FDR Park is an extremely well-used and well-loved park that serves Philadelphia’s diverse, ever-changing population by providing open spaces for gathering, recreation, and enjoying nature. The park has always been and continues to be a natural oasis and welcoming space for high-need populations including immigrant and refugee communities and underserved communities. However, the park today struggles with underfunding, deferred maintenance, and frequent flooding. While the park faces many challenges, the opportunities at this 348-acre site are unique and unlike any other park in the region.

FDR Park suffers from frequent flooding, even after a mild rain, because of low-lying land. Without intervention, the park will revert to a tidal marsh in the hotter, wetter future Philadelphia faces. With the FDR Park Plan, this is the first time in Philadelphia that a park plan has incorporated climate change projections as well as resiliency, including a comprehensive hydrology study that informed the entire plan. The plan reimagines the park’s topography in two zones – nature at the center and activity around the edges, with plenty of space for everyone.

The two zones are the Ecological Core and the Urban Edge. The Ecological Core will improve water flow and increase the park’s capacity to manage water, while providing native habitat for wildlife. Located in the heart of the park, the Ecological Core will make up 60% (209 acres) of the 348-acre park, including more natural meadows, wetlands, trails, and water access points. With the soil removed from the Ecological Core, the Urban Edge can be raised up out of the floodplain in key areas, allowing for investments that transform the perimeter of FDR Park, including an accessible playground, sports fields, and open lawn spaces.

The FDR Park Plan will increase access to nature and green space with the Ecological Core, and introduce sustainable natural lands to the park for the first time. The Ecological Core will encompass 60% (209 acres) of the 348-acre park and include more natural meadows, wetlands, trails, and water access points.

Completed projects:

• Wetlands: A 33-acre tidal wetland constructed in partnership with PHL Airport includes thousands of climate-resilient native trees and shrubs, manages tidal flow in the estuarial park, and supports local wildlife. Nearby, a newly built 2.5-acre wetland uses “hummock and hollow” topography to foster biodiversity and ecological resilience.

More to come:

• The lakes will feature elevated boardwalks, a wooded picnic grove, and increased access points for fishing and paddling.
• Restored and accessible riparian edges (shorelines) of the lakes.
• The marsh area will provide park users with new water access to an expanded and restored Shedbrook Creek.
• An expanded trail network.

With the Ecological Core at the heart of the park improving water management and providing wildlife habitat, the Urban Edge can be elevated up out of the floodplain in key areas, allowing for investments that transform the perimeter of FDR Park. In the Urban Edge, athletic fields, basketball and tennis courts, and playgrounds will be tied together by a 5K multi-use trail and frequent spots to picnic, purchase refreshments, and play.

Completed projects:

• Anna C. Verna Playground: the award-winning playground featuring North America’s largest swing set was created by experts in play and landscape design. This 2-acre playground on the banks of Pattison Lagoon integrates nature and play, and includes custom-designed structures, picnic sites, and new native plantings.
• Gateway Plaza: This pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly entryway to the park at Pattison Avenue and Broad Street is close to the Broad Street Subway line and a new bike path. A 6-foot-tall “FDR” sign welcomes visitors as they begin their park adventure, while custom benches, water misters, and tree groves make this entryway a destination in its own right.
• Welcome Center: Fairmount Park Conservancy led the historic preservation and adaptive reuse of the park’s original guard house (circa 1919) into the park’s first-ever Welcome Center. This LEED Gold-certified complex spanning 22,000 square feet includes offices for park management and program operations, public amenities such as food and beverage concessions in a courtyard setting, public restrooms, a terrace overlooking Pattison Lagoon, and a hall for events.

More to come:

• A Great Lawn on the east side of Meadow Lake
• Picnic grove
• Franklin 5K loop trail
• Multisport fields
• Baseball/softball fields
• Tennis courts
• Basketball courts

Yes, the fields will be open for public use and have a clear permitting system. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s policy is to always prioritize youth access to athletic fields and courts and to waive permit fees for youth sports teams.

To ensure community access to the fields, Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will continue to work with the Friends of FDR Park, other long-time stakeholders in the park (such as youth sports teams who have been playing there) as well as elected officials who represent the park and its users, to ensure equitable community access to the fields.