May 13th, 2020

Four Reasons to Love FDR Park

fdr park drone shot wrt

By Justin DiBerardinis, FDR Park Director, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

Now, more than ever, we need wide open spaces. We need room to run, space to think, and new landscapes to explore for our physical health, our mental health, and for our spirits.

Now is the perfect time to fall in love (or fall in love again!) with FDR Park, South Philadelphia’s largest and most dynamic public space. FDR Park - also known as The Lakes - offers over 350 acres of lakes, fields, meadows, bridges, marshes, mystery, and magic. A unique recreational and natural landscape activated by the incredible cultural diversity of South Philadelphia, FDR Park is truly a gem of Philadelphia’s public park system.

Reason #1: The Lakes

the lakes at fdr

The heart of FDR Park is the lakes and waterways. The lakes offer a glimpse into the historic ecological landscape of South Philadelphia, with lagoons, streams, ponds, and marshes coming into bloom. These can be enjoyed in scenic vistas offered by the historic pavilions of the main lake, fishing along the banks, or bird watching among the secluded streams and marshes of the old golf course area. The dock of the historic Boathouse is publicly accessible, and kayakers are welcomed to use this public access point to paddle the lakes of FDR.

Reason #2: The Skatepark

fdr skatepark

The southern edge of FDR Park is home to a DIY mecca of American skateboarding culture, the FDR Skatepark - chaotic, beautiful, punk rock stream of consciousness in concrete. Offering space for young beginners and elite skaters alike, the skatepark pulsates with a diversity of users. Whether you skate yourself, or just want to soak up the scene, no visit to FDR is complete without a stop at the Skatepark.

Reason #3: Natural Lands

fdr park golf course

FDR Park is a landscape in transformation as the old golf course, holding nearly 200 acres on the western half of the park, returns to nature. In the future, we will be restoring the tidal marsh lands in this Southwest corner of the park. Right now, this course offers quiet meadows, meandering streams, emerging marshes, and some of the best bird watching in the city. It’s Philadelphia’s secret forest, one of the only places you can find acres and acres to yourself.

Reason #4: The Community

fdr park celebration

What truly makes FDR Park special is the growing diversity of its users, reflecting the incredible dynamism of South Philadelphia. FDR has always been a central spot for diverse communities to come together. In recent years, FDR Park has become a favorite spot for the southeast Asian community to gather together and celebrate their cultures, and a Latino soccer league has formed and become an ongoing and lively presence at the park. Italian American and African American communities have also long used FDR as South Philly’s go-to place for picnics, family gatherings, and festivals. The FDR Park community is truly unique and makes this park the special, wild, wonderful place it is.

Find Your Community at FDR Park
FDR Park is ready for you! There is truly something for everyone here. Find the park, love the park, and get involved in our exciting plan to build one of the great public spaces. You can be a part of it.

Join the Friends of FDR Park fdrparkphilly.org or facebook.com/fdrpark.

Upcoming Love Your Park @ Home Events

Love Your Park Week 2025

May 10th at 12:00am
Philadelphia Parks

This spring, show your favorite neighborhood park some love! Love Your Park Week is a nine-day celebration of Philadelphia's public parks from May 10-18, 2025.

Learn More

Open Volunteer Workday – Concourse Lake

May 27th at 9:00am
Concourse Lake, Philadelphia, PA 19131

Join Fairmount Park Conservancy staff for a volunteer day at Concourse Lake. Together, we will work on tree care (weeding and mulching), trail cleanup, woody cleanup along the lake edge, and trash removal. All tools, including gloves, will be provided. BACKGROUND Concourse Lake in West Fairmount Park was officially dedicated as a Philadelphia Native Plant Park on June 9, 2012. Since then, a diverse collection of native trees and shrubs has been planted throughout the 14-acre site, enhancing the natural habitat and supporting local biodiversity.

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Open Volunteer Workday – Parkside Edge

May 29th at 9:00am
John Welsh Memorial Fountain, Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Join Fairmount Park Conservancy staff for a volunteer day at Parkside Edge. Together, we will work on plant care (weeding and mulching), watering, and trash removal. All tools, including gloves, will be provided.

Learn More