Some exciting things are happening at The Woodlands this spring but first, here’s an important message from the staff: The Woodlands Cemetery grounds will be closed to all visitors on Monday, April 10 for tree maintenance. More than 1,000 trees are growing at The Woodlands, and it’s time for a much-needed refresh of the aging tree canopy. The mature trees at the cemetery make this place very special. If you would like to contribute to The Woodlands Tree Fund to help care for them, please click here.

Here’s a list of events happening this and next month. Please note that the Spring edition of the West Craft Fest will not be held this year due to some scheduling conflicts. The Fest will be back in September. Continue Reading

Here’s a great chance to spend some time after dark at The Woodlands and learn more about one of nature’s magnificent creatures – the firefly! A popular summer event, Firefly Night, will return this Wednesday, June 29, from 6 – 9 p.m. to 40th and Woodland as part of the Nature Nights series.

At the event, guests can watch for fireflies in The Woodlands after dark, all while enjoying a sweet treat from the Popalong Truck. You can also learn about The Discovery Center and have fun with a nature activity. Tangle Movement Arts will present a firefly-inspired aerial performance. After the aerial performance, there will be a chance to explore the Philadelphia Orchard Project (POP) learning orchard located near Woodland Avenue.

Don’t forget to pack a picnic and a flashlight! Continue Reading

Photo from www.schuylkillbanks.org

Work has finished on the newest segment of the Schuylkill Banks Trail, which runs from 56th Street to the vicinity of 61st Street in Southwest Philadelphia. The new trail segment extends Schuylkill Banks an additional 1,800 feet south and includes 1.6 acres of greenway, a large riverfront platform for fishing and community events, awesome views of the river and the Philadelphia skyline, lighting for nighttime use, benches, lawn areas, and newly planted trees and flowers.

This project is the first phase of a larger, eight-mile riverfront trail extension project that will eventually extend to Passyunk Avenue. Schuylkill Banks is a project of the Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SRDC), a non-profit organization, and the City of Philadelphia. SRDC is working to revitalize the Schuylkill River corridor from the Fairmount Dam to the Delaware River. Continue Reading

Hamilton Mansion (Photo courtesy of The Woodlands)

The Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion is bringing back some of its popular seasonal events, both for children and adults, after last year’s hiatus. Check out more info below about this year’s After Hours event, Halloween Family Fun Day and Halloween Cocktail Party. Also, bird lovers are invited to the Woodlands on Friday, Oct. 8 for an early morning bird walk (the event begins at 7:30 a.m.). This is a great chance to observe birds during fall migration. The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Go here for more info. Continue Reading

Here’s some more exciting news from the historic Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion.

You may have noticed a new wood log installation near the road not far from the entrance where Tiny Circus usually holds its performances during West Craft Fests. By the way, that area is called a Community Welcome Zone. Here’s the story behind the installation, according to the Woodlands’ Program and Operations Manager Emma Max.

The Woodlands has recently completed tree work as part of the general tree upkeep and maintenance program. One large tree had fallen and two large trees died over the past year, which is not uncommon with over 1,000 mature trees onsite. Placing the large, hollowed out logs in the Community Welcome Zone was the idea of the Woodlands Arborist, Chris Arader of Arader Tree Service. Continue Reading

POP volunteer laying the groundwork for the new orchard. (Photo courtesy of The Woodlands)

The Woodlands has recently announced a very exciting project in partnership with the Philadelphia Orchard Project – the POP Learning Orchard! (You may have noticed new trees planted in the fenced in area along Woodland Avenue.)

The POP Learning Orchard space is designed to provide West Philadelphia residents with educational, nutritional and recreational opportunities. It will also help transform The Woodlands, which has a rich horticultural history, closer to how it would have functioned in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.  Continue Reading