Date
Thursday, August 13
Time
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location
Belmont Plateau
Join John Sigmund, Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Director of Partnerships and Sponsorships, for a 3.5 mile hike along a portion of West Fairmount Park’s historic Trolley Trail.
The Fairmount Park Trolley operated in East and West Park from 1896-1946, providing a reliable and enjoyable means of accessing park amenities. Explore the old bridges, tunnels, abutments, and other hidden train infrastructure that give the trail its name. We’ll end at Parks on Tap at Belmont Plateau where participants will be able to connect over cold drinks while taking in the beautiful sunset over the city skyline.
Interested in learning about the brewing history around East Fairmount Park? Join us for our East Park Trails to Ales Hike on August 27.
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.
TICKET PRICES: $10
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
- The hike is roughly two miles over a combination of open parkland and hilly trails (moderate exertion).
- Drinks at Parks on Tap are not part of the ticket cost.
- Please dress according to weather conditions and wear good hiking shoes (boots/sneakers).
- There are bathrooms (restroom trailer) at the end location but not at the start or along the route so please plan accordingly.
- Bring your own water and snack (drinking water is not available in the park).
- We recommend wearing and/or bringing sunscreen and bug spray.
- 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.
- Important pre-event information and any event updates are sent out via email. Please make sure the email address entered is correct and that you check it before coming out to the event.
PARKING/GETTING THERE: We will meet at the parking lot at the intersection of Belmont Mansion and Montgomery Drive, linked here. As always, never leave valuables in your car! If traveling by public transit, the nearest stop is at Belmont Ave and Belmont Mansion/Fairmount Park Drive – a half-mile walk from the start. The closest Indego bike station is at Parkside and Belmont Ave – also a half-mile from the start.
QUESTIONS? Please reach out to programs@myphillypark.org
Enjoy our 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. Learn more and get involved at fairplayphilly.org.
This event will take place in light rain. In the event of heavy rain or other severe conditions, the event will be canceled and attendees are eligible for a full refund.