Friends of Vernon Park

Please read our statement regarding recent events, concerns and issues raised related to the renovation of the former Germantown YWCA building:

View our 2020 Annual Summary and learn how to get involved in 2021!

We are so thankful for our community’s commitment to taking care of one another. Please continue to utilize Vernon Park safely, enjoying the sunshine and the spring blooms. Please refrain from gatherings of any size at this time, due to state & city guidelines. No Parks & Recreation event permits are being issued at this time.

If possible try to carry in/carry out any trash (FOVP & Parks & Recreation is working hard to keep the park litter free but all are navigating a personnel shortage), wear a mask and give your fellow park-users space of at least 6 ft. Please continue to report any illegal dumping, downed tree limbs, ect. to us at info@friendsofvernonpark.org and posting (with photos, if possible) to 311.

We welcome you to join the conversation and stewardship of Vernon Park! Sign up for our monthly mailing list here. Follow us on Facebook and most importantly, continue to visit and enjoy Vernon Park, the ‘Emerald of Germantown’.

Thanks to everyone who joined us on Saturday! Check out our photos here.

Children, families and neighbors of any & all faiths are invited to take part in decorating Vernon Park’s blue spruce by the peace pole (aka Carrie’s tree) to celebrate our community spirit this special time of year. Feel free to make something and add to the messages of Peace & Love next time you walk through the park.

Carrie’s tree was planted in 2018 in loving memory of our friend Carrie Lewis. 🌲💚

Join us on the citywide Philadelphia Parks & Recreation + Fairmount Park Conservancy Fall 2019 #LoveYourPark day to show some love for the ‘Emerald of Germantown’, Vernon Park! Earlier this fall we hosted student volunteers from Villanova University who did a great job clearing the playground-area rose garden bed of debris, invasive species and weeds. Now it’s time to plant and mulch! We will have tools and gloves, so just bring yourselves and wear clothing you don’t mind gardening in.

We want this garden to be a playground for butterflies, too, so we’ll be planting butterfly friendly native companion plants, ground covers and hostas. If you would like to contribute to this garden by dividing up plants from yours, please contact info@friendsofvernonpark.org.

We’ll also be clearing the sidewalks of fallen leaves and taking care of a few other seasonal spruce-ups. All ages welcome. There will be arts and crafts activities for children. Student volunteers are welcome to bring paperwork for community service credit from their schools. Come have some hot cider, learn about Friends of Vernon Park and enjoy some time in our neighborhood park together. #myphillypark

Sign up here: https://loveyourpark.givepulse.com/event/140118-Playground-Garden-Planting-and-Fall-Park-Cleanup

Update: All 50 Trees have been reserved. Please note there is a waitlist through the registration form. Thanks so much for supporting this project with TreePhilly!

At this year’s Bazaar & Flea Market you may be able to bring home a FREE tree from your yard, thanks to TreePhilly! We highly recommend reserving in advance. Trees must be picked up from Vernon Park on Saturday, October 19 in Vernon Park from 10am-2pm.

Missed the signup? No worries. You can sign up to the waitlist form if any become available or to be contacted about Future TreePhilly Yard Tree Giveaways.

Vendors Welcome!

new/used/handmade/secondhand items

arts/activities/community resources & organizations

$12 advance/$20 day of. Kindly BYO table/display

*please no food vending without approved City licenses

Vendors: Be sure to complete the form below and hit ‘submit’.

You will then see a confirmation message on the screen and receive a confirmation email. Thank you!

Vendor Registration Step 1:

Download and Read the FAQ’s

Vendor Registration Step 2:

Complete Registration Form:

Vendor Registration Step 3:

Payment:

Vendors, after completing the registration form, pay online* for your space here.

Checks/money orders can also be made payable to ‘Friends of Vernon Park’ and sent to 

Friends of Vernon Park | P.O. Box 48374 | Philadelphia, PA 19144

*Vendor payments are received in the form of a donation to Friends of Vernon Park and go directly back into greening, cleaning and stewardship efforts of ‘the Emerald of Germantown. The Fall Bazaar is our annual fundraising event. Thank you for your support of our Community Bazaar!

This summer, join Friends of Vernon Park and Friends of Joseph E. Coleman Library Under the Shady Old Tree!

Mark your calendars: On 4 Friday afternoons in August, relax in the shade and explore a different theme each week such as beekeeping, essential oils and herbal blends, cooking with natural spices, yoga, spoken word, creativity and more! Storytime and reading circles, arts & crafts and workshops for kids, teens and adults. Free and open to all!

Made possible with support from Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Neighborhood Collaboration Grant. In the event of bad weather, events will be held at Joseph E. Coleman NW Library.

Friends & neighbors, join us during Love Your Park Week 2019 on Saturday, May 11 from 11am – 2pm! Outdoor fun for all ages in the ‘Emerald of Germantown’, Vernon Park! Pack a picnic blanket and your favorite snacks and come enjoy games, arts & crafts, walking tours of the park’s rain garden and botanical + historical treasures, butterfly garden planting and more (kickball, anyone?).

Partake in any of the activities or simply just relax under a tree with a book in this lovely green space. Come connect with your neighbors, enjoy the beauty of the park’s many offerings, learn about Friends of Vernon Park and celebrate our wonderful community. All are welcome! Rain Date: May 18 (same time).

View online here: FOVP_AnnualReport_2018_web!