Everhart Park facts for kids

Everhart Park is a fun public park located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. It was opened in 1905, making it the second park in West Chester. The West Chester Department of Parks and Recreation takes care of it, making sure it's a great place for everyone to enjoy.

Where is Everhart Park?

Everhart Park is about 10.2 acres (4.1 ha) big. That's like 10 football fields! It's on the west side of West Chester, right next to East Bradford Township. The park has streets all around it: Brandywine Street to the east, Union Street to the south, Bradford Avenue to the west, and Miner Street to the north.

A small stream called Blackhorse Run starts right in the park. This stream flows into Brandywine Creek. The park is also quite high up, at about 400 feet (120 m) above sea level.

A Look Back: The History of Everhart Park

Everhart Park used to be part of the land owned by a famous local person named William Everhart. He called his property Everhart Grove. Long ago, in the 1840s and 1850s, people gathered here for important community meetings and even for political rallies. These were big events where people discussed ideas and supported their favorite leaders.

During the American Civil War, soldiers from West Chester practiced their drills and training in the park. After the war, veterans, who are people who served in the military, continued to use the park to stay fit and healthy.

How the Park Was Formed

In 1905, Dr. Isaiah Everhart generously gave the land to the town. The park needed some care, so a big project began to make it beautiful. In 1908, a lovely gazebo was built. The next year, a pond was created, and many special, rare trees were planted around it.

However, the pond was later drained in 1943, and the area became wetlands. In 1989, a group called the Friends of Everhart Park was created. They formed because a plan came up to build a pipeline that would have cut down almost 20 very old, large trees in the park. The Friends of Everhart Park worked hard to protect these important trees.

Fun Things to Do at Everhart Park

Everhart Park has lots of cool features for you to enjoy! There's a special building for activities, a basketball court for games, and a footbridge to walk across. If you want to eat outdoors, there's a gazebo, a grill, and picnic tables. You'll also find restrooms and a water fountain.

The Awesome Playground

The park has a fantastic playground with many different things to play on. You can find swing sets, an infinity loop climber, and a dragon challenge climber. There's also a see-saw shaped like a snake, a double chute slide for fast rides, and a cool fire engine play structure.

Exciting Events at the Park

Everhart Park is a busy place with many fun events happening throughout the year!

Summer Fun

From June to August, the park hosts art camps and a summer camp. These are great ways to learn new things and make friends during your break from school.

Holiday Celebrations

Every Easter, there's a huge Easter Egg hunt with more than 13,000 plastic eggs hidden! Hundreds of children come to search for them, making it a very exciting event.

Festivals and Music

The May Day Festival for the Arts happens every year on the first Sunday in May. It's a celebration of creativity and art. The Turks Head Music Festival is another popular event, held annually on the third Sunday in July, where you can enjoy live music.

Other events like Shakespeare in the Park, where actors perform plays, and plant sales are also held often at Everhart Park.