Immerse yourself at Bartram’s Garden on the Tidal Schuylkill River in Southwest Philadelphia to connect with peers and get connected—via hiking, biking, gardening or boating—to the land and river at a vibrant 50-acre free public park that is also the country’s oldest surviving botanic garden.
The Garden takes its name from colonial botanist John Bartram who established his family farm here in 1728, but the land holds generations of stories. Your time here will connect you to everyone from the indigenous Lenni Lenape who called upon the riches of the tidal wetlands as long ago as 4000 BCE, to early American scientists and gardeners who sought the Bartram family’s botanical knowledge, to today’s neighborhood youth leaders who leverage their paid internships at the Garden to grow their own businesses, advocacy, and community outreach.
Join us for a guided outdoor walking tour to explore this legendary landscape and some of its many stories. Then choose from an array of hands-on activities: a guided bike ride on the Bartram’s Mile Trail, a stroll in the historic botanic garden with the curator, getting your hands dirty with the gardeners and farmers or taking a kayak or rowboat for a spin from the community boathouse. All equipment, training, and safety materials will be provided; all activities will be outdoors.
Note: Participants are encouraged to dress comfortably for outdoor fun, with sun and insect protection.
