If you’re looking for free and fun ways to explore different Philadelphia parks this spring, look no further. In honor of Love Your Park Week (May 9-17), Fairmount Park Conservancy and partners are hosting dozens of free and activities for parkgoers of all ages!
Love Your Park Week is a nine-day celebration of Philadelphia’s public parks, and is best known for featuring 100+ volunteer projects organized by local Park Friends groups.
But enjoying your local park is just as important as caring for it – and there’s no reason you can’t do both! Check out this year’s options for outdoor exploration, entertainment, and creativity.
Free Love Your Park Events
Love Your Park / Washington Square West Open Garden Day
Saturday, May 9 | 9 AM – 12 PM | Sartain and Waverly Gardens
Hosted by Farm Philly and Washington Square West Civic Association
Stewardship Saturday – Volunteers Needed!
Saturday, May 9 | 9 AM – 12 PM | John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Hosted by John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, May 9 | 10 AM – 12 PM | John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Hosted by John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Second Saturday Guided Hike: Family Hike + Bioblitz
Saturday, May 9 | 10 AM – 12 PM | Concourse Lake, West Fairmount Park
Hosted by Fairmount Park Conservancy and the Philadelphia Zoo
City Nature Challenge Identification Day
Saturday, May 9 | 10 AM – 1 PM | Laurel Hill West
Hosted by Laurel Hill Cemetery
Saturday, May 9 | 10 AM – 1 PM | Discovery Center, East Fairmount Park
Hosted by Audubon Mid-Atlantic
Love Your Park / Washington Square West Open Garden Day
Saturday, May 9 | 10 AM – 2 PM | South Street Garden
Hosted by Farm Philly and Washington Square West Civic Association
Love Your Park Week – Trees of the Forest Walk
Monday, May 11 | 1 – 2:30 PM | Wissahickon Environmental Center
Hosted by the Wissahickon Environmental Center
Wednesday, May 13 | 12 – 1:30 PM | Wissahickon Environmental Center
Hosted by the Wissahickon Environmental Center
Wednesday, May 13 | 5 – 7 PM | Gillin Boathouse, West Fairmount Park
Hosted by Fairmount Park Conservancy and BLJ Community Rowing
Try Archery for Adults and Kids Aged 8+
Thursday, May 14 | 4 – 6 PM | John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Hosted by John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Friday, May 15 | 9 – 10:30 AM | Wissahickon Environmental Center
Hosted by the Wissahickon Environmental Center
Discovery Center Fence Removal Project
Friday, May 15 | 4 – 7 PM | Discovery Center, East Fairmount Park
Hosted by the Discovery Center
Friday Flicks at the Fountain: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (PG)
Friday, May 15 | 7:30 – 10 PM | Welsh Fountain, West Fairmount Park
Hosted by Fairmount Park Conservancy with pre-movie activity provided by the Free Library of Philadelphia
Saturday, May 16 | 8 – 11 AM | John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Hosted by John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, May 16 | 9 – 11 AM | Discovery Center, East Fairmount Park
Hosted by Audubon Mid-Atlantic
Beginner Nature Photography with Jeff Linder
Saturday, May 16 | 10 AM – 12 PM | John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Hosted by John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Community Paddle Boating at FDR Park
Saturday, May 16 | 10 AM – 2 PM | FDR Park Boathouse
Hosted by Fairmount Park Conservancy and Independence Seaport Museum
Heat Resilience Community Event
Saturday, May 16 | 11 AM | North Star Park
Hosted by Centennial Parkside CDC
Nurture with Nature: Journey & Journal into Spring
Saturday, May 16 | 3 – 5 PM | Laurel Hill West
Hosted by Laurel Hill Cemetery
Volunteer Flag Placement: Preparing to Honor America’s Heroes
Sunday, May 17 | 10 AM – 12 PM | Laurel Hill East
Hosted by Laurel Hill Cemetery
Bird Walk with Mary Ellen Krober
Sunday, May 17 | 8 – 10 AM | John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Hosted by John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Love Your Park Watercolor at the Boardwalk
Sunday, May 17 | 1 – 3 PM | John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Hosted by John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
We Walk PHL Weekly Walking Groups
Did you know that Fairmount Park Conservancy and the Departments of Public Health and Parks & Recreation offer weekly walking groups in several park locations across Philadelphia? The We Walk PHL spring season runs from 5/1 – 6/30 and newcomers are always welcome, so Love Your Park Week is a great opportunity to connect with a local walking group near you!
Love Your Park Week runs May 9-17
Find a volunteer project or free activity near you at loveyourpark.org
