On Saturday June 14, FDR Park is the pla(y)ce to be! Join us for a day of free and fun activities, music, and food as we celebrate the launch of our Fair Play campaign and mark the official opening of the Gateway Plaza.
Join Fairmount Park Conservancy for a fun-filled Saturday at FDR Park! To celebrate the launch of the Conservancy’s Fair Play Campaign, all of FDR Park will be buzzing on June 14 with free activities, exclusive park tours, snacks, and entertainment. This event is for all ages, and advance registration is recommended for pre-event information.
Highlights include:
- Kids’ music and dance activities
- Free snacks and treats at the Gateway Plaza (while supplies last)
- Tours of park projects
- Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the brand-new, $6 million Gateway Plaza
- Youth sports! Football, basketball, soccer, baseball, and hockey
- Free paddle boating
- Pay-as-you-go food trucks
Check out the full event schedule below!
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GATEWAY PLAZA GRAND OPENING
10 AM – 12 PM | Ribbon Cutting at 11 AM
Celebrate the grand opening of FDR Park’s Gateway Plaza — Philly’s newest town square — at this all-ages party! From 10 AM – 12 PM, Mister Boom Boom’s Music Play Patrol will lead dance, music, and movement activities for young children. Swing by for free snacks, check out the plaza’s new water misters, and dance to selections by DJ C-Rob. At 11 AM, join the historic ribbon-cutting ceremony with Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, elected officials and community members, marking the official debut of this tree-lined plaza complete with custom benches and a striking 6-foot-tall “FDR” sculpture.
PADDLE BOATING
10 AM – 2 PM at the FDR Boathouse
Ahoy! Stop by Edgewood Lake for a free paddle boating session, hosted by Fairmount Park Conservancy. Fun for all ages and open to any level of experience, your paddle boat can take you from the Boathouse to all corners of FDR Park’s largest lake. Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult and be above the life jacket weight limit in order to participate.
BIOBLITZ
11 AM – 1 PM at the Anna C. Verna Playground
Join us for a guided BioBlitz nature walk through FDR Park! Together, we’ll explore the park’s diverse riparian habitat — while identifying as many plant and animal species as we can. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just curious about the outdoors, this is a great opportunity to connect with nature and contribute to community science. Bring your smartphone, water, and your sense of wonder!
WE WALK PHL
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM, meet at the Gateway Plaza
Lace up your sneakers and join the popular We Walk PHL social walking group for a stroll through FDR Park. Get your steps in, enjoy park scenery, and make new connections in this approximately one-hour walk. We Walk PHL is a citywide social walking program led by Fairmount Park Conservancy, the Departments of Public Health and Parks & Recreation, and volunteer walk leaders. FDR Park’s group meets on Tuesdays and Saturdays every week in May and June!
FAMILY FIELD DAY
11:30 AM – 2 PM at the Boathouse Lawn
Game on! Stop by Boathouse Lawn for a free Family Field Day with sports activities for kids of all ages, supported by Philadelphia’s professional teams. Soccer, football, basketball, baseball, hockey — we’ve got something for every young athlete to try. Special thanks to our partners including Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative, the Philadelphia Union, the Philadelp hia Eagles , the Philadelphia Flyers, EPYSA, Philadelphia Youth Basketball, and Sigma Sharks Youth Organization.