Join John Sigmund, Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Director of Sponsorships and Partnerships, for a hiking tour to explore the history of brewing and beer gardens around East Fairmount Park. Naturally, we’ll end the hike at a modern-day park beer garden – the Waterworks Cider House and Beer Garden!

As the name of the Brewerytown neighborhood that borders East Park indicates, Philadelphia was a beer-brewing town. In fact, in the late 19th century, with over 30 breweries, we were the brewing capital of America! Before the city created the park, the banks of the Schuylkill River were valuable to emerging breweries for the harvesting and storage of ice and for the cold storage of lager beer in underground vaults. Also, after acquiring several historic houses with the establishment of Fairmount Park, the city sought ways to re-adapt them and the properties were leased as beer gardens enjoyed by a growing German population. The hike will discuss this and many other intoxicating aspects of beer history in Fairmount Park.

PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a loop hike! It’s a one-way hike beginning at Mount Pleasant Mansion and ending at the Waterworks Cider House and Beer Garden. We strongly suggest using Uber/Lyft, public transit, or Indego bike share to arrive at the starting point so you do not have to return for your vehicle/bike.

• Starting Location: Mount Pleasant Mansion (3800 Mt Pleasant Drive, Philadelphia PA 19121)
• Ending location: Waterworks Cider and Beer Garden (640 Waterworks Drive, Philadelphia PA 19130)

INSTRUCTOR BIO: John Sigmund is a multidisciplinary artist, history lover, and urban park enthusiast with years of experience as a nonprofit manager and arts educator. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he spent a decade living in Austin, San Antonio, and New York City, but made a happy homecoming to go back to school at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. John has the proud distinction of actually living in Fairmount Park– he and his partner, Jaime, are resident caretakers at Lemon Hill Mansion. And although Lemon Hill is his home base, John is an enthusiastic advocate for all of the historic houses in the park system.

ABOUT COSMIC CAFE, THE COSMIC FOUNDATION, AND THE WATERWORKS CIDER AND BEER GARDEN: The Cosmic Foundation was founded in 2018 by Peg Botto, owner and chef at Cosmic Catering. She has a background in Human Services as a QIDP (Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional) and has carried that experience with her in the food business. Cosmic hires and trains employees who have developmental disabilities. Most staff start out as dishwashers and then are trained in other areas. A percentage of all profits from Cosmic Cafe and the Waterworks Cider and Beer Garden go towards the Cosmic Foundation, which helps disabled individuals learn valuable life skills that will help them in their everyday tasks. To find out more about the Cosmic Cafe/Foundation, click here.

TICKET PRICES: $10

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

• The hike is roughly two miles over a combination of open parkland and hilly trails (moderate exertion).
• Please dress according to weather conditions and wear good hiking shoes (boots/sneakers).
• Bring your own water and snack (drinking water is not available in the park).
• Bring bug spray and sunscreen.
• There are bathrooms at the end location but not at the start or along the route, so please plan accordingly.
• Drinks at the Waterworks Cider and Beer Garden are not part of the ticket cost.
• Well-behaved dogs on leashes are permitted on the hike and in the beer garden.
• Special notes for the beer garden: The beer garden is 21+ to enter with valid, government-issued photo identification. Children, families, and anyone under 21 are welcome to join as long as they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

PARKING/GETTING THERE: There is plenty of free parking in the park. As always, never leave valuables in your car! We strongly suggest using Uber/Lyft, public transit, or Indego bike share to arrive at the starting point so you do not have to return for your vehicle/bike. The closest bus stop/Indego station to the starting location is at 33rd and Oxford – a roughly 15-minute walk along Reservoir Drive to Mount Pleasant.

QUESTIONS?: Feel free to reach out to programs@myphillypark.org.

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