After being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Franklin Square is finally coming back with lots of family fun for the warm months ahead. The park reopens Monday, July 6 with food, Philly Mini Golf, the iconic Parx Liberty Carousel, both playgrounds, and the return of the fountain show every half hour! The park opens at 10 am, with activities beginning at noon. Here’s what to expect when Franklin Square returns for the season with new social distancing protocols.

Hand sanitizing stations have been added throughout the Square as well as friendly social distancing reminders. Speaking of signage, new colorful ground decals will guide guests who are looking to get a little outdoor exercise on a walking loop around the square (three loops equals one mile). For kids wanting to get in on the action, the new Silly Square Stroll features fun signage throughout the Square suggesting ways to get up and moving.

Photograph by Laura Swartz

All Franklin Square staff will have daily health screenings and will be required to wear masks and use gloves or regularly sanitize hands on site. In accordance with city protocol, guests must wear masks and use hand sanitizer while enjoying the park’s green space and playgrounds. Guests will be required to wear masks while riding the Parx Liberty Carousel and playing Philly Mini Golf as well.

The park is taking further measures to make those two popular activities safer. Golf clubs and balls will be sanitized between uses, and tickets will be limited to ensure social distancing. Contactless entrance is available for tickets purchased online in advance—just show your ticket on your phone. In-person ticketing is available as well. Carousel animals will be marked with masks to indicate which ones can be ridden to ensure safe distancing. The animals that are closed will be covered with a blanket—sorry, sleepy animals!

Courtesy of Historic Philadelphia

From July 6—31, the Franklin Square Fountain Show will return, running performances on an expanded schedule every 30 minutes from noon—9 pm daily. Beginning August 1, the show will return to its regular schedule with daily daytime performances every 30 minutes from noon—2 pm and evening performances beginning at 6 pm and running every 30 minutes until closing.

And of course, SquareBurger will be open, serving burgers, shakes, and more (including their famous Cake Shake). It will be open seven days a week beginning at 11:30 am until one hour before the Square closes.

Franklin Square is located at Sixth and Race streets in Philadelphia. Summer hours will be from 10 am—9 pm.  Entrance is free—carousel, mini golf, and food are pay-as-you-go.

Lead photograph by Jeff Fusco, courtesy of Historic Philadelphia.