WHY THIS SITE?

About the Oval

Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will host the fifth summer of The Oval with expanded programming this year called The Oval+ (Plus) presented by PNC. The Oval+ features an expanded footprint and unique installations in addition to the ever-popular movie and music nights, food trucks, beer garden, and family-friendly activities.  The partners have engaged a cutting-edge design firm, PORT Urbanism to develop an installation that will inspire people to envision future, potential uses for the Benjamin Franklin Parkway beyond Eakins Oval.

Taking the theme of “What’s your Parkway, Philly?” this year’s Oval+ creates focal points on the Parkway from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to Logan Circle – for connecting with nature;
enjoying art, culture, and play; or gathering for public dialogue about the future of the Parkway.

At night, the installations – some extending to 24 feet in height – will be illuminated from within, creating a glowing effect. Other elements include a dynamic maze which will wind through the trees and a stage to accommodate a changing schedule of public events large and small. Also, to continue the theme, nearby Aviator Park and the newly renovated Shakespeare Park further
down the Parkway will be the site of additional Oval+ installations and activities from collaborating organizations like the Franklin Institute and Free Library of Philadelphia.

Activities

Free passive activities including chalkboards, a maze, 9-hole mini golf, bean bag toss, Legos, Connect Four, Ping Pong, a sandbox, and chess and checkers will be available Wednesdays thru Sundays 11am-11pm.

Themed Days with Programming

Wellness Wednesdays: Free Fitness Classes from 6-8pm (Power Yoga, Yoga Habit; Philly Dance Fitness; CKO Kickboxing; Dance Boot Camp; CoreFitness Boot Camp)
Arts & Culture Thursdays: featuring weekly DJ Dance Parties from 7-11pm
Friday Food & Flicks: Enjoy delicious food trucks and movies starting at 9pm
Game Day Saturdays: Kids Music Jam, 2-4pm; Quizzo 4-6pm
Sunday Family Fundays: Featuring a weekly family dance party called Let’s Rock Recess from 2-7pm

Map

Cost

Free

About the Oval

Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will host the fifth summer of The Oval with expanded programming this year called The Oval+ (Plus) presented by PNC. The Oval+ features an expanded footprint and unique installations in addition to the ever-popular movie and music nights, food trucks, beer garden, and family-friendly activities.  The partners have engaged a cutting-edge design firm, PORT Urbanism to develop an installation that will inspire people to envision future, potential uses for the Benjamin Franklin Parkway beyond Eakins Oval.

Taking the theme of “What’s your Parkway, Philly?” this year’s Oval+ creates focal points on the Parkway from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to Logan Circle – for connecting with nature;
enjoying art, culture, and play; or gathering for public dialogue about the future of the Parkway.

At night, the installations – some extending to 24 feet in height – will be illuminated from within, creating a glowing effect. Other elements include a dynamic maze which will wind through the trees and a stage to accommodate a changing schedule of public events large and small. Also, to continue the theme, nearby Aviator Park and the newly renovated Shakespeare Park further
down the Parkway will be the site of additional Oval+ installations and activities from collaborating organizations like the Franklin Institute and Free Library of Philadelphia.

Activities

Free passive activities including chalkboards, a maze, 9-hole mini golf, bean bag toss, Legos, Connect Four, Ping Pong, a sandbox, and chess and checkers will be available Wednesdays thru Sundays 11am-11pm.

Themed Days with Programming

Wellness Wednesdays: Free Fitness Classes from 6-8pm (Power Yoga, Yoga Habit; Philly Dance Fitness; CKO Kickboxing; Dance Boot Camp; CoreFitness Boot Camp)
Arts & Culture Thursdays: featuring weekly DJ Dance Parties from 7-11pm
Friday Food & Flicks: Enjoy delicious food trucks and movies starting at 9pm
Game Day Saturdays: Kids Music Jam, 2-4pm; Quizzo 4-6pm
Sunday Family Fundays: Featuring a weekly family dance party called Let’s Rock Recess from 2-7pm

Map

Cost

Free

Established in 2004, this market is located right across from the historic Eastern State Penitentiary. The market is situated within a growing, bustling retail corridor in the Fairmount neighborhood.

Vendors

Beechwood Orchards
135 miles to market from Biglerville, PA
Sold: Fresh produce

Ben King
79 miles to market from Lancaster, PA
Sold: Fruits and vegetables, baked goods and canned goods

Pasture Song Farm
43 miles from Pottstown, PA
Sold: Grassfed/pastured pork, poultry and more

Little Bird Bakery
3 miles from Philadelphia
Sold: Baked goods, pastries, soft pretzels and more

Urbanstead
Less than 1 mile from Philadelphia
Sold: Fruits and vegetables

Quaff Meadows
58 miles to market from Christiana, PA
Sold: Fruits and vegetables

Payment Accepted

Cash, SNAP/ACCESS cards, Philly Food Bucks and WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) vouchers

LEGO Club: Create with Ms. Keyonia.

For children ages 6-12 in the Parkway Central Children’s Department.

Presented as part of the Margaret S. Halloran Family Literacy Programming series

Cost: Free

Note: The library doesn’t usually list an end time for this event, but the tool I’m using to create events requires an end time. So, unless an end time is listed, the end time will be set to one hour after the start time. Also, check the library site to verify the event schedule is current here.

Do you want to try Indego, Philadelphia’s Bike Share sytem, but need to build a little more confidence in your city biking skills?

Are you interested in biking during the winter months, but can use some tips on doing so safely?

Indego Street Skills is a FREE 90-minute class that will give you the knowledge to start bicycling safely in Philadelphia. We cover everything you need to know to have fun and be safe.

Class covers:

• How to use Indego
• Rules of the road
• Riding in traffic safely
• Making sure your helmet fits
• Choosing a route
• Tips for riding safety in the winter

No bike needed!

Sign up at rideindego.com/classes or drop in!

Cost: Free

Editor’s Note: I went to this class in December, and it was really informative. I downloaded the app before the class was even over (and I have a bike). You can find out why my post here. But check the website for times. This is scheduled as a repeating event.

This one-hour fun and fact-filled tour highlights the past, present and future of the Hidden River.

Discover the sights, sounds and history of the river, from the 1700s at historic Bartram’s Garden, to the 1800s at the Fairmount Water Works, to iconic 20th century buildings and award winning 21st century skyscrapers.

See riverfront construction projects from the river while learning about future development from a representative of the Schuylkill River Development Corporation. Schuylkill Banks offers a setting and experience unlike any other in Philadelphia.

Journey down the Schuylkill and its many treasures:

• The world-famous Fairmount Water Works
• Schuylkill Banks, including the recently completed boardwalk to the South Street Bridge
• Bartram’s Garden
• Numerous bridges that link West Philadelphia with Center City and South Philly
• Skyscrapers including Comcast Center, Cira Centre and Liberty Place
• Early 20th century architecture including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 30th Street Station and former Post Office building

And many more attractions!

This is a Philadelphia adventure like none other!

Meeting Location

Walnut Street Dock at Schuylkill Banks – the Walnut Street Dock is located under the Walnut Street Bridge – for more details click here.

Parking

For parking at Schuylkill Banks click here.

Cost

Adults: $22, Children 12 and under: $12

About the Oval

Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will host the fifth summer of The Oval with expanded programming this year called The Oval+ (Plus) presented by PNC. The Oval+ features an expanded footprint and unique installations in addition to the ever-popular movie and music nights, food trucks, beer garden, and family-friendly activities.  The partners have engaged a cutting-edge design firm, PORT Urbanism to develop an installation that will inspire people to envision future, potential uses for the Benjamin Franklin Parkway beyond Eakins Oval.

Taking the theme of “What’s your Parkway, Philly?” this year’s Oval+ creates focal points on the Parkway from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to Logan Circle – for connecting with nature;
enjoying art, culture, and play; or gathering for public dialogue about the future of the Parkway.

At night, the installations – some extending to 24 feet in height – will be illuminated from within, creating a glowing effect. Other elements include a dynamic maze which will wind through the trees and a stage to accommodate a changing schedule of public events large and small. Also, to continue the theme, nearby Aviator Park and the newly renovated Shakespeare Park further
down the Parkway will be the site of additional Oval+ installations and activities from collaborating organizations like the Franklin Institute and Free Library of Philadelphia.

Activities

Free passive activities including chalkboards, a maze, 9-hole mini golf, bean bag toss, Legos, Connect Four, Ping Pong, a sandbox, and chess and checkers will be available Wednesdays thru Sundays 11am-11pm.

Themed Days with Programming

Wellness Wednesdays: Free Fitness Classes from 6-8pm (Power Yoga, Yoga Habit; Philly Dance Fitness; CKO Kickboxing; Dance Boot Camp; CoreFitness Boot Camp)
Arts & Culture Thursdays: featuring weekly DJ Dance Parties from 7-11pm
Friday Food & Flicks: Enjoy delicious food trucks and movies starting at 9pm
Game Day Saturdays: Kids Music Jam, 2-4pm; Quizzo 4-6pm
Sunday Family Fundays: Featuring a weekly family dance party called Let’s Rock Recess from 2-7pm

Map

Cost

Free

About the Oval

Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will host the fifth summer of The Oval with expanded programming this year called The Oval+ (Plus) presented by PNC. The Oval+ features an expanded footprint and unique installations in addition to the ever-popular movie and music nights, food trucks, beer garden, and family-friendly activities.  The partners have engaged a cutting-edge design firm, PORT Urbanism to develop an installation that will inspire people to envision future, potential uses for the Benjamin Franklin Parkway beyond Eakins Oval.

Taking the theme of “What’s your Parkway, Philly?” this year’s Oval+ creates focal points on the Parkway from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to Logan Circle – for connecting with nature;
enjoying art, culture, and play; or gathering for public dialogue about the future of the Parkway.

At night, the installations – some extending to 24 feet in height – will be illuminated from within, creating a glowing effect. Other elements include a dynamic maze which will wind through the trees and a stage to accommodate a changing schedule of public events large and small. Also, to continue the theme, nearby Aviator Park and the newly renovated Shakespeare Park further
down the Parkway will be the site of additional Oval+ installations and activities from collaborating organizations like the Franklin Institute and Free Library of Philadelphia.

Activities

Free passive activities including chalkboards, a maze, 9-hole mini golf, bean bag toss, Legos, Connect Four, Ping Pong, a sandbox, and chess and checkers will be available Wednesdays thru Sundays 11am-11pm.

Themed Days with Programming

Wellness Wednesdays: Free Fitness Classes from 6-8pm (Power Yoga, Yoga Habit; Philly Dance Fitness; CKO Kickboxing; Dance Boot Camp; CoreFitness Boot Camp)
Arts & Culture Thursdays: featuring weekly DJ Dance Parties from 7-11pm
Friday Food & Flicks: Enjoy delicious food trucks and movies starting at 9pm
Game Day Saturdays: Kids Music Jam, 2-4pm; Quizzo 4-6pm
Sunday Family Fundays: Featuring a weekly family dance party called Let’s Rock Recess from 2-7pm

Map

Cost

Free

About the Oval

Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will host the fifth summer of The Oval with expanded programming this year called The Oval+ (Plus) presented by PNC. The Oval+ features an expanded footprint and unique installations in addition to the ever-popular movie and music nights, food trucks, beer garden, and family-friendly activities.  The partners have engaged a cutting-edge design firm, PORT Urbanism to develop an installation that will inspire people to envision future, potential uses for the Benjamin Franklin Parkway beyond Eakins Oval.

Taking the theme of “What’s your Parkway, Philly?” this year’s Oval+ creates focal points on the Parkway from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to Logan Circle – for connecting with nature;
enjoying art, culture, and play; or gathering for public dialogue about the future of the Parkway.

At night, the installations – some extending to 24 feet in height – will be illuminated from within, creating a glowing effect. Other elements include a dynamic maze which will wind through the trees and a stage to accommodate a changing schedule of public events large and small. Also, to continue the theme, nearby Aviator Park and the newly renovated Shakespeare Park further
down the Parkway will be the site of additional Oval+ installations and activities from collaborating organizations like the Franklin Institute and Free Library of Philadelphia.

Activities

Free passive activities including chalkboards, a maze, 9-hole mini golf, bean bag toss, Legos, Connect Four, Ping Pong, a sandbox, and chess and checkers will be available Wednesdays thru Sundays 11am-11pm.

Themed Days with Programming

Wellness Wednesdays: Free Fitness Classes from 6-8pm (Power Yoga, Yoga Habit; Philly Dance Fitness; CKO Kickboxing; Dance Boot Camp; CoreFitness Boot Camp)
Arts & Culture Thursdays: featuring weekly DJ Dance Parties from 7-11pm
Friday Food & Flicks: Enjoy delicious food trucks and movies starting at 9pm
Game Day Saturdays: Kids Music Jam, 2-4pm; Quizzo 4-6pm
Sunday Family Fundays: Featuring a weekly family dance party called Let’s Rock Recess from 2-7pm

Map

Cost

Free