Fall is the perfect time to visit Philadelphia’s public parks. With over 10,000 acres of park land in Philadelphia, there’s so much to explore as temperatures cool and the trees’ fall colors emerge.
Fairmount Park Conservancy brings parks to life with projects, partnerships, and public programs designed to connect everyone with the city’s incredible parks. There’s a lot in store this fall. Here’s the Conservancy’s guide to making the most of the season:
Special Events
Family Field Day
West Fairmount Park
Game on! Join Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, and Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative for a fun-filled family field day on Saturday, September 20, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Taking place at the Rugby Fields at Welsh Fountain in West Fairmount Park, the Family Field Day is a full day of activities, including youth sports, music, prizes, free face painting, pay-as-you-go food trucks, and more. Advance registration is encouraged. (Free)
William Still Walk
West Fairmount Park
Save the date – Saturday, October 4 – for this year’s William Still Walk, honoring the “Father of the Underground Railroad,” William Still (born October 7, 1821), and all the freedom seekers who traversed the lands of present-day Fairmount Park. Free RSVP (Update: Sold out)
Fiesta de los Muertos
FDR Park
La Fiesta de los Muertos is back! Fairmount Park Conservancy’s annual celebration in FDR Park is an opportunity to celebrate and learn about Mexico’s popular Día de los Muertos holiday. La gran fiesta has it all: art, music, dancing, food, crafts, and more. Stop by the FDR Park Boathouse on Saturday, October 25 from 5-8 p.m. Advance registration is encouraged (Free)
Interested in celebrating Día de los Muertos all week long? Check out these additional events!
- Community Art Workshop with Cesar Viveros | Wednesday, October 22 | 4 – 6 PM
- Bailar en FDR: Salsa Class + Social Dance | Friday, October 24 | 7 – 11 PM
- Plus, visit the art installation at the FDR Park Boathouse from Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26, any time during park hours.
Love Your Park Fall Weekend
Citywide
Fall means leaves on the ground, which means Philadelphia’s parks need some extra love as they get ready for winter. Join hundreds of volunteers November 14-16 for the annual Love Your Park Fall Weekend, taking place in neighborhood parks across the city. Love Your Park is a partnership between Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and the Park Friends Network. Volunteer registration kicks off in October. (Free)
Fall Program Series
Community Paddle Boating
FDR Park
Join Fairmount Park Conservancy and Independence Seaport Museum for free paddle boating at FDR Park on select dates. Paddle boats are an easy and safe way for families and people of all ages to explore Edgewood Lake, just behind the FDR Park Boathouse. Kid-friendly binoculars are provided to spot turtles, ducks, blooming flowers, and maybe even a great blue heron – the long-legged shore bird the boats are shaped after. (Free)
- Unfortunately, community boating on Friday, September 6 is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. But the movie night is still on! Come join us at the FDR Park Boathouse Lawn from 7:45 to 9:45 PM for an outdoor screening of Moana 2.
- Saturday, November 1 | 10 AM – 2 PM
Looking for more ways to get on the water? Join Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia City Rowing on the Schuylkill River for an Intro to Rowing on Saturday, September 6 from 12 – 5 PM. (Free)
Events at The Yard
Strawberry Mansion
Have you been to The Yard on John Coltrane Street yet? This new outdoor public space is managed by the Strawberry Mansion CDC and located at the neighborhood edge of East Fairmount Park behind the famous John Coltrane House. It’s perfect for all kinds of events, from yoga classes to movie nights. Fairmount Park Conservancy is partnering with The Yard for a series of events.
- Chair Yoga | Tuesday, September 9 | 6:30 – 7:15 PM
- Movie Night (“Dreamgirls”) | Friday, September 12 | 7-9 PM
Parkside and Centennial District Walking Tours
West Fairmount Park
Join Fairmount Park Conservancy and Michael Burch (science educator, community organizer, and founder of the Parkside Journal) for a two-mile walking tour of the scenic, historic Parkside neighborhood.
- Saturday, September 13 | 10 AM – 12:30 PM
- Sunday, October 19 | 10 AM – 12:30 PM
Wellness Wednesdays
West Fairmount Park
Join Fairmount Park Conservancy and Coach Shay of Inner Sanctuary Wellness on the last Wednesday of every month, for a meditative and reflective program in the green space of West Fairmount Park. (Free)
- Wednesday, August 27 | 6:30 – 8 PM
- Wednesday, September 24 | 5:45 – 7:15 PM
- Wednesday, October 15 | 5 – 6:30 PM
Second Saturday Guided Hikes
West Fairmount Park
Join Fairmount Park Conservancy and a rotating set of knowledgeable instructors for a free guided hike series in West Fairmount Park on the second Saturday of each month. (Free)
- Birdwatching | Saturday, September 13 | 10 AM – 12 PM
- Tree Tour | Saturday, October 11 | 10 AM – 12 PM
Looking for even more hike options in West Fairmount Park? Join the Conservancy on Saturday, September 28 for a Trolley Trail Hike exploring the remains of the Fairmount Park Trolley line, which carried visitors through the park from 1896 to 1946. ($10)
¡BAILAR en FDR! Salsa Class + Social Dance
FDR Park
Join Fairmount Park Conservancy and DJ Valentin Flores on select Fridays from 7 – 11 PM at the historic FDR Park Boathouse (note – special location August 22). The program begins with a one-hour dance lesson followed by a social dance. The lesson is taught by an experienced instructor, who will accommodate all levels. (Free)
- Friday, September 26 | 7:30 – 11 PM
- Friday, October 24 | 7 – 11 PM
Yoga in the Park
East Fairmount Park
Join the Conservancy and Tula Yoga in the green fields of East Fairmount Park for a series of free outdoor yoga classes on select Sundays. All ages and levels of experience are welcome. (Free)
- Sunday, September 14 | 10 – 11 AM
- Sunday, October 12 | 10 – 11 AM
- Sunday, November 9 | 10 – 11 AM
Park after Dark: Moonwalk + Stargazing Party
East Fairmount Park
Join Fairmount Park Conservancy and astronomer/educator Buddy Muhler for a one-mile guided moonwalk and telescope observation. Learn a little about the history of the area as well as the nocturnal animals that call the forest home. Every first Tuesday through October. ($15)
- Tuesday, September 2 | 7:45 – 9:45 PM
- Tuesday, October 7 | 7 – 9 PM
- Wednesday, November 5 | 6 – 8 PM
Volunteer Days
Multiple parks
Did you know that volunteering not only benefits our parks, but it can provide physical, emotional, and social benefits too? Plus, shared activities – like watering, weeding, and planting – are a great way to meet others and form new friendships. Make a friend this fall and help us give back to Philadelphia parks at one of Fairmount Park Conservancy’s upcoming Community Workdays:
- Parkside Edge Community Workday Thursday, August 28, | 9 AM – 12 PM
- Johnny Sample Rec Center at Cobbs Creek – Community Planting Friday, September 12 | 5 PM – 7PM
- FDR Park Monthly Community Workday Thursday, September 18 | 9 AM – 12 PM
We Walk PHL
Multiple Parks
We Walk PHL is a partnership between Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, offering weekly community walking groups in parks across Philadelphia. The fall season begins on September 1 and runs through October 31. (Free) Learn more about We Walk PHL
Play it Forward with the Fair Play Campaign
Enjoy Fairmount Park Conservancy’s park programs? Play it forward for Philly parks! Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Fair Play Campaign is creating healthy park infrastructure, expanding people-centered programs, and preparing our organization for the future. Join the Conservancy in creating a new era for Philadelphia’s parks. Learn more, get involved, or donate at fairplayphilly.org.
