Our Plans and Partners

Amplifying a shared vision to ensure the Garden’s future.

At a time of transformational external investment in Southwest Philadelphia and along the Tidal Schuylkill riverfront, we’re partnering with local and regional leaders to establish community-driven, world-class opportunities for learning, creating, and sharing at Bartram’s Garden.

We know major change is coming to our neighborhood: new developments are bringing more than $500 million in external investment to this area, and climate change exerts a disproportionate impact on our community’s health and safety.

Our campus masterplan, approved by the Board in 2020, ensures that this backyard riverfront stays welcoming for everyone, especially neighbors who call Southwest Philadelphia home.

Upcoming Masterplan Projects

FloatLab

State-of-the-art floating classroom and art space with Mural Arts Philadelphia.

Ecosystems Education Center & Freshwater Mussel Hatchery

Hands-on education alongside watershed restoration with Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.

Field Station & Welcome Center

A riverfront home for climate resilience and workforce development, as well as new trail amenities and a publicly accessible archive.

Naming & Sponsorship Opportunities

Fundraising is ongoing to ensure these projects’ successful completion and sustainable programming inviting, free community assets. We look forward to discussing ways to showcase your sponsorship through naming opportunities and other benefits.

To learn more, contact Director of Development & Communications Caroline Winschel at cwinschel@bartramsgarden.org or 215 729 5281 x104.

Neighborhood Development

Major initiatives along the Garden’s borders and in our wider Southwest Philadelphia neighborhood.

The NESTT

Nature-focused pre-K led by Woodland Academy/Greater Philadelphia Health Action.

Schuylkill Crossing Swing Bridge

Led by SRDC, a pedestrian- and bike-only connection to the Bartram’s Mile Trail.

Blossom at Bartram

The Philadelphia Housing Authority’s plan for redeveloping Bartram Village, immediately adjacent to Bartram’s Garden.

Concrete Cowboys Stable

With Parks & Recreation, a new stable for the Southwest Concrete Cowboys on the North Mile.

Trolley Modernization

SEPTA’s plans to update public transportation, including the nearby #36 trolley line.

Lower Schuylkill Biotech Campus

PIDC’s development of new bioproduction facilities immediately north and south of the Garden.

I'm interested in:

Biking & Walking

Birds

Boating & Fishing

Flowers, Plants & Trees

Gardening

History

Kids' Activities

Sankofa Community Farm

Southwest Philadelphia

Water Quality

Workshops, Wellness & Culture

Youth Internships

I'm interested in:

Biking & Walking

Birds

Look up! More than 100 species of birds rely on this ecosystem.

Boating & Fishing

Enjoy all that the Tidal Schuylkill River has to offer.

Flowers, Plants & Trees

See what’s blooming, find a favorite tree, and stroll the gardens and natural lands.

Gardening

Bring the Garden home! Shop for plants or grow food, trees, and more.

History

Uncover the interconnected stories of this historic site.

Kids' Activities

Join us year-round to learn, make, share, and wonder.

Sankofa Community Farm

“Go back and get it!” Growing food sovereignty with an African Diaspora focus.

Southwest Philadelphia

Resources and opportunities especially for neighbors in Southwest Philly.

Water Quality

Find our latest data on the river’s bacteria levels and recent rainfall.

Workshops, Wellness & Culture

Enjoy upcoming workshops, self-care, and events. Are you a Southwest artist? Let’s partner!

Youth Internships

Calling Southwest students: paid internships available with the river, the farm, and the trees.