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List of parks in Philadelphia facts for kids

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Phila parks
Map of the major parks within the city
(click to enlarge)

Philadelphia is a city with lots of green spaces! It has many parks, squares, playgrounds, sports fields, and even golf courses. When you add up all these areas, including state and federal parks, it comes to about 11,211 acres (45.37 km²). That's a huge amount of space for outdoor fun!

Before 2010, the Fairmount Park system managed 63 park areas. This included six city-owned golf courses. It also covered the pretty landscaped areas of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the Roosevelt Boulevard.

Today, all these green spaces are managed by the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation department. This department was created in 2010 when the Fairmount Park Commission and the Department of Recreation joined together. They look after 378 different places! These include 7 very large parks like Fairmount Park and FDR Park. There are also 143 neighborhood parks, 156 recreation centers with playgrounds, and many sports fields and swimming pools. Plus, they manage 40 community gardens and orchards.

Philadelphia is a city that really values its parks. It ranks ninth among the most crowded cities in the United States for park space per person. For every 1,000 residents, there are about 7.2 acres of parkland. The city is also fourth in total parkland among these busy cities. Only New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago have more parkland. About 13.5% of Philadelphia's land is set aside for parks. This is the eighth highest percentage among the most crowded cities.

Famous Parks in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has many well-known parks that are popular with both locals and visitors.

Fairmount Park

Fairmount Park is one of the largest urban parks in the world. It covers over 2,000 acres in West Philadelphia. This park is a great place for walking, biking, and enjoying nature.

Wissahickon Valley Park

Wissahickon Valley Park is another huge park, located in Northwest Philadelphia. It spans over 2,000 acres and is known for its beautiful trails and the Wissahickon Creek. It's a perfect spot for hiking and exploring.

Pennypack Park

In Northeast Philadelphia, you'll find Pennypack Park, which is about 1,343 acres. This park offers a mix of natural areas and recreational facilities.

Cobbs Creek Park

Cobbs Creek Park is located in West and Southwest Philadelphia. It covers 851 acres and provides green space for many neighborhoods.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park

FDR Park is in South Philadelphia and is 348 acres. It's a popular spot for sports, picnics, and events.

Tacony Creek Park

Tacony Creek Park is a 304-acre park in Northeast Philadelphia. It follows the Tacony Creek and offers trails for walking and cycling.

Poquessing Creek Park

Also in the Northeast, Poquessing Creek Park is 189 acres. It's another beautiful natural area for outdoor activities.

Popular City Squares and Green Spaces

Philadelphia is also famous for its historic city squares and modern green spaces.

LOVE Park Philly
LOVE Park, officially called John F. Kennedy Plaza
  • LOVE Park: Officially called John F. Kennedy Plaza, this park is famous for its "LOVE" sculpture. It's a popular spot for photos and skateboarding.
2013 Franklin Square Fountain
Franklin Square fountain
  • Franklin Square: One of William Penn's original five squares, it's now a fun family park with a carousel, mini-golf, and a fountain.
DilworthParkOpening
Dilworth Park during opening
  • Dilworth Park: Located right next to City Hall, this modern park has a fountain in summer and an ice-skating rink in winter.
Philadelphia cityscape BW 20150328
Schuylkill Banks boardwalk and Center City
Schuylkill River Trail (Philadelphia)
Schuylkill River Trail, Schuylkill Banks
  • Schuylkill Banks: This area along the Schuylkill River offers a boardwalk and trails. It's great for walking, running, and enjoying river views.
Independence Mall 2004
Independence Mall
  • Independence National Historical Park: This park is home to important historical sites like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. It's a must-see for learning about American history.
Swann Fountain (Philadelphia)
Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Circle
  • Logan Circle: Another one of the original squares, it features the beautiful Swann Memorial Fountain.
GirardFountainPark
Girard Fountain Park and bronze bust of Benjamin Franklin

List of Major Parks

Here is a table showing some of Philadelphia's major parks, their neighborhoods, and their approximate sizes.

Park Neighborhood / Area Acres Ref.
Fairmount Park West 2052
Wissahickon Valley Park Northwest 2042
Pennypack Park Northeast 1343
Cobbs Creek Park West, Southwest 851
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park South 348
Tacony Creek Park Northeast 304
Benjamin Rush State Park Northeast 275
Poquessing Creek Park Northeast 189
Morris Park Overbrook 147
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum Southwest 145 double-dagger
Morris Arboretum Chestnut Hill 92
Hunting Park North 87
Burholme Park Northeast 85
Awbury Arboretum Germantown 55
Independence National Historical Park Center City 55
Bartram's Garden Southwest 45
Penn Park University City 24
Marconi Plaza South 23 dagger
Glen Foerd on the Delaware Northeast 18
Pastorius Park Chestnut Hill 16
Schuylkill Banks Center City, South, West 10 dagger
Franklin Square Center City 9.6 dagger
Logan Circle (and surrounding square) Center City 9.6 dagger
Rittenhouse Square Center City 8.3 dagger
Washington Square Center City 8.3 dagger
LOVE Park (JFK Plaza) Center City 3.4 dagger
Dilworth Park Center City 2.8 dagger
Girard Fountain Park Old City 0.15

dagger Approximate acres based on OpenStreetMap estimates
double-dagger Philadelphia acres only—most of this wildlife refuge is in Delaware County

Images for kids

  • TinicumNWR

    John Heinz NWR at Tinicum

  • Philadelphia5590

    Eakins Oval

  • Pastorius Park

    Pastorius Park

  • Washington Monument-Philadelphia-27527

    Washington Monument

  • TookanyCreek

    Tookany Creek

  • Fernhill Park (Philadelphia).JPG

    Fernhill Park

  • Wister's Woods.JPG

    Wister's Woods

  • Marconi Plaza.jpg

    Marconi Plaza

  • Stenton Park.JPG

    Stenton Park

  • Makefield Park.JPG

    Makefield Park

  • Tacony Park.JPG

    Tacony Park

  • Jardel Park.JPG

    Jardel Park

  • Bradford Park.JPG

    Bradford Park

  • Schuylkill River Park.JPG

    Schuylkill River Park

  • Franklin's Paine Skatepark.JPG

    Franklin's Paine Skatepark

  • Sister Cities Park.JPG

    Sister Cities Park

  • Matthias Baldwin Park.JPG

    Matthias Baldwin Park

  • Race Street Pier.JPG

    Race Street Pier

  • John F. Collins Park.JPG

    John F. Collins Park

  • Philadelphia Korean War Memorial.JPG

    Korean War Memorial Park

  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park.JPG

    Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park

  • Spruce Street Harbor Park.JPG

    Spruce Street Harbor Park

  • Drexel Park.JPG

    Drexel Park

  • Cira Green.JPG

    Cira Green

  • Columbus Square, Philadelphia.JPG

    Columbus Square

  • Wharton Square, Philadelphia.JPG

    Wharton Square

  • Stephen Girard Park.JPG

    Stephen Girard Park

  • Dickinson Square Park.JPG

    Dickinson Square Park

  • Jefferson Square, Philadelphia.JPG

    Jefferson Square

  • Mifflin Square, Philadelphia.JPG

    Mifflin Square

  • Starr Garden Park.JPG

    Starr Garden Park

  • Pier 68.JPG

    Pier 68

  • Gold Star Park.JPG

    Gold Star Park

  • Palmer Park (Philadelphia).JPG

    Palmer Park

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List of parks in Philadelphia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.