May 14th, 2020

May 14th is History Day during Love Your Park at Home

lemon hill

Thursday, May 14th is History Day during Love Your Park @ Home! Here are all the things you can learn, share, and do to celebrate history in Philly parks.

5 14 history day lyp at home

LEARN: About 6 Historic Houses in 6 minutes

Join John Sigmund, Fairmount Park Conservancy Historic House Coordinator, and Justina Barrett, Philadelphia Museum of Art Site Manager, in a whirlwind bicycle tour of six historic properties situated in beautiful Fairmount Park. In just one minute per house, learn unique facts about these historic homes!

Watch video

SHARE: Your own historic photos of your Philly park

woodford mansion 1900 2

Woodford Mansion, 1900.

Share your favorite photos of Philadelphia park history! This can be historic photos of your neighborhood park, or a more recent photo of a fun day spent in your favorite secret park spot. #loveyourpark

DO: Enjoy a virtual Park History Happy Hour at 5pm

Grab a beer (or a stein of ye olde meade) and join John John Sigmund, Fairmount Park Historic House Coordinator, and other park historians as they kick back, relax, and spin some of their favorite Philadelphia park tales.

Join the virtual Happy Hour

BONUS: You're invited to a special webinar "Making history: The power of parks during COVID-19"

How will the COVID-19 pandemic shape the future of our urban parks?

On Thursday, May 14 from 12-1pm, join us for a conversation about resilience and the future of civic spaces with three leading park advocates:

Carol Coletta, President and CEO, Memphis River Parks
Maura McCarthy, Executive Director, Fairmount Park Conservancy, Host
Kathryn Ott Lovell, Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

Register for free

BONUS: Enjoy these free coloring pages of the Historic Houses of Fairmount Park!

Bring some color to these beautiful black-and-white sketches of the Historic Houses of Fairmount Park! These coloring pages are available to download for free – you can even draw your own Historic House! Share your creations by tagging us on social media at #loveyourpark. 

Download free coloring pages

Upcoming Love Your Park @ Home Events

fdr weed warriors

Weed Warriors at FDR Park

August 29th at 10:00am
1800 Pattison Ave Philadelphia, PA 19145

Spring has sprung and so have the weeds! Meet new people or bring a friend! Meet us at the WELCOME CENTER at 1800 Pattison Ave, the first building on your right as you enter the park at 15th street.

Learn More
Fernhill Park

Evenings with PPR Stewardship: Fernhill Park

August 31st at 5:00pm
Fernhill Park

Help clean up and beautify a trail at Fernhill Park! Join Philadelphia Parks & Recreation's Stewardship Team for a volunteer project to pick up trash, clear an entrance to the park, and remove overgrown plants. All tools and materials will be provided- including work gloves (though you're welcome to bring your own). Volunteers should bring water, sun protection, and snacks. Restrooms may not be accessible nearby. These events will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain or thunder or severe weather conditions!

Learn More
east fairmount park

Community Workday at East Fairmount Park

September 1st at 9:00am
3810 Mt Pleasant Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19121

Join the Fairmount Park Conservancy team on Tuesday, September 1st, from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM for a volunteer workday at East Fairmount Park. Together, we will work on:

Learn More