FDR Park

City park · Packer Park

FDR Park

City park · Packer Park

2

1500 Pattison Avenue &, S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19145

Photos

FDR Park by null
FDR Park by Diana Lu
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null
FDR Park by null

Highlights

Large urban park offering a golf course, sports fields, fishing lakes & the American Swedish Museum.  

Featured in Eater
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1500 Pattison Avenue &, S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19145 Get directions

fdrparkphilly.org

Information

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1500 Pattison Avenue &, S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19145 Get directions

+1 215 683 3600
fdrparkphilly.org

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance
parking private lot
parking bike
crowd family friendly

Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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@eater

"At the Southeast Asian Market, Philadelphians and hungry travelers from Maryland, Delaware, New York, and New Jersey meet and mingle among dozens of tents selling Khmer street food, fresh sugarcane juice, and tropical fruit smoothies, spices, and fermented shrimp pastes made by aunties and home cooks. On the shortlist of must-eats: grilled steak on a stick, deboned Cambodian chicken wings stuffed with meats and glass noodles, nom banchok (Khmer rice noodles in a light green curry with chicken and fish, topped with crunchy banana blossoms and a sugary chili crisp), ansorm chhrouk (tender pork belly and mung bean encased in sticky rice, best sliced and fried with fish sauce), Cambodian pork rolls, and steamed beef tripe and spleen with cabbage and cucumber salad and addictive anchovy peanut lime sauce. Move onto sweets like plae aie (sweet mochi-like balls stuffed with palm sugar and shredded coconut); coconut and black sesame rice cake; sweet banana sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves and toasted on the grill; and crispy fried bananas fresh from a wok the size of a bass drum. The weekend market is open Saturday and Sunday from April through October." - Diana Lu

Where Philly’s Cambodian Community Leaders Go to Eat
View Postcard for FDR Park
@eater

"The annual Philadelphia Flower Show opened at FDR Park, with complaints of hours-long lines, lack of water and water refilling stations, and issues with the food vendors." - Dayna Evans

Long Lines and Limp Hoagies Anger Opening Weekend Philly Flower Show Attendees - Eater Philly
View Postcard for FDR Park

All The Good Names Are Taken

Google
Pleasant park. As long as there arent multiple events at once then parking is fine. The park is decent sized with enough area space to walk without requiring multiple laps. And during the weekend in the summer there is the south east asian market. Which is an absolute joy for me

Moe Joe

Google
Great place to bring kids as they have a brand new playground for children all ages. Best free public park in Philly near the stadium. Plenty of parking spaces.

Jason Peter

Google
Wonderful Park. The community boating and fishing in the lake is cool. And when I visited the SE Asian Food Fest was on .

Carmen Francisquini

Google
My kids had a great time. BUT thus will not be my park when it's hot. The new children park was not made for children in mind. PARENTS BEWARE HOT METAL. It all metal... so what happens when it is hot and sunny? Well, that metal gets hot. Today was a sunny hot day and my kids went up the slide, and yes, it was hot. Not safe for kids at all. They need to spend money on some shade poles for this area.

Mircea Ionescu

Google
We been here during the Christmas for the winter lights. We were so surprised of the light arrangements. We have seen light shows in different states but this one is beautifully arranged. Enjoy it with your partner or kids . It is worth the time. They have fireplaces to warm up and warm drinks

Pil G

Google
Park with many picnic areas, cute lake. Free parking. Good for a quick run. Don't miss the Swedish history museum

Sabrina Brady

Google
The Asian market was so fun and the vendors were so kind!!! Please come out and support!

Daniel C

Google
Excellent playground, clean, swings, slides, great for kids of different ages and ability levels.

Mel M.

Yelp
PHILADELPHIA: Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular is a magical event from mid-November through January 1st that allows you to walk through an outdoor winter wonderland of holiday lights. Located in FDR Park near the sports arenas, you can meander through the paved trails and see the stunning life-sized displays, shop at mistletoe market, boogie on the dance floor to Christmas music, skate on an ice trail, tube down an ice slide, take a photo with Santa, and more! There are also two heated tents with food and drinks, including fun holiday themed cocktails. Waggin Wednesdays are when leashed and friendly dogs are allowed to attend! " OnWednesdays, guests are welcome to bring their furry, canine friends. Owners must keep theirdogsleashed at all timesand are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs. Any poorly behaved or aggressive dogs will be asked to leave." Be sure to dress appropriately and keep your pup comfortable. Paid parking is across the street in the Novacare lot.

Michael C.

Yelp
We went to go to the Southeast Asian Market. If you are going for that be advised their schedule is sporadic and they may not be there. You can't depend on the schedule. The park itself is has a lot of construction and the pathways aren't well maintained.

Megan C.

Yelp
An amazing Philadelphia park that's steeped in history and provides a ton for the community on a cultural level. I stopped by with my dog and boyfriend on a beautiful Saturday morning to walk the loop and enjoy the Southeast Asian Market - my first ever visit! Not only was this incredible market going strong, Fairmount Park Conservancy was also offering free boating for the community all morning long. This park was designed and brought to life by Olmsted's kids and it shows in it's walkability and ambling pathways. The market itself, housed in different parts of the park depending on the time of year, deserves a review of it's own, but this is not something to miss. Great food at amazing price, and free (delicious) smells. We didn't have an issue finding easy parking at all in the front lot, and would be an amazing spot for a little picnic or party. Don't delay visiting!

Komal R.

Yelp
This has been on my list since forever and finally made it to the SEA market. Great service and food. Most stalls were selling Papaya salad and Skewers - amazing lemongrass chicken skewers by the way! Most stalls upfront are cambodian and laotian food but there are thai stalls at the end of the market. Shout out to the park services, it was super clean and well maintained.

Retna S.

Yelp
You need to visit this park on weekends for a cultural experience. I was surprised with how many vendors at the South East Asian market selling mostly traditional food, clothing, toys, fruit and fresh produce. You can find several vendors selling grilled chicken wings, skewers, fried egg rolls. Also, papaya salad made as you ordered. To quench your thirst, you can find freshly squeezed sugar cane, teas, etc. Further up from the market you can find several vendors selling Mexican food and drinks.

Spencer W.

Yelp
Checking out the FDR SEA market! https://www.fdrseamarket.com/ Picnic with some friends. The park itself is bigger than I thought - tons of tennis courts! We laid out on the grass and there was a little scare as a bee swarm made its way across the park but our group fortunately had no casualties. The SEA market is bomb. Bunch of vendors that are copies of each other in terms of variety but still the skewers are incredible. Absolutely delicious and flavor town. $2 for each skewer -- beef is my favorite but had em all and tasty. Chicken would be my favorite if it wasn't so awkward to eat with the bones. Sugarcane was also neat.

Jenaya P.

Yelp
Great park to soak in some nature! I came here with a friend to hug a tree and enjoy the beeytiful scenary! FDR park is huge with plenty of parking. It also has a lot of picnic areas to rent for events. I also saw the skate park for the skaters and plenty of planting and gardening. FDR park also has the Soutgmh East Asian market I believe on Saturdays.The Asian market has different food vendors selling a variety of food options. I got the mangonada which was huge and refreshing. Overall great place to chill, hangout and enjoy what mother nature has to offer!

Sophia I.

Yelp
It's the South Philly version of Fairmount Park. Go for the green space surrounded by concrete & asphalt parking lots, people watching and people playing, the awesome weekend Southeast Asian Market, random camaraderie, skate park, graffiti, or tennis anyone? Just close enough to play in traffic, be in nature and listen to stadium noise depending on your mood/day/time.

Ashley Y.

Yelp
Finally! We got time to visit fdr and enjoy the yummy food. But man, finding parking was a bit hard - we literally drove around the whole park to find parking by the food market. Make sure to bring cash! The beef sticks and sugar cane drink was my fave. I was very excited to get mango sticky rice too... but the stand I got it from had a hair in the package. My friend got it for me and we didn't really look at the package and just bought it. It was too late since I didn't discover the hair until I got home. Future reference: make sure to inspect your packages before buying. Will come back for more beef sticks and sugar cane drink ~

Margarita R.

Yelp
Had a peaceful afternoon at FDR Park. The park consist of a major loop around a lake, sports fields, a golf course, and a museum! We walked the loop with our pups around and encountered a lot of other pet parents. There are benches all around and really beautiful structures to see such as the gazebo and the boathouse. Totally recommend this park if you're in the area.

Jenny S.

Yelp
Delicious southeast Asian food. I had papaya salad, meat on the stick with sticky rice

Austin G.

Yelp
South Philly's largest public park, there's much to do. With easy parking lots throughout, you can visit a 1914 gazebo with water views, a 1920 boat house, tour the Swedish American Historical Museum or watch skaters under an underpass. FDR Park was a needed respite from the city on a recent trip from Washington, D.C.

Chris A.

Yelp
This park was great, we went to the markets here. Mostly the Asian market and I had a bunch of food. I had some chicken on a stick, pork sausage, pork bun. They have so many things to get and also toys, clothes, jewelry etc. It's also very cheap and everything is cash only. There's plenty of parking here too.

Jackie W.

Yelp
I love FDR park! It's not too popular that it's crowded but not too isolated that there aren't people around. There are nice walking trails and lots of beautiful trees and plants. There's also a decent amount of places to sit like benches and park tables. Lots of free parking too if you are driving. There are lots of wildlife there that is nice to take a look at. A few things that would make the park better is if there is less litter. Unfortunately, there was lots of trash in the more trafficked areas. Still, it's a beautiful park and a nice place to take a walk and take in a nice view.

Frank R.

Yelp
Asian and Spanish markets on the weekends. Great place. The park is beautiful with ponds and brooks. The little league fields are outstanding and professional maintained five stars

Jennifer T.

Yelp
We went on a rainy / cold day just on a whim and I'm So glad we went there . They have all different vendors from thai food to authentic Cambodian food . They also had some small Vietnamese vendors . The prices are reasonable as well.

L L.

Yelp
We were here for the 2022 Philly flower show. The last time we were at the Philly flower show was pre-pandemic and it was in-door. Therefore, I did not know what to expect from an outdoor venue. It did not disappoint and we had a good day here. This park was not overwhelmingly big and it was easy to navigate. Regardless, be prepared for a lot of walking - so wear a good pair of sneakers.

Jamie F.

Yelp
I finally realized one of the biggest draws in Philly, green spaces and FDR is one of them. Trees, grass, and a bit of water make a recipe for a good time with families of all ages. Great for bike riding, skating, or just catching the breeze. I would say this is a must visit location if you're in Philly. There's also a baseball field, tennis courts, kids space, and more! Only draw, the bathrooms are super far. Potty before visiting.

Vanessa J.

Yelp
Great park with lots to do! Highly recommend going to this park to relax, and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Jules C.

Yelp
Nice loop for a dog walk in the morning. I do wish the city would send some funding/cleanup etc also wouldn't hurt for people to clean up after themselves, much like other spots in Fairmont park system Covid has really been tough on the parks of the city with a few bad apples that are leaving much more than footprints.

Sari Marissa G.

Yelp
Known to some old school South Philadelphians simply as "The Lakes", FDR Park located way down at the south end of Broad Street boast of rich history and provides such an earthy, peaceful escape from the city streets, just beyond them! We absolutely love it here! It is home to The American Swedish Historical Museum, a Boat House at Meadow Lake, A Gazebo overlooking Meadow Lake (a favorite photo spot for brides and grooms) and Bellaire Manor built 1750. It is home to many recreation activities such as: 19 hole Golf course with club and cart rentals. Tennis courts Soccer field Richie Ashburn baseball field Skateboard park under I-95 Children's playground Lakeside fishing Bird watching, duck feeding, even deer spotting too! And NEW as of June 18th 2016 is boat and bike rentals provided by Wheel Fun Rentals! BOATS: 9am-5pm Kayaks $16.21 Double paddle $21.60 4 person paddle $32.40 BIKES: 9-6/7pm Single surrey $27 Double surrey $37.80 Deuce scoop $27 Chopper $12.96 Go kart $12.96 If you come before noon you get 2 hrs bikes and boats for the price of one hour! They will be accepting both cash or card! You can rent the pavilion and the picnic spaces for a steal! Contact Friends Of FDR Park to do so! We have hosted our kiddos birthday parties here and it was just lovely. We did rent our own brand spanking new Porta Potty for our guests which was fine by the park. We ordered some South Philly pizza and had the ice-cream man drive by! Think food trucks! How fun would that be?! We often do picnics on the dock for 'Sushi Sunday' nights in the warmer weather. The kiddos love watching the ducks swim and the planes headed into or out of PHL Airport fly above. I love jogging here and taking my baby boy pooch for walks. One full loop around is just shy of a 5k. I've done a pretty rad photoshoot for my daughter's birthday photos one year at the skate park! It was so edgy! Utilize this park for all that you can! Driving the loop is one way so be mindful! DO NOT cheap out and leave your car here for a late night events across the way. They close the gates to the park at sunset! Your car will be stuck inside the park! You've been warned. Do set up camp and chill out before an event on any given afternoon. Watch out for broken glass. Eeek! One of the only negatives. Whah!! Clean up after yourselves!! Fun Facts: The park was host to Lollapalooza music festival on August 1, 1994. The park was designed by The Olmsted Brothers who also designed the roadways in the Great Smoky Mountains and Acadia National Parks, Yosemite Valley, Atlanta's Piedmont Park, a residential neighborhood in Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada as well as entire park systems in cities such as Portland and Seattle.

Mary M.

Yelp
Cambodian Food Market is a hidden gem at FDR Park. Prices are very reasonable. Bring a shopping bag, your appetite and picnic blanket with you. Lots of shades from trees. There are picnic tables scattered around the park. Cash is king here. It's handicap accessible and several porta potties available. The market is open at 9a-7p on Sat/Sun. But if you're here for the hot/grilled food, they're ready by 11a up until they run out. Foods to try; stuffed chicken wings ($4), L sugar cane juice ($7), Papaya salad ($5), chicken/beef/pork barbecue on a stick (ranging from $1-$2), fried bananas/sweet potato/taro (4/$1), Vietnamese coffee etc. Very few Vegan options. All the vendors are friendly and do speak English if you have any questions.

Michelle M.

Yelp
Big park with lots of different active things to do. I took my daughter bike riding in the park. They have a tennis court and playground. Bring your football or soccer ball there's plenty of grass. I feel like they should hold more events in this park. It's Mosquito heaven in the summer. I only seen port a potty's. It be nice if there were real bathrooms. I hate port a potties.

Thuy H.

Yelp
This is for the food vendors selling out at the park. I absolutely LOVE it. When I'm craving some Cambodian/Laos street food, I tend to come here for it. The meat is grilled right in front of you and the papaya salad is mixed fresh. I love getting beef and chicken wings on a stick, some spicy papaya salad, and sticky rice with banana wrapped in banana leaves. Yea yea, some of you may think this is unsanitary or whatever, but go to any other country and this is how it's done! Mmmm. Oh, and the kids playground area is really nice too. So grab some food, bring your kids to the park and just eat and play! Perfect day

Josh S.

Yelp
(Wells fargo,lincoln financial & Citizens bank) Should all be held responsible for keeping this park clean. Hell, include the phillies,flyers and sixers organizations as well. Fdr park should be the cleanest park in the City. I've been coming here for about 4 years and cleanliness has always been an issue. It's gotten worse with each passing year... due in large part to the fans parking here for gameday and concert events. Fans leave behind trash,piles of charcoal, beer cans,bottles and bottle caps. There's one section of trail absoultely trashed with hundreds of beer bottle caps embedded into the dirt - It's been like that for a couple years now. Oh and can't forget the tree that's spray painted with the word "fuck" on it as well (who would tag a tree ??) I stop here on lunch breaks and I don't live nearby or else I'd clean up some of the mess myself. The park itself is good for running,fishing and cycling as mentioned in other reviews, However vehicle traffic is definitely an issue ... be aware of your surroundings as well. Some shady characters wander around here. Leaving on a positive, I heard this park got approved for a multi-million dollar rehab so things are looking up. This park needs and deserves it !

Carolynne L.

Yelp
The mostly Cambodian outdoor food market at FDR park is seriously THE BOMB. they should advertise it more. It was my first time going today and it's such a hidden gem!! Skewers of meat are $1 each, made right in front of you. Theres desserts, iced coffee, full on entrees (all made right then and there), and all at an extremely cheap price with huge portions. They are there on weekend mornings and a huge crowd comes around lunch. Will be going back for sure!!!!

Tina C.

Yelp
Beautiful park in South Philadelphia known to South Philadelphians as "The Lakes" (originally named League Island Park and now locally known as the "Lakes"). The park's gazebo, lagoon, and creek are an oasis built by Olmsted Brothers, the firm of Frederick Law Olmsted and John Charles Olmsted in the early 1900s (same park designers as the renowned New York's Central Park). Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park was reclaimed mostly from marshlands. My closest and sincere friends came to Philly in persuit of a day retreat away to celebrate my birthday differently outside the active yet abrasive hustle and bustle of New York City. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park replinish my sweetness lost enable me to retreat calmingly to renew my spirit. Nearby located under Interstate 95 is FDR Skatepark which once played host to the Gravity Games 2005. An excellant skate park with many ramp, vert ramp and wall of concrete known as a challenge for skaters, roller bladders of all levels from beginners to advanced to professional. FDR Skatepark sits directly under Interstate 95 overpass thus protected from rain and snow in the winter months. While I'm not the outdoors type of gal, my two close friends walked by as observers which I noted all athletics are not wearing any helmets or head gear. In New York State skaters, roller bladders, et al are required by law to wear helmets sadly today's volatility world can damage goods. Wishful thinking... why are there no protective gear for the heart in preventing it to be broken to become one man's vile trash and damage goods?!? Warning: Public restrooms are nastily vile as there are no locks on the stall's doors and no hooks to hold personal belongings. There is no tiolet tissue holder attached to the wall either. http://www.fairmountpark.org/fdrpark.asp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_Delano_Roosevelt_Park

Ilene S.

Yelp
Could not find the philly food truck festival that was held today Saturday June 15th at the park. So the park itself is big but there is only one way in and therefore one way out which on a crowded day can take a while. The food truck festival was okay. Not nearly as many trucks as I thought they could or should have had. What I did try was pretty good. The mamas meatballs were fabulous. The brick oven pizza was good but over priced. The bbq sandwich was tasty. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of the food or the trucks . I will say further down the park was a section of Asian food and market. I got a bunch of asparagus for a dollar that at shoprite would have cost me 8 they had chicken beef sausage on a stick for a dollar each and fried bananas spring rolls Oreos sweet potato etc. for a dollar sometimes 2 for a dollar.

Lisa M.

Yelp
I can see how in the distant past that it would have been a beautiful place. Now, its a trashy place that made me uncomfortable. No upkeep on roads either. There are lots of trails and a filthy lake with a rotten dock. Theres a skate park covered in graffiti that the locals built with their own money. It has so much potential. Sad that people cannot control themselves.

Kris R.

Yelp
Great place to walk around. Love the Cambodian street Food.... can someone lmk when the Cambodian food operates weekly and when it closes for winter? Thx

Kevin R.

Yelp
Wow! What a crap hole. Trash everywhere. I saw a guy fishing while drinking a bottle of Corona. He just chucked it into the water when he was finished along with his cigarette butt. A group of teens were drinking a 12 pack by the boat house and instead of throwing their empties back into the box, they just tossed them between the dock and the boathouse. A group picnicking, although just a few feet from a trash can, tossed their trash on the ground. The lake looks like a flooded garbage dump. I was amazed at the lack of community respect these people had. No security and no police.

Aaron P.

Yelp
FDR Park is a very quaint park across from the Lincoln Financial Field. During football season it is a very cool place to chill before going into the games.

Donny U.

Yelp
Positives:Lots of old timers chill here. Fishing. Running. Walking. They camp out and just sit and relax. You can play tennis, golf, soccer, baseball here. Or skateboard at the skate park. Negatives:Game day tail gaters do try to park here for free. Trash cans get overflowed quickly. More portajohns and service would be great.

Jonathan M.

Yelp
Great for bbq's, relaxing and great views. Check out the skate park too! You won't be disappointed. Cool spot for some pictures.

Njboating C.

Yelp
Wild skatepark. Love it. Very inner city. Surprisingly good buried under I 95. Out of the weather is both good and bad depending on the weather. Son loved the place. Will be back again.

Manager W.

Yelp
I heard this was a popular space for dogs so i couldn't bring Funyun :( {that's my cat! He's a magical little buddy!}. The grass is so sweet and delicate. The earth is chunky but good for a place to sleep when you are lost. I took away one point because you must be cautious of the geese pellets strewn carelessly about. Be careful not to get those sticky goose bits on your cardigan when you lay down cursing your poor sense of direction wondering if you'll ever find your way home. It made me nostalgic for those heady summer afternoons at Nan-Nans goose farm; making friends with them then eating them Nan-Nan said they liked it that way because they were our friends and they wanted us to feel good. Some sweaty and capable skater boys were off skating about in the cavern below Highway 95. They had a 3-legged goblin-dog with them that was staring at me with its black pellet-eyes so I stole away to the lavish pond to wash my tired feet. All around great park sometime they have musical shows but even if there isn't any music you can watch the skater boys roll around on the ramps! But not cat-friendly, sorry Funyun! :(

Le Raccoon X.

Yelp
FDR Park is one of my favorite places in the world. It is a place where working-class families finally kick back & relax. Where immigrants grill for everyone & police officers raid. Where *all* people of color blast their music and none are ridiculed. Everyone is there to have a good time, and unlike our rowhome neighborhoods, there's more than enough space, so no one steps on their neighbors' toes. Yes, it is riddled with litter, and the lakes are probably toxic. But it is an authentic urban community green space, free of glamour and full of love. It's a rare, precious space that celebrates family and peace. Come of think of it, I think this is one of the very, very few institutions that working-class South Philadelphians would actually fight for if it were threatened. Hmm.

Juliann A.

Yelp
It's freakin' FDR skatepark, for cryin' out loud! It is what it is, and what it is is cool. Even in San Diego, where I'm from, which is "mecca" for skateboarders, FDR is legendary. We were regaled by stories of skaters, many of whom were pros, who had actually been to this spot. For years, we had seen it featured in lots of video segments. FDR was built by skaters for skaters. It is hardcore and not for the prissy and faint of heart. I may not be hardcore enough for this place, but pretty much nothing will stop me from skating a half-pipe, quarter-pipe or bowl. I've driven from DC to Philly a half a dozen times just to skate FDR. I have had fun every time. As a mom, I would prefer it to be a little cleaner so hey skaters and friends, pick up after yourselves. But before you do, skate away because that is what FDR is all about.

Kristen H.

Yelp
I'm not really rating the park, rather the Sunday undercover market scene, lol If you're going to enjoy a quite afternoon on a Sunday at a pristine park, this is totally NOT the place, BUT if you're going for what it is, this place is great! Lots of undercover Cambodian merchant women cooking up some really good food. If you look at this place as a market for some really good Cambodian specialties, you will surely be pleased What IS annoying is the young ghetto crowd that has also been drawn here and finds the super crowded parking lot a good place to street race and blast their music...not cool, not cool at all.

Lindsay L.

Yelp
My sister had her birthday picnic here. I must say, it's a beautiful park! The gazebo (if you can call it that - more like a gaga-zebo) was picturesque on the lake. I only had a few complaints. One was that it looked like it hadn't been mowed in a few weeks. Call me crazy, but isn't landscaping part of Park Maintenance 101? My second gripe was the people who also reserved a picnic area by us brought a DJ. And he was loud. LOUD. The odd thing was that no one was dancing! If you are going to play salsa and club music, at least dance. Luckily, we were far enough away from him that it was more like noise in the background, but if my picnic space were closer, I would have been severely annoyed. I was kind of hoping a park ranger would pop up and shut them down. Other than that, the grounds were gorgeous and the facilities were clean. If you want to have an outdoor event here, it's really breath-taking, but just keep in mind the noise factor.

Jason B.

Yelp
I enjoyed a Pretzel Picnic™ for one. (I had intended this review to be longer. It's been sitting in my Unfinished Reviews pile for a little bit. I'm posting it now because I'm getting sick of looking at it there. I was going to tell you all about the beautiful day, families grilling, people fishing in the lake, the guy just parked on the side of the road in his car reading a book with the windows down, the skaters, the kids playing baseball, me riding my bike, etc. Oh, it was nice, I'll just leave it at that.)

Scott S.

Yelp
FDR Park is great! There aren't many dedicated spaces in S. Philly for recreation and greenery. Great little skate park, Tennis courts and bike path, public golf course. Gripes: The lake is stagnant and polluted. It smells. There are too many areas in disrepair including walkways, roads, the snack bar that is never open. Tailgating! I use the park year round EXCEPT on Eagles game days. If you're not there to join in the drunken disregard for the park and all living things, don't go to the park on Eagles game days. Too many oversized vehicles, assholes and Michael Vick sympathizers. btw : F*#% Michael Vick! and F*#% the Eagles until they get rid of the dog killer.

Jason Z.

Yelp
This park has seen better days, but we came here for the Pokemon! Park has alot of recreation opportunities (trails, boating, etc) and seems very popular, there were parties and BBQs all over the park. Some sections of sidewalks, trails, and paths seem to be in poor condition and could be fixed. Some of the monuments unfortunately had graffiti. At least there's plenty of parking, main entrance at 20th Street. Also, if you're reading this in the future and people are still playing Pokemon Go, this park is a nest for X pokemon and they frequently appear all over the park. (Charmander at the time of this writing, but it rotates at an unknown schedule.) There are alot of people driving around the park at 10 mph which in my opinion is cheating, they should be walking around!

Parker S.

Yelp
Wow. Why is FDR Park so nice? Good job Philadelphia, now you need to start spreading the love to the other small parks around the city. Everything is well taken care of including the sports facilities (tennis courts, baseball/softball fields, etc.). It's a great place for a picnic, a walk, a bike ride, a run, whatever. The golf course could either use some improvement or a lower price, but other than that the place is great. Not much else to say.

Brian M.

Yelp
I mainly use this for the tennis courts of which there are ten. Well maintained, very decent courts. Sometime hold a bit of water right after a storm but generally some of the best public courts in the city and you can usually find one open. Most I've ever waited is 20 minutes or so on a summer Sunday. Rest of the park is great too, in general. Tons of space, lots of family picnics and activities going on. Some of the back fields are very bumpy and uneven, weeds sprouting around but overall this is a great city park and one that is under appreciated in Philly. Best place for tailgates before sporting events/concerts too. Free parking, space to run around and the cops usually don't bother you too much.

Peter D.

Yelp
While perhaps not as nice as other parks of its size in the rest of the country, FDR is pretty good in attracting people of all types. It has the National Swedish Museum, a really cool boathouse from the early part of the last century and most importantly...plenty of places to play baseball, a skatepark, and of course a gazebo. I really like FDR if it weren't for where it was located. Pattison Ave is a HIKE from anywhere with people and it is not entirely worth it if you are going by yourself. It's a car park. Therefore you round up the friends, get a picnic or bbq of some variety going, and then it's fun. I really enjoyed my short time perusing the park and I definitely would like to come back on a warmer day.

Mike C.

Yelp
I really wish they would just clean up FDR park, clean the boathouse, repaint, have people use the paddle boats and row boats again, reopen the snack bars down there and start making it a fun, fully operational family park again for people to enjoy. Not keep it the way it is now. There's broken glass all over the place, beer bottles just thrown all over the grass. I wish the Fairmount park commission would do something about it. Bring this place back to life! Not keep it a trash bin.

Neil D.

Yelp
Located in Deep South Philly, across from the sports complexes and stadiums, FDR Park is one of Philadelphia's best, yet most unheralded parks. Originally designed by the Olmsted brothers (think Central Park) in the early 1900s, FDR Park has something for everyone, and everyone is doing something. If you take a loop on the 1.5 mile path you'll see it all. Full tennis courts on a warm day or night, family reunions on weekends in the picnic areas, after-work softball games, young skateboarders tricking it up under I-95, Cambodians barbequing with three generations of family, fishing in one of the lakes, you name it. There's also the American Swedish Museum, if you care to soak in the early history of Swedish settlers in and around Philadelphia in the 1600s. As well as information on modern Swede/American relations. If you are jonesing for meatballs, go to Ikea.

Christina M.

Yelp
The park is really nice!!!! I was a bit nervous when I saw people with random horses around and people trying to eat...If you know what I mean!!! For a philly park it is really nice and descent. ..

Carlo D.

Yelp
What a shame it's summer and my review is now its was a great park now the crowds leave what they are TRASH!!!! Clean up after yourself.