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Nothing is more enchanting than the warm glow of a full moon on a cold winter's night. Let’s celebrate the final public program of the season and the last full moon of 2021 with a moonwalk led by veteran hike leader Brad Maule!December's full Moon is most commonly known as the "Cold Moon" —a Mohawk name that conveys the frigid conditions of this time of year. First, we'll experience the rising of the Cold Moon and use the moonlight to guide us on a short hike on a portion of the Boxer's Trail, appreciating nature lit by the glowing moon. Using minimal artificial light, we'll let our eyes adjust to look for nocturnal creatures who take advantage of moonlight to scour the ground for their next meal. We'll also pass several East Park historic houses decorated and lit up for the holiday season!
Next we'll turn our attention to the moon itself by ending the hike with a guided moon observation at Edgley Field. As you observe through your own binoculars*, we'll have a moon chart on hand and Brad will point out interesting visible surface features such as dark gray mares (seas) and white reflective highlands.
Following the hike, we’ll warm up our frosty toes with a fire pit and hot cider and ginger snap cookies!
If you're a lunar lunatic, this is not an evening to miss!
(* a limited supply of binoculars will be available to borrow if you do not have your own)
TICKET PRICES: Pay what you can:
$15, $20, or $25
[ Not sure what to pay? Please refer to this Sliding Scale Pricing FAQ for additional info. ]
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS: If Philadelphia’s parks make a difference in your life – consider becoming a member of Fairmount Park Conservancy and help ensure that Philadelphia’s parks are enhanced for generations to come. PLUS members register first for events and enjoy discounts on park experiences including Treetop Quest, Shofuso and more!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
Estimated distance: 2 miles
Level: easy to moderate
Terrain: combination of flat open parkland and hilly trails
Appropriate for adults and families with children ages 12 & up. Minors must be registered and accompanied by an adult.
For optimal moon enjoyment, bring a pair of binoculars
Please dress according to weather conditions. It will most likely be pretty chilly out there, so remember to layer up!
wear sturdy walking / hiking footwear
Please bring your own water and snacks (drinking water is not available in the park)
Friendly dogs on leash are welcome.
We will use moonlight whenever possible, but for portions of the trail, we recommend bringing flashlight, headlamp, or fully charged smartphone.
There are bathrooms available at the beginning and end of the hike if absolutely necessary
PARKING: there is plenty of free parking in Woodford's back driveway and along Dauphin Dr. As always, NEVER leave valuables in your car!
IMPORTANT: This is a night hike and we will leave promptly at scheduled time (4:00 pm). Please arrive at the departure location at least 5 minutes early. We cannot guarantee latecomers will be able to join after the group has departed.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS: By registering for this event you are agreeing to follow ALL of these protocols:
This event has limited capacity. Please only register if you fully intend to attend and let us know if you need to cancel ASAP.
Participants must maintain 6 feet of distance from one another during the event.
Please bring a mask. We encourage you to wear it if you're in proximity to others.
If you or anyone in your household are exhibiting COVID-19 systems, please stay home.
POSTPONEMENT / CANCELLATION POLICY: In case of inclement weather or cloudy conditions, the event will be postponed to the following day on Sunday, Dec. 19. If conditions persist, event will be cancelled and attendees are eligible for a full refund.
GUIDE BIO: Brad Maule has led hikes for Fairmount Park Conservancy since 2014. In 2015 at the Fairmount Water Works, he exhibited One Man’s Trash, a yearlong collection of trash and its associated data from the Wissahickon Valley Park. With a background in photography, he’s worked with Friends of the Wissahickon, Mt Airy CDC, Chestnut Hill Conservancy, and Hidden City Philadelphia. Parks have been central to his entire existence on this planet, from his hometown Tyrone, PA to Portland, Oregon to Mt Airy, where he’s lived with his cat since 2013.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Woodford (mansion), Philadelphia, PA 19132, United States
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