May 2025 Newsletter

Spring is in full swing at Clark Park! This month is jam packed with community events and reasons to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. Scroll on for more details. 

Join us at the 67th annual May Fair 

West Philadelphia’s favorite welcome to springtime, Spruce Hill May Fair, will return to Clark Park for its 67th year. This family-friendly event for all will be held on Saturday, May 10, 12-6 p.m.

Come experience all the traditional highlights of this community party! Seventy community organizations and local craft vendors will line our shady paths with helpful information and attractive goods. Live bands will perform during the fair. Children’s activities include art, games, a bouncy parlor and a petting zoo. Food vendors will ply you with lunch and snacks.

The May Fair is the chief annual fundraising activity for Spruce Hill Community Association. Clark Park lies entirely within Spruce Hill and is a core mission of the association. Learn about the many public-service projects that SHCA contributes to the community. You can support the neighborhood — and have fun doing so! — by buying tickets to win one of its raffle baskets as well as a silent auction.

There will be no rain date. For more information about the May Fair, contact

RichGuffanti@gmail.com.

Gardening crew updates

The Friends of Clark Park gardening crew has been hard at work lately, including planting $3,000 worth of donated plants and building a new watering cart. The team of volunteers gave the park some TLC last month for Earth Day. 

Parks on Tap returns​​

Come enjoy a drink, some great food, and a chance to hang outside with the rest of the West Philly community at Parks on Tap. The traveling beer garden will be in Clark Park May 21 to May 26. Expect a laid back outdoor setting with craft beer, cocktails and snacks like soft pretzels and brisket cheesesteaks. All seating is first come, first served; and, as always, dogs and kids are welcome.

Proceeds from Parks on Tap benefit the Fairmount Park Conservancy and each individual host park. Each park and location is collectively selected as a way to highlight and enhance the offerings that Philadelphia city parks provide. It aims for a simple aesthetic: well-kept outdoor spaces where friends and families can meet up to enjoy food, drinks and fun in a natural green space. 

Share your thoughts with SEPTA

Tell SEPTA what you think about the coming changes to the trolley lines. SEPTA is planning a number of improvements to the Route 36/T5 line as part of its Trolley Modernization Program. Share your feedback by filling out this survey, the deadline is May 9.  

What else is going on in Clark Park? 

Porchfest - Enjoy this DIY free music festival on May 31st from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Neighbors across West Philly will perform mini concerts on their porches. For a full map of shows visit their website. 

Love Your Park - Come show Clark Park some love during Love Your Park week, May 10-18. Love Your Park is a city-wide effort to clean up and celebrate the green spaces in Philadelphia organized by the Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Philadelphia's Park Friends Network. 

Yoga in the Park - Looking for some relaxing movement this month? Join Trinity on May 18 and 25 at 12 p.m. at Clark Park for an outdoors beginners yoga class. New this year is sound bowl healing. Purchase tickets here. 

cinéSPEAK Under the Stars - This free outdoor film festival is back at the end of the month on May 23 and May 30. The festivities start at 7 p.m. with a community hangout, speakers, food and music. The films will begin at 9 p.m. Check out the full lineup here. Rain dates are May 24 and 31st. 

West Philly Bizarre - The West Philly Bizarre is a non-profit market providing low-cost vending opportunities to West Philadelphia. The market will be out on May 24 and 31st from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the corner of 43rd Street and Chester Avenue. Stop by their booths to find an assortment of goods and wares. You can find more information on their website.

Farmers Market - Enjoy seasonal produce and other goods at the Clark Park farmers market! Open every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. SNAP benefits accepted with a 40% subsidy for market purchases. The market is located at the corner of Chester Ave and 43rd Street.

We Walk Clark Park - Program on Monday and Friday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The program is free of charge – just show up at the Dickens Statue and walk with us twice for a free T-shirt. We look forward to seeing you there! Contact Frank Chance at chancefl@gmail.com or checkout the Facebook page for further information.