Fall in love with the new Anna C. Verna Playground at FDR Park! Celebrate the newly finished playground by breaking it in with a series of family-centric fall activities taking place now through Nov. 12.
The inclusive play space is part of a multi-phase, mult-decade FDR Park Plan, according to a news release. Named after the late former Philadelphia City Council President Anna C. Verna– the first and only woman to date to lead the council–meant to bring more nature-based play opportunities to local children, according to Fairmount Park Conservancy.
The playground officially opened on Oct. 21 but has been in the works since July 13, 2022.
It includes a 20-swing mega-swing set, log and boulder scrambles, rolling hills with slides and tree trunks incorporated into tree houses, the release states.
The playground also spans 2.15 acres near the Pattison Lagoon, replacing an older play space that was prone to flooding, according to Fairmount Park Conservancy. A new cork-based surface that is nearly 100% water permeable has been graded to mitigate any flooding that might occur.
Some other new featues include picnic sites, a picnic pavilion and seat walls overlooking the play area.
Recent events held at the new space include a costumed story time with the Free Library of Philadelphia, with themed crafts and face painting, and a visit from Greener Partner’s Farm Explorer mobile, a mobile farm that brings seed-to-plate education to kids through schools and community organizations. Families were able to dig, smell herbs, taste fresh vegetables and learn to make smoothies with the pedal power of a bicycle.
Here are some upcoming events to add to your family calendar.
Music in the Park with Mister John’s
Nov. 4, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Sing, dance and play as a family with an interactive music program.
Art in the Park with Fleisher Art Memorial
Nov. 12, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Create a nature-inspired craft with Fleisher’s mobile art studio, ColorWheels.
For families arriving by car, there’s free parking in the lot across from the playground. There is also additional parking in the lot between the boathouse and the Swedish Museum.
Stay in the loop at myphillypark.org.
