Friends Of
Fairmount

Combatting loss of green space in Fairmount Park without due process

Our group is aimed at correcting the loss of representation that occurred when the Fairmount Park Commission was abolished. Reestablish civic engagement on matters in the park that we see being made exclusively by politicians.

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Power in numbers: Protecting Philadelphia’s Greenspace

Parks and green spaces are sacred areas for inhabitants of Philadelphia’s concrete jungle. The benefits of green spaces, pervious surfaces, and natural refuges are countless, which is why we must preserve these areas. We are therefore forming a group called the Friends of Fairmount to have an independent voice in the future of the Park and we want you to join.

Many organizations call a certain park or natural space of the City their home and steward this region as if it were indeed their own. Volunteers spend time, money, and resources to make these slices of the park lands protected and pristine. Over the past couple years, we have noticed a pattern with the City not properly maintaining the lands, ignoring these stewards’ efforts, avoiding community engagement, and simply invading these areas. Many groups are currently dealing with these types of  issues such as Sedgley Disc Golf Course, Edgely Ultimate Fields, FDR Park, MLK Drive, and more.

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Who & Why We Are

City government is determining the development of greenspace in the park without input from the residents, community, and park users.  Initiatives are being approved without due process. Stakeholders have no or limited say in these changes. Environmental impacts are insufficiently reviewed. User impacts have been woefully ignored.

The Fairmount Park Commission used to make all decisions about park lands in the City, but since the Commission disbanded, these decisions have now become more political. With no or little counterbalance or alternative say in park matters, the City will continue to use their governmental overreach making decisions on behalf of the community without actually tapping into the community or soliciting proper feedback and engagement.

Our voices aren't being heard individually but cannot be ignored together. Although our groups are unique and distinct we share the same values in loving and protecting the greenspace that Fairmount Park provides. Join today as an individual or part of an organization.

Join Our Mailing List



We are a collective of organizations and people that use Fairmount Park

As stewards of this land, we need to band together and protect these spaces. Friends of Fairmount is a diverse group of citizens that use and value the green and open spaces that exist in our region. We are coming together to form a coalition of folks willing to share their stories and connections with their park.

PADA
A non-profit that provides opportunities to learn, teach, and play Ultimate
Prior
Founded in 1923, Prior is a cricket club located in the heartland of Fairmount Park
Friends Of Sedgley Woods
Sedgley Woods is a 27 hole disc golf course maintained by Friends of Sedgley Woods
Cobbs Creek
Cobbs Creek Cleanup is a group of voluntary, unpaid Ambassadors who have adopted 7 zones that cover 47% of the park. Our mission is to improve the park experience for the public by removing litter, trash, invasives, in and around the creek and recreational trail.
Belmont Plateau Trails Alliance
A Friends group working to manage the Belmont Plateau/West Park trail system.
Fairmount Soccer
A nonprofit organization that teaches physical and mental skills to young boys and girls
Simpson House
A continuing care retirement community near Fairmount Park
FDR Park
A nonprofit organization dedicated to stewarding and advocating for FDR Park
Friends of Burholme Park
A Friends group working to manage Burholme Park.

Current Initiatives

We're getting organized. Take a look through the various initiatives that are experiencing loss of open space without due process. If you'd like to lean an initiative in your corner of Fairmount Park, get in touch by visiting our "Join Us" page.

Take Action

Ready to do something about it? Submitting a testimonial about Fairmount Park is a great way to start. You can also become a member of this rapidly growing collective.

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Testimonials

J'Lynn Matthews

As a young member of this community, I would like to display how Edgely Ultimate Fields have aided a...

Rochelle Maurer

I would frequently birdwatch there because it was a mature forest full of native hardwoods and flowe...

Gardner Cadwalader

The Fairmount Park Commission was the independent Board of Directors whose mission was @quote;to pre...