FAQs
Who owns and maintains Eastern State Penitentiary Park and Corinthian Gardens?
FESPP leases the property from the City of Philadelphia. Neighbors, like you, are all part owners of this lovely space, and we hope that you will be involved in helping to maintain and support this wonderful asset to our neighborhood. It costs about $24,000 a year to maintain the park. We can only continue to maintain this for all to enjoy with your help.
When is the Park open?
Brown Street Lawn and the children’s Playpen are open year round. Corinthian Gardens is open dawn to dusk from March-October. The gates around Corinthian Gardens are managed by volunteers, who are responsible for opening and closing the Garden each day.
How do I volunteer with FESPP or at the Garden?
Visit our Get Involved page.
Are dogs allowed on the lawn? In the Garden?
By city ordinance, dogs are permitted on the lawn only if they are kept on leash. Dogs off leash (like cleats see below) can tear up the lawn, especially when the ground is wet. Reseeding takes place one to two times a year, from your donations and money raised from our events. The fuller and stronger the grass grows, the shorter amount of time the lawn will be closed for reseeding. Please clean up after your dogs and be mindful of where they relieve themselves as there are children sharing the same space. Please do not allow your dogs to dig holes. Please tread lightly and be mindful. All of these efforts will help preserve the lawn for everyone to enjoy!
Dogs are not permitted in Corinthian Gardens as many of our plants are edible.
Are cleats allowed on the lawn?
Wearing cleats is not permitted. Cleats, like dogs off leash (see above), tear up the lawn, especially when the ground is wet. Reseeding takes place one to two times a year, from your donations and money raised from our events. The fuller and stronger the grass grows, the shorter amount of time the lawn will be closed for reseeding. Please tread lightly and be mindful so all can enjoy!
Can I bring food and drink to the Park?
Food and drink are permitted in all areas of the Park. Personal grills are not allowed in the Park. There are limited trash cans along Brown Street and Corinthian Ave. Please take any trash items with you.
Can I use the Garden or Lawn for a party?
FESPP accepts reservations for small parties on the Brown Street Lawn and in the Garden space. Please see our Events and Reservations page for more information.
If you are looking for outdoor space to host a larger gathering, Fairmount Park is nearby! Learn more by visiting the Philly Parks and Recreation Website.
Can I pick the flowers and vegetables growing in Corinthian Gardens?
Visitors are encouraged to explore the many plants growing throughout the Garden. So that everyone can enjoy the space, please refrain from picking flowers or greenery. Garden volunteers are assigned an individual plot to grow their own vegetables. These plots are in the roped off area near the Brown Street entrance. Volunteers invest a lot of time and money to tend to their garden beds, so please do not enter this area unless you have a plot.
Are you interested in getting a plot? See Join the garden.
I have gardening questions. Can anyone help me?
We love gardening! If you have questions, email us at [email protected] and we will do our best to answer them. Here are additional resources for gardeners:
Where can I find other community gardens in Philadelphia?
Here is a map of community gardens in Philadelphia. Enjoy!
FESPP leases the property from the City of Philadelphia. Neighbors, like you, are all part owners of this lovely space, and we hope that you will be involved in helping to maintain and support this wonderful asset to our neighborhood. It costs about $24,000 a year to maintain the park. We can only continue to maintain this for all to enjoy with your help.
When is the Park open?
Brown Street Lawn and the children’s Playpen are open year round. Corinthian Gardens is open dawn to dusk from March-October. The gates around Corinthian Gardens are managed by volunteers, who are responsible for opening and closing the Garden each day.
How do I volunteer with FESPP or at the Garden?
Visit our Get Involved page.
Are dogs allowed on the lawn? In the Garden?
By city ordinance, dogs are permitted on the lawn only if they are kept on leash. Dogs off leash (like cleats see below) can tear up the lawn, especially when the ground is wet. Reseeding takes place one to two times a year, from your donations and money raised from our events. The fuller and stronger the grass grows, the shorter amount of time the lawn will be closed for reseeding. Please clean up after your dogs and be mindful of where they relieve themselves as there are children sharing the same space. Please do not allow your dogs to dig holes. Please tread lightly and be mindful. All of these efforts will help preserve the lawn for everyone to enjoy!
Dogs are not permitted in Corinthian Gardens as many of our plants are edible.
Are cleats allowed on the lawn?
Wearing cleats is not permitted. Cleats, like dogs off leash (see above), tear up the lawn, especially when the ground is wet. Reseeding takes place one to two times a year, from your donations and money raised from our events. The fuller and stronger the grass grows, the shorter amount of time the lawn will be closed for reseeding. Please tread lightly and be mindful so all can enjoy!
Can I bring food and drink to the Park?
Food and drink are permitted in all areas of the Park. Personal grills are not allowed in the Park. There are limited trash cans along Brown Street and Corinthian Ave. Please take any trash items with you.
Can I use the Garden or Lawn for a party?
FESPP accepts reservations for small parties on the Brown Street Lawn and in the Garden space. Please see our Events and Reservations page for more information.
If you are looking for outdoor space to host a larger gathering, Fairmount Park is nearby! Learn more by visiting the Philly Parks and Recreation Website.
Can I pick the flowers and vegetables growing in Corinthian Gardens?
Visitors are encouraged to explore the many plants growing throughout the Garden. So that everyone can enjoy the space, please refrain from picking flowers or greenery. Garden volunteers are assigned an individual plot to grow their own vegetables. These plots are in the roped off area near the Brown Street entrance. Volunteers invest a lot of time and money to tend to their garden beds, so please do not enter this area unless you have a plot.
Are you interested in getting a plot? See Join the garden.
I have gardening questions. Can anyone help me?
We love gardening! If you have questions, email us at [email protected] and we will do our best to answer them. Here are additional resources for gardeners:
- Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
- Philly Orchard Project
- Penn State Master Gardener Program
- Vacant Land 215
- National Gardening Association
Where can I find other community gardens in Philadelphia?
Here is a map of community gardens in Philadelphia. Enjoy!