Free Space Requests
Are you planning a small private event or community gathering?
Bartram’s Garden provides free space for small indoor or outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people, prioritizing events that are rooted in our Southwest Philadelphia neighborhood or tied to our mission and values.
See more details and submit a space request below.
Owing to limited capacity, not all requests are granted. Consideration of requests can take up to 4 weeks.
Free Event Space Requests
Owing to limited space and staffing constraints, we are unable to grant every request, but we will do our best to support events large or small whenever we have the capacity.
Please see details below before submitting your space request using the form at the bottom of this page. Request considerations can take up to 4 weeks.
Here are some ways to assess if Bartram’s Garden might be a good fit for your event space request:
Event Size
- Your event is a private, invitation-only gathering for up to 50 people or
- Your event is a community event that you will advertise publicly.
Scheduling
- Your desired date is at least 4 weeks away or
- You have flexibility on scheduling.
Food & Drink
- No alcohol will be served at your event and
- Your event’s food will all be delivered or BYO, without any on-site food service or catering.
For events seeking to hire a full catering service or serve alcohol, please contact our exclusive event partners, Jamie Hollander Gourmet.
Please note that requests for free space take up to 4 weeks to consider and that not all requests are granted.
We strongly recommend submitting your space request via the form below at least 3 months in advance of your preferred event date.
For more information about free space requests, contact Director of Public Programs Zach Webber at or 215 729 5281 x112.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fill out this form just to have a small picnic?
No! Groups of 50 or less are always welcome to come for private, unamplified gatherings and find space outdoors on a first-come, first-served basis.
Click here to view picnic areas on the map, or bring your own blanket and find a favorite spot!
Are there rules for events?
Yes, there are rules for events. If your event is granted free space, you will receive specific rules for your reservation.
All visitors and event participants are also asked to follow our site rules. View full City of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Rules and Regulations here.
Finally, when planning your event, please refrain from:
- Amplified sound without prior permission through a space request
- Helium balloons, glitter, or confetti
How far in advance must I submit my space request?
We recommend that you reach out at least 3 months in advance of your proposed event date, but it doesn’t hurt to ask anyway if your preferred date is coming up sooner than that. In general, it takes at least 4 weeks for our team to review a request and respond.
How much will it cost to rent a space?
We do not currently have a rental program. If this is a special place for you, or if you enjoy time at the Garden and would otherwise have been able to pay a rental fee if holding your event elsewhere, we encourage you to make a tax-deductible donation to ensure that the Garden is always open and welcoming for everyone.
There are several ways to use space in this public garden:
- If your activity meets the criteria listed above, you may be a good fit to request free space using the form below. We cannot accommodate every request.
- If you are coordinating a private outdoor gathering for a group of 50 people or fewer, find outdoor space on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Private catered events held with our exclusive event partners, Jamie Hollander Gourmet, include a site fee as part of the contract. No portion of the event contract is tax-deductible.
When is there most availability for events?
If you can be flexible with your date and time, we are much more likely to be able to provide space for your event.
We host events throughout the year, 7 days a week. We are most likely to be able to accommodate events between 10am and 4pm, with occasional availability outside this timeframe.
Weekends tend to fill up quickly, as do the months of May, June, September, and October.
What kind of events are held at the Garden?
We host picnics, meetings, retreats, book launch parties, baby showers, family reunions, fundraisers, walks, and much more.
Our staff also partner with many organizations and individuals to host a variety of performances, classes, art shows, and wellness events.
If you are interested in gathering people at the Garden for any reason, please complete the form below and we will be in touch soon!
Who decides whether my event gets space?
Your space request will be considered by our Logistics Team, made up of staff members from across our organization. The Logistics Team determines our ability to meet the needs of each request, based on scheduling, site availability, staff availability, and other factors.
We prioritize space requests that are rooted in our Southwest Philadelphia neighborhood or tied to our mission and values.
Is funding available to support my event?
Bartram’s Garden hosts the Yes Fund, a simple micro-grant program for Southwest Philadelphia residents, designed to say YES! to neighbors and organizations with the intent to solve problems in their community.
A limited amount of funding is available to support the great work of community leaders in Southwest Philadelphia through events and gatherings. Learn more here.
Free Event Space Request Form
Are you interested in holding your community event or private gathering at Bartram’s Garden? Please share more details using the form below and a member of our staff will be in touch with you soon.
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