Event Description
Take a break from your desk and reconnect with the natural world — right in the middle of your workday.
Join us for the very first Nature at Noon, a new series of accessible lunchtime nature outings in and around Center City Philadelphia. Our kickoff event will be led by John Eskate, avid birder and Academy of Natural Sciences Senior Manager for Volunteer and Civic Engagement.
Nature at Noon is designed to bring joy, inclusion and curiosity to your lunch hour. These one-hour outdoor gatherings center accessibility, biodiversity, safety and connection — with programming that bridges science, art and community.
Inspired by the work of In Color Birding Club, Feminist Bird Club, Philly Queer Birders, PCAS Adaptive Birders and Disability Pride PA’s Outdoors for Everyone series, Nature at Noonis for everyone — no experience needed, just curiosity and a desire to step outside.
More About Nature at Noon
For this one-hour outing, we will meet at noon at the Rittenhouse Square entrance located at 19th and Walnut St, or you can plug this location into your map (39.9501253, -75.1723100).
Everyone is welcome — come as you are! We invite people of all backgrounds and abilities to join us, including disabled and neurodivergent nature-lovers and their support people. We will move at a pace that honors the needs of the group and invite you to share any access needs in advance so we can make your experience as enjoyable as possible.
We’ll use apps like iNaturalist and Merlin Bird ID to help identify the park’s biodiversity, and we encourage you to download the apps prior to the event, but it is not required. We will help you to navigate these tools if they are new for you. While we won’t explore every corner of the park or encounter every species, we will focus on some standout wildlife sure to spark your curiosity and wonder. Free Library birding backpacks and binoculars will be made available to everyone as supplies allow.
Access Features
- Surface/Terrain: The park surface is composed of sidewalk, brick pathways, looser brick sections near the center of the square and grassy areas. The area is level with no elevations or slopes.
- Public Bathroom: As there are no public bathrooms in the park, it is recommended that you use the bathroom before arrival.
- The area is shady and offers ample benches.
- Parking: 1845 Walnut St. (Philadelphia Parking Lot). Street parking is available.
- Public Transportation: Bus Routes 9, 12, 21, and 42
- Weather: If it is actively raining, we will postpone or cancel the event. Please check our Facebook event listing by 11 a.m. on event day to confirm.
Upcoming Destinations Include:
Independence Mall • Fairmount Water Works • Race Street Pier • Concourse Lake • Bartram’s Garden • Reading Viaduct Rail Park • and more
Please stay tuned for upcoming dates! |
