Spring has sprung! We’ve rounded up 9 ways to enjoy Philly parks this season with Fairmount Park Conservancy:
1. Stargaze
Join astronomy educator Buddy Muhler and stargazers of all ages at Lemon Hill to learn about the wonders of the night sky. A high powered telescope will be available to share, but attendees are also encouraged to bring their own equipment. ($15)
Thursday, 3/21 | 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 5/21 | 8:30 – 10:30 p.m.
2. Find your peaceful place in the greenspace
Experience the restorative power of nature at Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park.
Hike + Sound Healing Meditation
Manage your stress, improve your well-being, and literally find your grounding with a one-of-a-kind immersive experience with Eunmi Chang. Join a guided hike along the Lemon Hill Rim Trail, followed by a peaceful sound healing meditation at Lemon Hill Mansion. ($35)
Saturday, 4/6 | 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Yoga in the Park
Start your day with serenity with an all-levels yoga class at Lemon Hill Mansion, led by a rotation of local Tula Yoga instructors. ($15)
Sunday, 4/7 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, 4/14 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, 4/21 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, 4/28 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, 5/5 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, 5/12 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, 5/19 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Earth Day Hike + Meditation
Celebrate Earth Day with a peaceful hike along the trails with ecotherapist and Lenape language keeper Krista Nelson. ($15)
Sunday, 4/21 | 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
3. Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to give back to our parks!
Individual volunteer workdays
All are welcome to join us for our individual volunteer workdays to help with removing invasive species, weeding, trash pick-up, trail maintenance, and more:
West Park Community Tree Planting
Tuesday, 4/9 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 4/17 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
FDR Park Community Planting: Arbor Day
Friday, 4/26 | 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Love Your Park Week
Plus, save the date for Love Your Park Week May 11-19! Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy, and Park Friends Groups across the city team up to host volunteer events, encouraging residents to show love to their neighborhood parks. Volunteer registration for Love Your Park Week opens April 1 at loveyourpark.org.
4. Learn more on a tour
There’s so much to explore in our parks, and we’ve got some great options to learn more with a guide:
West Park Bird Hike
Join us for a bird-watching hike along the Trolley Trail in West Fairmount Park, led by experienced birder Holger Pflicke. Together, we’ll learn to guide our eyes and ears as we look and listen for woodpeckers, sparrows, thrushes, warblers, and more. ($15)
Saturday, 4/13 | 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Guided Bike Tour of East Fairmount Park
Enjoy an eight-mile, all-levels bike ride highlighting the history, hidden gems, and stories of interesting places in East Fairmount Park led by experienced bike tour guide Graham Robb. (free in celebration of Love Your Park Week)
Saturday, 5/11 | 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
5. Enjoy the new Anna C. Verna Playground
ICYMI: Last fall, we celebrated the grand opening of the Anna C. Verna Playground at FDR Park, which features an extraordinary 20-swing set (the largest in North America!), custom-designed birdhouse structures with slides and climbing areas, log scrambles, an adventure path, and new picnic areas.
To celebrate this new, inclusive playground, Fairmount Park Conservancy is hosting regular free, family-friendly pop-up events starting in April. The theme for the spring pop-up events is “Music in the Park”:
Family-Friendly Concert with Two of a Kind
Saturday, 4/20 | 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Storytime with the Free Library
Tuesday, 5/7 | 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Making Music with Mr. John
Saturday, 5/18 | 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Making Music with Mr. John
Tuesday, 6/4 | 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Movement and Melodies with Music Play Patrol
Saturday, 6/15 | 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
6. Bailar en FDR
Want to learn how to dance salsa and bachata? ¡Vamos a Bailar en FDR! Join us at the historic FDR Park Boathouse to experience culture, meet new people, and discover a fun way to keep yourself fit by moving your feet, hosted by DJ Val Flores & Philly Outdoor Bachata & Salsa. Enjoy an all-levels dance lesson from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. followed by a social dance from 8:30 – 11:30 p.m. (free)
Friday, 4/26 | 7:30 – 11:30 p.m.
Friday, 5/31 | 7:30 – 11:30 p.m.
7. Walk with new friends
Did you know that the Conservancy’s We Walk PHL program, in partnership with the Departments of Public Health and Parks & Recreation, offers several places to take a walk in the park across the city? The spring 2024 season, which runs 5/1 through 6/30, provides opportunities to join FREE weekly walks to promote the health benefits of walking in nature while building stronger relationships among neighbors.
The spring schedule will be announced soon! For updates and inspiration year-round, please visit the We Walk PHL public group page on Facebook.
8. Watch Friday Flicks at the Fountain
Grab a blanket, meet up with friends and family, and join Fairmount Park Conservancy for an evening under the stars in Parkside! Movie nights will take place at the John Welsh Memorial Fountain across the street from the Please Touch Museum in West Fairmount Park. All events are 7:30 – 10:30 p.m., with the movie starting around 8:30 p.m. (free)
Friday, 5/3 | 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. | Toy Story 4 (PG)
in partnership with the Please Touch Museum
Friday, 5/10 | 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. | Kubo and the Two Strings (PG)
in partnership with Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center
Friday, 5/17 | 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. | Migration (PG)
in partnership with the Philadelphia Zoo
9. Run for the Parks
Miss out on the Broad Street Run lottery? Get a guaranteed bib for the 10-mile run on Sunday, 5/5 and other perks when you join Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Charity Team and help raise funds for Philly’s parks!
Learn more & join our team
