City to Extend MLK Drive Closures for Recreation on Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Holiday Weekends

PHILADELPHIA - The Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) announces that the last recreational weekend closure on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive for the season will take place Thursday, November 27,through Sunday,November 30, 2025. Asthe season comesto a close, the Cityis extendingrecreational use of the drive over Veterans Day weekend and the Thanksgiving holiday weekend forrunners, cyclists,and walkers to enjoy traffic-free access.

The remainder of the recreational closure season includes:

• Saturday, November 8 to-Tuesday, November 11 (Veteran's Day Weekend)
• Saturday, November 15 to Sunday, November 16
• Saturday, November 22 to Sunday, November 23
• Thursday, November 27 to Sunday, November 30(Thanksgiving)

Hours for all days listed above are 7 a.m. on through 7 a.m.

Recreational use of space on MLK Drive will resume in Spring 2026 as the City continues to work with agencies and partners to provide scenic, clean, and traffic-free space for all to enjoy. The newly renovated MLK Drive Bridgeand its side path will remain available to walkers, joggers, and cyclists as a traffic-free alternative during the interim.

Since 1995, the City has proudly offered the seasonal and popular outdoor space on MLK Drive in Fairmount Park as one of many quality-of-life improvements in Philadelphia. The Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems(OTIS), Philadelphia Parks and Recreation(PPR), and the Department of Streetswork together to oversee the program, with support from the Philadelphia Police Department(PPD) and Department of Sanitation.

If users notice any issues with gates and closures during the weekend, please contact the City by emailing [email protected].