Philadelphia Keeps Original Promise As a “Greene Countrie Town”

The greening of Philadelphia’s urbanscape began more than 300 years ago — and continues wholeheartedly today. William Penn and Hannah Callowhill Penn, the city’s 17th-century founders, envisioned Philadelphia as a “greene countrie town,” with planned parks integrated into residential and commercial life. Today, the power couple’s thriving outdoor squares remain essential to Center City, but they’re just the start. Gardens dot Independence National Historical Park; parks line the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers; trees, trails and creeks flourish in expansive Fairmount Park; and just beyond city limits lie some of the nation’s preeminent horticultural destinations — creating a city-in-a-park feel that makes Philadelphia stand out from other urban centers.

Penn’s Squares:

Created in the 17th century, still vibrant — and, in some cases, utterly transformed — today, these five original city squares created the framework of William Penn and Hannah Callowhill Penn’s vision for a “greene countrie town.”

• Dilworth Park (formerly Centre Square) – City Hall’s popular western-facing front yard is an urban iteration of this 17th-century idyll. The multi-use space has tree groves, benches, two cafes and a large programmable fountain that transforms into an ice rink in the winter.
• Franklin Square – The former Northeast Square is now a family haven, with 7.5 acres of green space, a carousel, playgrounds, a food stand and a Philly-themed mini-golf course. Another major plus for the square: a daytime and nighttime water and light show starring one of the country’s oldest public fountains.
• Logan Square – The former Northwest Square features the tree-rimmed Swann Memorial Fountain, a confection envisioned by Alexander Stirling Calder. On warmer days, the fountain is used as a cooling-off spot among younger parkgoers.
• Rittenhouse Square – The Penns likely never imagined how popular this green space, with its walkways, sculptures, fountains and reflecting pool, would become among strollers, readers, children, artists, picnickers and dogs. Craft fairs, farmers’ markets and other events shine a spotlight on the picturesque location all year. friendsofrittenhouse.org
• Washington Square – Named Southeast Square in 1682, Washington Square was a grazing pasture and a burial ground for African Americans, Revolutionary War soldiers and victims of the 1793 yellow fever epidemic. It was also gathering spot for colonial-era African Americans, who dubbed the park “Congo Square.” Today, modern residences surround the park, now home to the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier.

Delaware River Waterfront:

In recent years, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation has given new life to the mighty Delaware’s abandoned piers, industrial spaces and waterfront parks.

• Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest & Winterfest – In warm and cool weather, this seasonal space at the foot of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge draws crowds for outdoor roller- or ice-skating, family games (including an arcade), a lodge for lounging and local eats and drinks. In winter, there are fire pits and cabins to rent. In summer, there’s a midway-inspired carnival featuring boardwalk games and a Ferris wheel.
• Cherry Street Pier – The riverfront’s latest addition is an old indoor-outdoor pier renewed with artist and maker spaces (made out of shipping containers), community programming, a verdant garden and food and beverage offerings.
• Delaware River Trail – Cyclists, joggers, strollers and rollers employ a 1,400-foot-long portion of the riverfront trail between Spring Garden and Ellen Streets — and excitedly await the day when the trail will reach to Oregon Avenue in South Philadelphia and to Allegheny Avenue in Port Richmond, as part of the East Coast Greenway and The Circuit Trails, a 750-mile network of bicycle and pedestrian trails throughout the region.
• Race Street Pier – In the shadow of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, this two-level pier features multi-tiered seating, a lawn and pop-up events in season. What can’t be beat is the rare views of the Delaware River, Ben Franklin Bridge and Center City skyline all at once.
• Spruce Street Harbor Park – This spring-into-fall park attracts crowds with lawn games, tree-slung hammocks, colorful lights, floating barges with over-the-water seating, a boardwalk with a variety of food options and a beer garden serving beer, cocktails and frozen drinks.

Fairmount Park:

More than 9,200 acres of rolling hills, trails, woodlands, a river and creeks, all under the care of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, comprise one of the country’s largest urban parks. Here are a few attractions among the acres:

• Philadelphia Zoo – America’s first zoo is also a 42-acre Victorian garden of mature trees (including, near the entrance, a gingko tree), formal shrubbery and animal sculptures.
• Shofuso – This 17th-century-style Japanese house and garden reflects the history of Japanese culture in Philadelphia from 1876 to today. The 1.2-acre site features North America’s only Japanese villa with a hinoki bark roof, murals by contemporary artist Hiroshi Senju and three distinctive gardens.
• Wissahickon Valley Park – With more than 50 miles of rugged trails, Fairmount Park’s 1,800-acre northwestern section is popular for hiking, biking, cycling and exploring. Dramatic scenery, dense forests and free-flowing streams wind through a deep gorge surrounding the Wissahickon Creek, creating a unique outdoor experience within the city limits. Especially accessible is Forbidden Drive, a five-mile, packed gravel trail with direct access to the park’s many iconic landmarks, from the Valley Green Inn, an over 160-year-old historic restaurant in the heart of the park, to the Red Covered Bridge, Philadelphia’s only remaining covered bridge.

Independence National Historical Park:

Before and during colonial times, city and kitchen gardens were planted alongside homes, while full-fledged farms thrived on the outskirts of the original city. Today, Philadelphia’s Historic District has pocket and large parks, including the green expanse that is Independence Mall. Independence National Historical Park invites visitors to its five gardens, each landscaped in the style of the day.

• 18th-Century Garden – This geometric example of formal, Revolutionary-era English landscaping features raised flowerbeds, rows of walkways and a pergola.
• Rose Garden – To honor the signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Daughters of the Revolution donated garden beds and planted 96 varieties of Old Roses on the site of a circa-1796 horse stable.
• Magnolia Garden – Inspired by George Washington’s fondness for the trees, this garden originally had 13 different magnolias, each representing one of the 13 colonies.
• Rush Garden – Brick walls and wrought iron surround this symmetric, four-bed, 18th-century- style boxwood garden, which sits on a site that once included the Benjamin Rush House.
• Franklin Court – Benjamin Franklin designed, and, in 1975, architect Robert Venturi updated this hideaway, adding a pergola, formal raised flower and tree beds and crabapple trees.

Schuylkill River:

Dividing Center City from West Philadelphia, the Schuylkill River Trail is on its way to connecting the lower part of the river past Manayunk and beyond Valley Forge.

• Bartram’s Garden – Located on 50 acres along the Schuylkill River in Southwest Philadelphia, Bartram’s Garden is a free public park and National Historic Landmark. Named for Quaker farmer and botanist John Bartram (1699–1777), Bartram’s features a botanic garden and 18th-century estate, along with a reclaimed meadow, riverfront recreation trail, urban farm, natural tidal wetlands, a public dock for fishing and boating and significant historic trees, including the oldest ginkgo tree in the Western Hemisphere.
• Penn Park – A 24-acre urban recreational area on the banks of the Schuylkill River, Penn Park includes bike trails, walkways, places for formal and informal athletics and plenty of green space, as well as an enclosed air structure for all-weather play.
• Schuylkill River Trail – This off-road, multi-use trail along the Schuylkill River connects the Fairmount Water Works to South Philadelphia near Bartram’s Garden. The path includes a boardwalk over the river and passes by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Paine’s Park, Lloyd Hall and bike and Segway rentals near Boathouse Row.

More Popular City Parks & Gardens:

Philadelphians love their outdoor spaces. Here are a few that are especially cherished:

• Cira Green – This elevated park, which debuted in 2015, sits 95 feet above the street and wows guests with skyline views and cool breezes. Cira Green is open year-round and hosts seasonal events. Visitors can grab burgers, fries and more from Sunset Social, and elevators across from the entrance to the AKA University City hotel make the park easily accessible.
• Clark Park – Established in 1895, this nine-acre West Philly neighborhood favorite has a natural amphitheater and a year-round Saturday farmers’ market. Also onsite: large trees, playgrounds, a basketball court and a center circle for games of chess and bocce.
• FDR Park – The fields, trails, lagoon, creek and lakes here are nestled among the industry and neighborhoods of South Philly. The area is a bird-watcher’s paradise and boasts spaces for tennis, rugby and baseball. The park’s gazebo is a great place to set up a picnic lunch. Of special note is the FDR Skate Park, a public spot designed and built by local volunteer skateboarding enthusiasts. The City of Philadelphia recently announced plans to restore the park’s Welcome Center and design a destination playscape.
• John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum – With nearly 1,000 acres, 10 miles of trails and many species of native wildlife and plants, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge protects the largest fresh water tidal marsh in Pennsylvania. The marsh, a key stop in the Atlantic flyway, is well-known among birdwatchers — 80 species nest here and 300 have been recorded. As for recreation, the network of low-lying trails attracts joggers as well as walkers, and there’s a boat ramp for canoe and kayak access.
• LOVE Park – Re-opened in May 2018 after a two-year $26 million renovation, JFK Plaza — better known as LOVE Park — now features an updated fountain, benches and new greenery in the popular space. And the spiffed-up LOVE sculpture is once again the perfect backdrop for hundreds of photos each day.
• Morris Arboretum –A 19th-century summer estate is now the 92-acre official Arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Admission offers colorful gardens, natural meadows, sculptures, water features, champion trees and a walk-on treehouse that’s 50 feet high.
• Rail Park – A quarter-mile stretch of elevated tracks of the former Reading Railroad features plantings, artwork, seating areas and giant wooden swings. The Rail Park is the first phase of a plan to transform a three-mile section of abandoned elevated and below-street-level rail lines into green space where people can walk, bike, sit and admire the urban views. It’s part of an international movement to transform unused infrastructure into functional, beautiful, and accessible public space.
• Sister Cities Park – Kids of all ages adore this landscaped park tucked along the Ben Franklin Parkway. The site includes a Children’s Discovery Garden that was inspired by Philadelphia’s Wissahickon Valley, featuring newly added enhancements such as a climbing net and hiding nest; a pebble-bottomed boat pond; the Sister Cities Café; and a programmed fountain that pays tribute to Philadelphia’s 10 sister cities. In summer, kids can enjoy educational entertainment hosted by a variety of Parkway institutions, and on warm Thursday nights, music lovers can listen to free concerts on the lawn. Center City District maintains and programs the park.

Gardens Beyond The City:

• Chanticleer – From April through October, this 35-acre pleasure garden, surrounding a former summer home, inspires artists, home gardeners and seekers of relaxation. Chanticleer’s evolving, whimsical landscape features more than 5,000 plants, themed gardens, a creek, a pond and a nearly mile-long trail.
• Longwood Gardens – This all-American display garden attracts visitors from around the globe to its 1,100 acres of indoor and outdoor gardens, conservatory, 11,000 different types of plants, spectacular fountains, and picturesque meadows and woodlands. Longwood hosts flower shows, educational programs, children’s activities, fountain performances, concerts, fireworks and musical theater.
• Meadowbrook Farm – The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s public garden features
  25 naturally stunning acres that combine formal garden design and naturalistic perennial border, as well as a small specialty plant shop. Open mid-April through mid-October.
• Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden – This native species-rich garden on Philadelphia’s Main Line features beautiful trees, historic landscape architecture and a variety of events to inspire gardeners with ideas for their own outdoor wonderlands.
• Tyler Arboretum – Deeded by William Penn to Thomas Minshall in 1681, this former wilderness turned working farm turned public garden is a 650-acre site with 17 miles of hiking trails, spectacular plant collections and beautiful gardens, including 13 acres of rhododendrons and azaleas. There are also woodlands, wetlands, meadows, historic buildings and tree houses that are open in season. The National Audubon Society recognizes Tyler as an IBA (Important Bird Area).

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