Philadelphia parks have experienced record usage in recent months. This summer and fall, we are encouraging park-goers to safely explore the lesser-known gems of Fairmount Park and are excited to offer a new digital guide, a free scavenger hunt, in-person guided hikes, and Love Your Park Solo Cleanups.
“We’ve seen over the past few months just how essential parks are for our physical and mental well being,” says our Executive Director Maura McCarthy, Ph.D. “This summer and fall Fairmount Park Conservancy wants to highlight many of the trails, history, and natural areas that Fairmount Park offers and provide new ways of experiencing this treasure.”
Read on for all of the ways to discover what Fairmount Park has to offer!
1. Explore with the Fairmount Park Digital Guide
This new digital guide highlights trails, historic landmarks, and natural areas in Fairmount Park. Pull up the guide when you’re in the park and need to consult a trail route, learn some history, and find less-traveled gems on your own. Click here to view the Fairmount Park Digital Guide.
More Digital Guides
2. Start your journey at Park Hubs
To ease your navigation of Fairmount Park this summer, keep a lookout for our Park Hubs: six spots in East and West Fairmount Park that are great jumping off points for exploring the park:
- Lemon Hill Mansion: 1 Lemon Hill Drive (Directions)
- Mount Pleasant Mansion: 3800 Mount Pleasant Drive (Directions)
- Woodford Mansion: 2300 North 33rd Street (Directions)
- Concourse Lake: South Concourse Drive and Belmont Avenue (Directions)
- Centennial District: Lansdowne Drive and Black Road (Directions)
- Chamounix Drive: Chamounix Drive and South Chamounix Drive (Directions)
3. Join the Fairmount Park Summer Scavenger Hunt
Discover the fascinating facts and stories behind the historic houses, natural areas, and public art of Fairmount Park by participating in a free virtual Fairmount Park Scavenger Hunt, launching Monday, July 27th and running for six weeks! Here’s how to participate:
- Download the free GooseChase app to your smartphone.
- Search for “Fairmount Park Summer Scavenger Hunt”
- Join solo or create a team (limited to 1-3 members)
- Start completing the missions!
New missions will be released every week, and you can play along at your own pace. Top participants will receive prizes, including gift cards to local, minority-owned businesses and Fairmount Park Conservancy merchandise.
4. Meditate, hike, and walk in the park
In-person Conservancy member events will return later this summer at a limited capacity, including guided hikes and meditation, Forest Therapy walks, trail runs, and yoga classes. Member events are free for Conservancy members and $15 for non-members. Click here to view upcoming events and locations.
These events will be capped at 25 attendees or less in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines. All participants will be required to wear a face mask, stay six feet apart from others, and to stay home if they or members of their household are showing any symptoms of COVID-19.
Click here to become a Conservancy member.
5. Love Your Park – solo!
Love Your Park Solo Cleanups encourage all park users to safely clean up trash and litter individually or with members of their household as they enjoy Philly parks this summer. Volunteers can go the extra mile by pledging to track their work online. Love Your Park Solo cleanups aim to help keep Philly parks clean this summer, and offer Philadelphians a rewarding way to give back to these important public spaces. Visit loveyourpark.org for more volunteer opportunities in Philly parks this summer.
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