged 47 unique bookings! These customized lighting requests celebrated graduations, highlighted important causes, championed local sports teams – and much more. With over 16 million potential color combinations in the recently renovated system, there is a light show for every occasion. Best of all, the proceeds from each request raise funds to maintain the lighting system and preserve this iconic local landmark.
Thank you to all our 2025 Lighting Partners for helping us literally keep the lights on, and for sharing your special moments with us!
Park Champion runners set new records
For May’s Broad Street Run, a record number of 150 participants went the extra mile by joining Fairmount Park Conservancy’s long-running team of Park Champions to raise funds to support Philly parks, while in November the Conservancy became a charity partner for Philadelphia Marathon Weekend for the first time, with 50 runners joining us for the marathon and half-marathon. By pairing their personal training goals with a commitment to the greater good, our dedicated Park Champions combined their efforts to raise more than $86,000 for Philly parks through these iconic Philly races.
Photo credit Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Corporate supporters roll up their sleeves
More than 1,430 volunteers joined us at 63 events in East and West Fairmount Park, FDR Park, and Cobbs Creek Park in 2025, contributing thousands of volunteer hours to cleaning and greening, planting 498 trees and 381 shrubs, and tending to 1,120 trees.
Our corporate supporters stepped up in a big way – with 28 companies contributing $110,000 to Philly parks while bringing 632 employees out for team-building activities including park clean-ups, tree plantings and tree care, and other beautification efforts in the areas that need it most.
A preservation win for Ohio House
In March, the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia awarded a 2025 Grand Jury Award to the Conservancy for the restoration and adaptive reuse of Ohio House in West Fairmount Park.
This historic building, originally built for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, now serves as the primary office for the Conservancy and an accessible hub for park stewardship and community events.
The Conservancy’s investment and presence in the Center for Parks at Ohio House are a testament to our commitment to preserving history in service of a bright and meaningful future for Philadelphia parks. While the Conservancy’s mission is to serve all of the city’s parks, by committing to this location in the heart of West Park our organization is proud to be anchored and engaged in Fairmount Park and the surrounding West Philadelphia community.
Welcoming leadership for our next chapter
In October, we welcomed Anthony “Tony” Sorrentino as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Conservancy. Tony is a highly respected leader with deep roots in civic engagement, urban planning, and strategic communications, bringing more than 25 years of experience advancing transformative initiatives across Philadelphia’s cultural, academic, and nonprofit sectors.
Tony’s proven ability to build partnerships, drive innovation, and embrace diverse stakeholders will be instrumental in advancing our mission to make Philadelphia’s parks accessible and relevant for all. These strengths position him well to guide the organization as it continues to grow into a model for inclusive, resilient, and vibrant public spaces.
Launching a new era for Philly parks
This year, the Conservancy publicly launched the Fair Play Campaign, an historic fundraising effort to strengthen Philadelphia’s greatest asset: our city’s parks and the communities they serve.
This transformative undertaking will raise over $100 million dollars that will serve as a financial catalyst for our long-term vision of creating healthy park infrastructure, expanding our public programs, and preparing our organization for the future. Reaching this goal will allow the Conservancy to make a significant impact in West Fairmount Park and FDR Park, enhance public programs in many of Philadelphia’s parks, and strengthen our ability to meet the needs of park lovers and users today and for generations to come!
The future is bright
Through the Fair Play campaign, we are securing the longevity of our mission and Philadelphia’s public parks. With your support we are committed to making sure our parks are vibrant, welcoming, and accessible to all – for generations to come. Learn more and get involved at fairplayphilly.org!
