While construction is underway for the first three FDR Park Plan projects (the Anna C. Verna Playground, Welcome Center, and 33 acre tidal wetland), FDR Park remains open to visitors! We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite ways to enjoy FDR Park this Fall, many of which are FREE!
1. Explore the Southeast Asian Market
South Philly is home to a vibrant Southeast Asian community, with many Khmer, Lao, Vietnamese, and Thai residents who have enjoyed FDR Park for decades. The Southeast Asian Market is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM – 6PM through November, where you’ll find rows of outdoor stalls selling street food, fresh sugarcane juice, tropical fruit smoothies, homemade spice blends, bubble teas, produce, clothing, jewelry, and more. It’s no surprise that Eater Philly named FDR one of the top places Where Philly’s Cambodian Community Leaders Go to Eat. Click here for location details and map.
Want to experience the market with an expert guide? Join us on one of our upcoming Flavors of FDR Food Market Tasting Tours (pay-what-you-can):
Saturday, 9/10 | 10:45AM – 12:30PM
Saturday, 10/15 | 10:45AM – 12:30PM
2. Drop by the Pop-Up Play Space
ICYMI: we partnered with Tiny WPA to build a temporary Pop-Up Play Space on the FDR Park Clubhouse Lawn. The Pop-Up Play Space was officially completed in late July and will remain open to the public until the new, permanent Anna C. Verna Playground is finished in Summer 2023.
We’re also offering FREE drop-in programming at the Pop-Up Play Space with Let’s Go Outdoors:
Saturday, 9/10 | 11:00AM – 1:00PM | Art in the Park
Saturday, 9/17 | 11:00AM – 1:00PM | Bugs in the Grass
Saturday, 10/15 | 11:00AM – 1:00PM | Birding Tic Tac Toe
3. Paddle on the Lakes
Did you know that FDR is the only park with publicly accessible lakes and an active boating program? The park, often referred to as “The Lakes” by locals, has three connected bodies of water: Pattison Lagoon, Edgewood Lake, and Hollander Creek.
We’re partnering with Discovery Pathways to offer guided kayak tours this fall:
Saturday Kayak Tours (pay-what-you-can):
Saturday, 9/17 | 11:00AM – 1:00PM
Saturday, 10/15 | 11:00AM – 1:00PM
Sunset Kayak Tours (pay-what-you-can):
Wednesday, 9/14 | 6:00 – 7:30PM
Wednesday, 10/12 | 5:30 – 7:00PM
We’re also thrilled to offer FREE Community Boating Days for FDR Park neighbors, no pre-registration required:
Saturday, 9/10 | 10:00AM – 1:00PM
Friday, 9/16 | 4:00 – 7:00PM
Saturday, 10/1 | 10:00AM – 1:00PM
4. Bailar at the Boathouse
Want to learn how to dance salsa and bachata? ¡Vamos a Bailar en FDR! Join us at the historic FDR Park Boathouse to experience culture, meet new people, and discover a fun way to keep yourself fit by moving your feet, hosted by DJ Val Flores & Philly Outdoor Bachata & Salsa. Enjoy an all-levels dance lesson from 7 – 8PM followed by a social dance from 8 – 11PM (pay-what-you-can):
Friday, 9/9 | 7:00 – 11:00PM
Friday, 9/23 | 7:00 – 11:00PM
Friday, 10/14 | 7:00 – 11:00PM
Friday, 10/28 | 7:00 – 11:00PM
5. Shred at the Skatepark
Tucked away beneath the I-95 overpass is the FDR Skatepark. This world-renowned skatepark was created over time by skaters, for skaters and adorned with an ever-changing collection of tags and art that make for an engaging visual experience. The skatepark is located on the south side of FDR and is open during park hours – skaters of all ages are welcome!
Plus, learn skateboarding basics at the FDR Skatepark during our adult beginner Skateboarding 101 workshop with instructors from Skate the Foundry, Philly’s premier skateboarding school (pay-what-you-can):
Sunday, 10/9 | 9:00 – 10:00AM
Sunday, 10/9 | 10:15 – 11:15AM
6. Take a walk in the park
Did you know that the Conservancy’s We Walk PHL program, in partnership with the Departments of Public Health and Parks & Recreation, is currently offering 18 places to take a walk in the park? The Fall 2022 season, which runs 9/1 through 10/31, provides opportunities to join FREE weekly walks with the goal of promoting the healthy benefits of walking in nature while building stronger relationships among neighbors.
The FDR Park We Walk PHL group meets at the FDR Park Boathouse on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 8:30AM.
7. Learn more about the FDR Park Plan
With many exciting changes coming to FDR Park over the next several years through the FDR Park Plan, a Walk and Talk tour is a great way to learn more about the plan in person and ask questions. The FREE 2-hour tour meets at the Boathouse and is led by Fairmount Park Executive Director Maura McCarthy and FDR Park Manager Justin DiBerardinis.
8. Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to give back to our parks, and with 348 acres, there’s a lot to maintain at FDR Park!
Check out the Friends of FDR Park GivePulse page for the latest volunteer opportunities.
United by Blue is also hosting a FDR Park Waterway Cleanup on Saturday, 9/24.
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