On August 3, the Spells Writing Lab camp visited historic houses in Fairmount Park. Spells Writing Lab is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization that provides free creative and expository writing workshops to students in Philadelphia.

Spells Writing Lab campers received a guided tour through Cedar Grove, Laurel Hill, Lemon Hill, Mount Pleasant, Woodford and Strawberry Mansions. Campers explored the lives of notable colonial Philadelphians, experiencing an intimate telling about pirates, Quakers, British Loyalists, Patriots, and abolitionists who once lived in the mansions.

The week’s theme at Spells was “Blast from the Past.” Focusing on Philadelphia’s rich colonial history, campers were tasked with creating historical fiction narratives for their upcoming puppet show. Viewing 18th and 19th-century architecture, décor, cuisine, and fashion displayed in the homes, campers received an accurate depiction of colonial life. Inside the homes, campers took time to brainstorm and come up with tentative scripts for their show later in the week.

Parks are a great way to spark the imagination, and Spells’ visit to the historic homes inspired campers to create wonderful puppet shows. The puppet plays combined colonial details from the houses with fantastical elements such as time travel, aliens, and talking animals. Their plays, “The Great Escape,” “The Invention of Hot Dogs,” “An Outerspace Chaos,” “The Green Lady of Laurel Hill Mansion” and “Toilets through Time” can be accessed on the Spells Writing Lab YouTube channel.

For the past six years, Spells has used writing education to empower underserved youth to achieve personal and academic success. The program truly transforms the lives of children as they discover outlets of self-expression, become part of a community, and are able to make their own voices heard. Staying true to its purpose of creating innovative learning opportunities for students, the Spells visit to Fairmount Park allowed the campers to explore the rich history of Philadelphia. 

Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who manage and look after the city’s historic homes!

To discover the beautiful history and architecture of these Fairmount Park houses, please visit the Park Charms website. 

First stop: Laurel Hill Mansion

On December 13, fifteen members of the East Passyunk Community Center’s Seniors Club took a trip to Fairmount Park as part of their Christmas celebration. Their destination: Laurel Hill Mansion and Woodford, two of five historic houses in East and West Fairmount Park open to the public.

At Laurel Hill, the seniors were greeted by Recreation Specialty Instructor Jim Millisky. Jim provided the group information about the house and Rebecca Rawle, who had it built. 

Jim Millisky greets the guests. 

The group gathers (above) as Jim talks about the tree and its carousel animal ornaments (below). Some of the ornaments were created by East Passyunk Community Center volunteers.

Later, Jim and volunteer guides from the Women for Greater Philadelphia led the guests on a tour of the decorations inspired by a “Very Philly Fun" theme. The seniors especially enjoyed seeing the 14-foot high tree filled with carousel animals. The tree was a nod to the world-famous carousel-building companies that once called Philadelphia’s Germantown section home. In other rooms, the group saw displays of Flexible Flyer sleds and skis, and a tree made of Slinkys. They learned that all of these products were originally made in Philly.

East Passyunk Community Center Advisory Council president Joseph F. Marino (left) and members of the Seniors group pose for a photo.

Woodford Mansion

Next, the group headed to nearby Woodford Mansion. Guide Christine Mifsud led the group on a tour of the house, which is host to a large collection of Colonial furnishings and household items.

Above: the group gathers in Woodford’s main parlor 

The group listened closely as Christine described items that were once common but are no longer used. These included tea caddies, pipe boxes, and a “fuddling cup.”

Woodford guide Christine Misfud points out Colonial-era cooking items, including a toaster. 

As they headed to their bus, several group members expressed an interest to return to the houses in the spring to learn more.

If you’re interested in touring the historic houses, visit parkcharms.com for hours of operation, directions, and additional information.

Group members share a joke with Christine.

A Very Philly Christmas returns to Fairmount Park this winter, filling our historic homes with festive cheer… and we’ve got the scoop on what’s in store from the Historic House Coordinator himself, Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Ed Miller! There are lots of ways to join the fun, so read on for our insider’s guide to the sights, sounds, and flavors of the season: 

Special Events

While there are plenty of opportunities to experience A Very Philly Christmas through a series of December “Drop In” days at the historic homes, the first two weekends of the month offer extra-special events and activities: 

• Sounds of the Season (Saturday, December 2): Stop by Woodford Mansion from 1-3:30pm for the premiere of a musical installation by Jeri Johnson, Artistic Director of Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra. Pop in at Laurel Hill Mansion for a performance by Opera Philly, featuring the house’s 1808 pianoforte, from 2-2:45pm. 
  
• Family Day (Sunday, December 3): Lemon Hill Mansion is the must-visit for Family Day (10am-4pm), with live ice carving, activities from Smith Memorial Playground and Mural Arts… and a visit from Santa himself! 
• Neighbor’s Day (Saturday, December 9): Neighbor’s Day is particularly special as a showcase of community talents. One of the highlights: at 11:30am and 1:30pm, Strawberry Mansion resident Veronica Underwood will be performing with her son Amadeus at Historic Strawberry Mansion. 
• Flavors of the Season (Sunday, December 10): Get in the holiday “spirit” with cocktail demos at Historic Strawberry Mansion (Manatawny Still Works) and Woodford Mansion (GARCES Restaurant), plus cider samples from Original XIII Ciderworks at Cedar Grove. Sweets and treats round out the selection of flavors at the other historic homes, 10am-4pm!

Drop In Days

Even if you’re a regular visitor to Fairmount Park’s historic homes, you’ll want to see them bedecked in their holiday finery – and if you’ve never visited them before, now’s the perfect time. (After all, Architectural Digest named the houses among “America’s Top Holiday Home Tours”!) Built in the 1700s, these mansions were originally countryside summer homes for the city’s elite, and they reflect Philly’s history pre-, during, and post-American Revolution. 

Get a taste of that history with a visit to one – or all! – of the historic houses. They’ll be open for Drop In Days throughout the month, including daily from December 26 to 31, 10am-4pm. From oldest to youngest:

•  A Very Philly Christmas extends to West Fairmount Park at Cedar Grove (built 1748-50). This summer home was originally located in Frankford, but was moved to Fairmount Park stone by stone in the 1920s. 
• Woodford Mansion (built 1756) houses the Naomi Wood Collection of 1,000+ colonial era antiques, giving visitors a true peek into the past. 
• Once home to a Philly mayor, Laurel Hill Mansion (built around 1767) boasts a stunning backyard view, overlooking the Schuylkill River. 
• Lemon Hill (built around 1770) was the first private property purchased by the City of Philadelphia to protect its water supply, making it the first piece of park land in what would become Fairmount Park. 
• Right around the corner from Woodford, Historic Strawberry Mansion (built around 1789) is the largest of the park’s historic homes, built by an adviser to George Washington and Alexander Hamilton. 

Experience the holidays, Philly-style: join us for A Very Philly Christmas in Fairmount Park! Single-house tickets and five-house passes are available now.

To celebrate all that the City’s parks have to offer for trail lovers, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) is highlighting the top running trails within our parks. Take a break from the pavement and add some of our scenic, local trails to your list of running routes, or hit the trail to enjoy a hike, walk, or bike ride!

Miles of scenic trails wandering across the park and along Wissahickon Creek, with some significant twists and hills on offshoot trails

Length: 7 miles (Forbidden Drive) and several offshoot trails that are 2-5 miles in length

The most widely-used trail in Wissahickon Valley Park is Forbidden Drive, a 7-mile, fairly flat gravel trail that follows the Wissahickon Creek through the park’s entire length. The park also features several hilly, rocky single-track side trails that connect to Forbidden Drive. In total, Wissahickon Park has over 50 miles of trails to explore, so make sure to get out there this fall!

Accessing the Trail: You can access Wissahickon Valley Park Trail (Forbidden Drive) in numerous places, including from the Valley Green Inn, at its southern terminus (where Forbidden Drive intersects Ridge Avenue and the Wissahickon Creek empties into the Schyulkill River), or at its northern end (where the trail meets Northwestern Avenue after crossing Bell’s Mill Road). Wissahickon Valley Park is accessible by public transit via many SEPTA bus routes (Wissahickon Transportation Center station) as well as two train lines (Wissahickon Station on the Manayunk/Norristown Regional Rail Line and several stops on the Chestnut Hill West line).

Google Map of Wissahickon Valley Park

Scenic, wooded loop path above Kelly Drive that winds past Fairmount Park historic mansions

Length: 3.8 miles

Named for the boxing champions—including Joe Frazier—that once trained there, the Boxers’ Trail, is a nearly 4-mile crushed stone and paved asphalt trail. The trail starts at Sedgley Woods Disc Golf Course and winds along a wooded hilltop overlooking the Schuylkill River and past several of East Fairmount Park’s historic mansions.

Accessing the Trail: The paved portion of the trail begins on Reservoir Drive and North 33rd Street in Strawberry Mansion, right near the driving range and Sedgley Woods Disc Golf Course. Follow signage past the Smith Memorial Playground and turn left down the paved path. Turn left again on Fountain Green Drive and head down the hill. The unpaved, crushed stone portion starts on the right, and heads up a steep hill. Follow the crushed stone portion about 1.5 miles until it meets Randolph Drive and becomes a paved path again. Follow the paved path around the Edgely Ballfields and follow signs all the way to Strawberry Mansion, for a total of 3.8 miles. The Boxers’ Trail is accessible by public transit via the 48 and 61 SEPTA bus routes.

Google Map of the Boxers’ Trail

12-foot-wide paved trail winding along Pennypack Creek in Northeast Philadelphia

Length: 9 miles

The 9-mile Pennypack Trail is a paved path that runs along the creek for the entire length of Pennypack Creek Park. This shaded trail offers a quiet, peaceful escape from running on city streets. The trail has both hilly and flat sections, and there are also many side trails winding through the woods that runners can traverse to form loop routes.

Accessing the Trail: Park at the parking lot off of Pine Road, across from Fox Chase Farm for easy access to the trail at its northern end. There are also parking lots at Pennypack on the Delaware off State Road and two parking lots off Rhawn Street at the entrance to the Pennypack. Pennypack Creek Park is accessible by public transit via Trenton Regional Rail to Holmeburg Junction, SEPTA Regional Rail to Fox Chase Station, and several SEPTA bus and trackless trolley lines, including Routes 70 and 84 to State Road, Route 88 to Welsh Road, and Route 28 to Rhawn Street, and Route 66 to Frankford Avenue.

Google Map of Pennypack Trail

Popular paved path that winds along the eastern bank of the Schuylkill River stretching from Center City Philadelphia to Phoenixville

Length: 26.5 miles

This nearly 27-mile paved path is a favorite trail for runners, bikers, and walkers. It runs along the Schuylkill from downtown Philadelphia, through Valley Forge National Historical Park in Montgomery County, ending in Phoenixville, Chester County. From Center City, it follows the winding path of the Schuylkill past the Philadelphia Museum of Art, historic Boathouse Row, and along Kelly Drive on the edge of East Fairmount Park. This beloved path was named the number one urban trail in the country in the 2015 USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

Accessing the Trail: The trail has numerous access points, including the northern trailhead at Betzwood Picnic Area in Valley Forge National Historic Park and the South, Chestnut, Walnut, and Market Street Bridges at its southern end in Center City Philadelphia. Access the trail’s southern terminus by public transportation via the SEPTA Market-Frankford Line, or take the SEPTA Manayunk/Norristown Line Regional Rail to one of its stops along the trail and run back to Center City. Other trail access points include Lloyd Hall, a parking area off of Kelly Drive just north of Falls Bridge in East Falls, and at Venice Island in Manayunk, where you can access Manayunk Canal Towpath—part of the Schuylkill River Trail.

Schuylkill River Trail map

Winding, paved trail that meanders along Tacony Creek in Northeast Philadelphia

Length: 3.2 miles

This wooded trail is situated entirely within Tacony Creek Park in Northeast Philadelphia’s Juniata Park, Feltonville, and Olney neighborhoods. Take a break from the hustle of the city streets and explore this scenic route.

Accessing the Trail: Tacony Creek Park is accessible by public transit via several stops on the Fox Chase Regional Rail line and the K, 18, and 57 bus routes. There are no official parking areas for the trail, but parking may be available on adjacent local streets.

Tacony Creek Trail map and Google Map of Tacony Creek Park

Short South Philly loop route with scenic lake views

Length: 1.7 miles

Explore what South Philadelphia’s Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Park has to offer while running a 1.7-mile loop trail with views of the park’s beautiful lakes and adjacent golf course. This short but scenic route will be sure to offer you a peaceful reprieve!

Accessing the Trail: Access FDR Park via public transit by getting off at the SEPTA Broad Street Line’s AT&T Station. If driving, enter FDR Park at its Pattison Avenue entrance and park in the parking area. Walk to the right of the pavilion to enter the trail and run counterclockwise around the lake.

Google Map of FDR Park

Paved trail running along Cobbs Creek Parkway in West Philadelphia

Length: 4 miles

The Cobbs Creek Trail is a scenic, tree-lined pathway within West Philadelphia’s Cobbs Creek Park that runs from 63rd and Market to 70th and Chester. In addition to the paved trail, runners can also explore several smaller trails that wind down to Cobbs Creek.

Accessing the Trail: Access the trail via public transit by getting off at the SEPTA Market-Frankford Line’s 63^rd Street Station, which is located near the trail’s northern terminus. On-street parking is also available on several of the local streets near the trail.

Google Map of Cobbs Creek Trail

Unpaved, hilly trails and skyline views in a quiet oasis within the city

Length: 3+ miles

Belmont Plateau is home to some of the Philadelphia region’s most famous cross country races. A main trail cuts through this section of West Fairmount Park, with sizable hills and various single-track offshoot paths crossing the main trail. Explore the many winding, hilly trails that the plateau has to offer in this serene section of Fairmount Park. Pack a post-run picnic to enjoy while taking in the plateau’s amazing view of the city skyline!

Accessing the Trail: Access the trail from West Fairmount Park’s Car Barn parking lot. From the lot, follow the road down into the woods where you’ll find a wide, gravel fire road. This path covers much of the trail area and splits off into many single-track branches. Access the trail by public transit via the 38 SEPTA bus line.

Google Map of Car Barn parking lot where trail begins

See you out on the trails!

In 2016, Philadelphia became the first major city to partner with Google to catalog many of the city’s trails and cultural attractions. From May through October, two Parks and Recreation employees walked more than 400 miles on Philadelphia’s trails – all while carrying around the 50-pound Google Trekker backpack to document our city’s urban oases. Everything from A to Z: Aviator Park to the Zoo, is now included in the street view images. To celebrate the launch of this great feature, here are a few of our favorite spots in Google Street View! Take a virtual walk through a graveyard, a historic garden, and some of our scenic trails and parks! 

Boxers’ Trail, East Fairmount Park

Nestled above the bustling Schuylkill River Trail and Kelly Drive in East Fairmount Park sits a quiet, wooded trail with a rich history called the Boxers’ Trail. The trail was named for the boxing champions that trained there, including Joe Frazier. Young boxers from local recreation centers and boxing gyms still use the trail as a training ground today.

The 3.8 mile trail, which is a mix of crushed stone and paved asphalt, starts at Sedgley Woods Disc Golf Course and winds along a wooded hilltop overlooking the Schuylkill and past several of East Fairmount Park’s historic mansions — including Mount Pleasant, Ormiston, Laurel Hill, and Woodford — before ending at Strawberry Mansion.

The trail underwent a complete restoration in the early 2000s, the first project done in partnership between the former Fairmount Park Commission and the Fairmount Park Conservancy. Before that, the Boxers’ Trail was a narrow, unpaved, underutilized path. The completed trail now connects the historic Smith Memorial Playground to Fairmount Park’s historic mansions and the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, providing better access to the trail and encouraging a new set of park-goers to get out on the trail and enjoy it.

One great way to get to know and enjoy the Boxers’ Trail is to take part in the Boxers’ Trail 5K Walk/Run, which will occur on September 9 this year. Participants run or walk the scenic cliff paths of the Boxers’ Trail, following the footsteps of Joe Frazier.

Proceeds from the Boxers’ Trail 5K benefit Mander Playground in North Philadelphia, which organizes youth programs. Registration is at 8:30am, and the race begins at 9:30am. The registration fee is $25 for runners, $20 for walkers, and $10 for youth. 

Click here for more information about the race and here to register.

(Boxers’ Trail 5K Coursemap)

To enjoy the Boxers’ Trail on your own, follow the route below!

The paved portion of the trail begins on Reservoir Drive and North 33rd Street in Strawberry Mansion, right near the driving range and Sedgley Woods Disc Golf course. Follow signage past the Smith Memorial Playground and turn left down the paved path. Turn left again on Fountain Green Drive and head down the hill. The unpaved, crushed stone portion starts on the right, and heads up a steep hill. Follow the crushed stone portion about 1.5 miles until it meets Randolph Drive and becomes a paved path again. Follow the paved path around the Edgely Ballfields and follow signs all the way to Strawberry Mansion, for a total of 3.8 miles.

By Frances Piller
Operations District Manager, Street Tree Management Division

It is estimated that there are 118,000 street trees in Philadelphia. In 2018, Parks & Rec began a process to document each of these trees. The department’s Street Tree Management Division has been leading the inventory. Four seasonal interns have assisted with the project: Rebecca Kane, Ben Rohr, Kirk Wattles, and Ethan Leatherbarrow. On January 10, 2020, the group surpassed an inventory milestone. They recorded more than 100,000 street trees. 100,117 to be exact.

Street Tree Management Division’s tree inventory interns

The interns are recording the street tree species and diameter (size). They are working on foot, walking from tree to tree, measuring and identifying each one. This is no small feat! The data they collect will be input into the new Cityworks tree asset management system.

We are proud of the interns and this milestone. Kudos and congratulations to each intern for their hard work! Rebecca and Kirk completed their nine-month seasonal time with us in January. Ben and Ethan will continue to inventory street trees until the end of March. We look forward to seeing how many more trees they can visit in the remaining weeks.  

One final shout out to the Street Tree Management Division’s Ben Stanko, Park Grounds Maintenance Supervisor - Arboriculture. Ben’s coordination and management of the interns and the inventory project have helped make it a success. Thank you, Ben!