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10 Things to Do at FDR Park Philadelphia this Fall

We first became familiar with Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park (FDR Park Philadelphia) this past spring when we visited the Philadelphia Flower Show. The park was filled with so many beautiful flower displays and large activities it was a bit hard to appreciate just all this Philadelphia park offers. But I saw enough to know I wanted to go back and revisit.

Philadelphia Flower Show at FDR Park

Now, with these 10 things to do at FDR Park Philadelphia provided by the Fairmount Park Conservancy, I’ve got 10 reasons to plan a return visit.

Our thanks to the organizations that support FDR Park and that helped with creating this guide to things to do at FDR Park with kids this fall.

About Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park (FDR Park Philadelphia)

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park (FDR Park) is Philadelphia’s iconic 348-acre park carved out of the tidal marshes in South Philadelphia. Designed by the Olmsted Brothers in 1914, FDR Park’s sequence of picturesque lakes with adjacent lawns are connected by a network of carriage and footpaths.

FDR Park along the water

In 1926, the park hosted the national Sesquicentennial Exhibition and several grand civic buildings, including the iconic Boathouse, opened for the first time.

Today, FDR Park Philadelphia hosts a playground, baseball diamonds, a renowned skate park, a network of lakes, the Swedish American Museum, and 126 acres of woodland.

A Pledge to Heal our Communities through Mind, Body & Spirit
This event was a neighborhood collaboration by FDR Park and Vare Recreation Center. This event was designed to bring healing to our communities after a tough year of Covid and social unrest. Community organizations and leaders will facilitate reflection and journaling sessions, sports activities for kids, mobile nutrition, and yoga sessions to promote healing of the mind, body, and spirit. There will also be tastings, recipes and refreshments for all to enjoy and take home! Photo Credit Fairmount Park Conservancy

About the Fairmount Park Conservancy

Fairmount Park Conservancy brings parks to life. They work with the City of Philadelphia and its communities to steward our parks and nurture our shared environment, cultural resources, and public health.

They lead capital projects and historic preservation efforts, foster neighborhood park stewardship, attract and leverage investments, and develop innovative programs throughout the 10,200 acres that include Fairmount Park, six other watershed parks and more than 130 neighborhood parks and gardens around the city. For FDR Park updates and up-to-date info about the Conservancy’s upcoming events, visit myphillypark.org.

A Pledge to Heal our Communities through Mind, Body & Spirit
The A Pledge to Heal our Communities through Mind, Body & Spirit event was a neighborhood collaboration by FDR Park and Vare Recreation Center. Photo Credit Fairmount Park Conservancy

When is FRD Park Philadelphia open?

The park is open year-round.

  • April through October: 6 am – 9 pm
  • November through March: 6 am – 6 pm

Outside of these times, the gates to the park are closed to car traffic.

FRD Park Philadelphia map

This is the current park map as of September 20, 2022.

Philadelphia FRD Park map

Where is parking at FRD Park Philadelphia?

There are parking lots for car users marked on the map above. These parking lots provide 900 parking spaces.

Parking lots are open free of charge year-round for all park guests, except in the event of Eagles games at the nearby stadium.

During Philadelphia Eagles games, overflow parking can be found at FDR Park for a fee. Pedestrians and bikers are still welcome to enjoy the park free of charge during these days, but all vehicles will need to pay the fee to utilize the parking lots. The fees collected from overflow parking directly benefit FDR Park by providing funds for programming and supplies!

Does the park have restrooms?

There are restrooms open during park hours.

10 Things to Do at FDR Park Philadelphia this Fall

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 10 AM – 6 PM through November. 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. 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 one of the upcoming Flavors of FDR: Food Market Tasting Tour.

Southeast Asian Market at FDR Park
Photo Credit Fairmount Park Conservancy

2. Drop by the Pop-Up Play Space

Fairmount Park Conservancy 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.

The Play Space is open during park hours, and there is additional FREE drop-in programming at the Pop-Up Play Space with Let’s Go Outdoors.

PopUp Play Space_AlbertYee (1)- Things to do at FDR Park in Philadelphia
Photo Credit Fairmount Park Conservancy

3. Kayak on the Lakes

Did you know that FDR is the only Philadelphia 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.

The Conservancy is partnering with Discovery Pathways to offer guided kayak tours this fall. Kayaking is open to families with kids over 8 years old.

Saturday Kayak Tours (pay-what-you-can):

Sunset Kayak Tours (pay-what-you-can):

FDR Park Health and Wellness Fair
The Friends of FDR Park put on a free day of activities at FDR Park including the first time hosting public boating/kayaking on the lakes, exercise classes, art workshops, cooking classes, and more. Photo Credit Fairmount Park Conservancy

Fairmount Park Conservancy also offers FREE Community Boating Days for FDR Park neighbors, no pre-registration is required.

  • 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! While not meant for younger children your teens will likely enjoy this.

Bailar en FDR- Things to do at FDR Park in Philadelphia
Photo Credit Fairmount Park Conservancy

Join Fairmount Park Conservancy at the historic FDR Park Philadelphia 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 – 8 PM followed by a social dance from 8 – 11 PM (pay-what-you-can):

Bailar in FDR_FairmountParkConservancy (3)- Things to do at FDR Park in Philadelphia
Photo Credit Fairmount Park Conservancy

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.

FDR skatepark in Philadelphia
Photo credit FDR Park

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 We Walk PHL group meets at the FDR Park Boathouse on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 8:30 AM.

WeWalkPHL FDR Park
We Walk PHL seeks to promote positive health outcomes, increase use of Philadelphia’s park system, and create opportunities for people to pursue fitness goals while meeting their neighbors. We Walk PHL is a free walking group that meets several times per week at various public parks.
Photo Credit Fairmount Park Conservancy

7. Go fishing

Remember ‘The Lakes’ we talked about earlier? They aren’t just for kayaking and looking pretty. Try out the seven lakes for a relaxing afternoon of fishing and see what you catch! There are convenient fishing spots situated around the main lake by the Boathouse, but don’t forget to venture out into the Meadow area for access to more secluded spots too!

Olmsted Overlook- Things to do at FDR Park in Philadelphia
Photo Credit Fairmount Park Conservancy

8. Enjoy bird watching

Like some of the bird-watching attractions in New Jersey, FDR Park offers diverse bird habitats in Philadelphia along their new South Philly Meadow trails. There have been nearly 205 species cited in the park. Check out programming and events by BirdPhilly, a project by the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club in conjunction with Philadelphia Parks & Rec and the Fairmount Park Conservancy!

Birdwatch- Things to do at FDR Park in Philadelphia
Photo Credit Fairmount Park Conservancy

9. Learn more about the 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 Conservancy Executive Director Maura McCarthy and FDR Park Director Justin DiBerardinis.

10. 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! The Annual Love Your Park Fall Service Day will take place on Saturday, November 12. Volunteer at FDR Park or a host of other parks across Philadelphia. Learn more at www.myphillypark.org.

More FDR Park Philadelphia Activities Families will Enjoy

We’ve highlighted 10 things to do at FDR park, but there are still more FDR Park activities families will enjoy.

FDR Park Youth Soccer Day
Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, elected officials, and the Friends of FDR Park will celebrate FDR Park’s current soccer league and Philadelphia’s youth soccer community with a free, family-friendly event featuring soccer activities, meet and greet with Philadelphia Union, games, food, music, and beverages. The program will include a speaking program and highlight the FDR Park Plan, which includes state-of-the-art athletic fields. Photo Credit Fairmount Park Conservancy March 25, 2022

Coming soon to FDR Park Philadelphia

Coming soon to FDR Park is the Anna C. Verna Playground. The $5 million, 2.15 acre playground will be located near the Pattison Lagoon and is scheduled to open in the summer of 2023.

Anna C. Verna Playground at FDR Park in Philadelphia
Renderings by WRT

All of its nature-based play equipment will be handicapped accessible, including an all-ages, 20-swing mega-swing set overlooking the lagoon; log and boulder scrambles; rolling hills with slides; and two massive tree trunks incorporated into tree houses. Learn more at https://myphillypark.org/fdr-playground-groundbreaking/.

Looking for more things to do in Philadelphia with kids?

Check out these great articles to help you plan a fun Philly day trip with the family.

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