De 25 beste parken in Philadelphia

City Hall’s popular western-facing voortuin is een moderne en uitnodigende buitenruimte, die het oorspronkelijke Center Square van William Penn in ere herstelt als ontmoetingsplaats voor alle inwoners van Philadelphia.

The multi-use space has tree groves, benches, cafes and a large programmable fountain that transforms into an ijsbaan in de winter en een rolschaatsbaan in de zomer.

A family haven in Old City, Franklin Square has attracted parkgoers of all ages for over two decades, with acres of green space, a carousel, playgrounds, a food stand and a Philly-themed mini-golf course.

Another major plus for the square: a seasonal daytime and nighttime water and light show starring its centerpiece, Franklin Square Fountain — one of the country’s oldest public fountains.

Dit oorspronkelijke openbare plein is nu vier parken in één, gecentreerd rond Swann Memorial Fontein in what’s now called Logan Circle. Designed by Philadelphia-born sculptor Alexander Calder (of Calder-tuinen fame) and accented by greenery, the majestic centerpiece fountain represents the region’s major waterways: the Delaware, Schuylkill and Wissahickon.

Beyond the circle, three parks encompass the larger square. The kid-friendly Zusterstedenpark includes a Children’s Discovery Garden, boat pond, cafe and another fountain. Shakespeare Park, across from Parkway Central Library, is home to the Shakespeare Memorial (another Calder creation), while Aviator Park along 20th Street is home to the Aero Memorial Eerste Wereldoorlog en de Monument voor alle oorlogen voor gekleurde soldaten beelden.

William Penn and his wife Hannah Callowhill Penn 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.

The namesake for one of Philly’s most popular neighborhoods, the park’s craft fairs, farmers markets and other events shine a spotlight on the picturesque location all year.

Originally named Southeast Square until 1825, Washingtonplein was originally a grazing pasture and a burial ground for African Americans, Revolutionary War soldiers and victims of the 1793 yellow fever epidemic. It was also a gathering spot for colonial-era African Americans, who dubbed the park Congo Square.

Today, modern residences surround the green and lively park, now home to the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier.

Over 2,000 acres of quiet natural landscapes are within easy reach of Philly residents and visitors.

In addition to rolling hills and waterfront views, Fairmount Park offers miles of designated trails, dozens of sculptures, two performing arts centers and several historic mansions. Some of Philly’s favorite attractions — including the Philadelphia Zoo, Shofuso Japans Cultureel Centrum, Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, and museums like the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the kid-centric Please Touch Museum — are also full-time residents of the park.

Pro-tip: Head to Belmont Plateau for awesome skyline views or to the Azalea Garden outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art for prime picnicking space.

FDR Park’s fields, trails, lagoon, creek and lakes 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 are the FDR Skate Park, a public spot designed and built by local volunteer skateboarding enthusiasts; two lakes open for guided kayak tours; and the Zuidoost-Aziatische markt, a cultural hub for Southeast Asian vendors — from Laos to Thailand to Vietnam — selling traditional dishes, plus jewelry, clothing and more (early spring through early fall).

Voor en tijdens de koloniale tijd werden stadstuinen en moestuinen aangelegd naast huizen, terwijl volwaardige boerderijen floreerden aan de rand van de oorspronkelijke stad. Tegenwoordig, De historische wijk van Philadelphia has pocket and large parks — most notably the great green expanse that is Independence Mall.

Nationaal historisch park Independence invites visitors to its five gardens, each landscaped in the style of the day, including the 18e-eeuwse tuin (339 Walnut Street); the Rozentuin (422 Walnut Street); the Magnolia-tuin (Locust Street between Fourth and Fifth streets); Franklin Court (322 Market Street); and the Tuin Rush, home to the Bicentennial Bell (Third and Walnut streets).

Met bijna 1.000 hectare en vele soorten inheemse wilde dieren en planten, is de John Heinz Nationaal Natuurreservaat in Tinicum beschermt het grootste zoetwatergetijdenmoeras in Pennsylvania.

The marsh, a key stop in the Atlantic flyway, is well-known among birdwatchers — 80-plus species nest here, and 300 have been recorded. As for recreation, the network of low-lying trails (10 miles in all) attracts joggers and cyclists. Plus, there’s a boat ramp for canoe and kayak access.

Met 20 hectare aan parken, De marinewerf complex is both visually stunning and fun to explore.

The Central Green is a hub for recreation, featuring a social track, fitness station and sun lawn, while Crescent Park is designed for quiet strolls and picnics. Don’t miss the Riverfront Greenway, a mile-long path along Admiral Peary Way with great views of the Delaware River.

Genoemd naar het Lenni Lenape woord voor langzaam stromend water, Pennypack Park volgt Pennypack Creek in zuidoostelijke richting vanaf Montgomery County to the Delaware River in Philadelphia.

The landscape of this rambling city park — clocking in at a massive 1,600 acres — covers rolling hills, open meadows, and many miles of paved and unpaved trails that are great for hiking, biking, running and horseback riding. Visitors can also find numerous historic buildings, including Pennypack Bridge — one of the nation’s oldest stone bridges.

Met meer dan 50 mijl aan ruige paden, Wissahickon Valley Park’s thousands of acres are great for hiking, cycling and exploring.

Wissahickon schist bedrock, sliced through centuries ago, has created steep hills punctuated by a creek, with paths for both climbers and horseback riders. Also on site: De laatste overdekte brug van Philadelphia. Bijzonder toegankelijk is Verboden rit, Een grindpad van vijf mijl met prachtige uitzichten.

Everyone needs a little R&R — riverside recreation — from time to time. In the shadow of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the two-level Race Street Pier offers multi-tiered seating and waterfront views for miles.

A perfect picnic spot, the pier is equipped with a spacious lawn and more than three-dozen trees overlooking the Delaware River. At high tide, the river comes just 4.5 feet from the lower level of the pier, bringing you right up to the water’s edge.

Volgens de legende tekende Pennsylvania-oprichter William Penn zijn vredesverdrag met de plaatselijke Lenape-stam in 1683 onder een iepboom vlak bij de Delaware-rivier. Hoewel de boom omviel in een storm in 1810, werd de stad officieel geopend Penn Treaty Park on the surrounding land in 1894.

Today, a statue of William Penn greets local picnickers and dog walkers, and throughout the year, people from all over the city come for special events and festivals.

Riverside trails, a playground and a boat launch keep this 35-acre area of Philadelphia’s northern Delaware River bustling, while an expansive lawn on the waterfront makes a serene picnic spot.

But the must-see part of Pleasant Hill Park is de Viskwekerij, a 20th-century water feature where local fish species were once cultivated. The hatchery’s two ponds now serve as a space where young visitors can learn to fish.

Deze spring-to-fall destination attracts crowds with bocce and lawn games; tree-slung hammocks and colorful lights, and floating barges with over-the-water seating.

The waterfront destination for rest and relaxation also serves up tasty al fresco eats. You can find a variety of food options along the boardwalk and hit up its beer gardens and bars for craft brews, draft cocktails and frozen beverages.

Naast Washington Avenue Pier is a mile-long hidden gem offering panoramic views of the waterfront and city skyline. Herons, turtles, beavers and other fauna make their homes among the park’s plant life and you can walk the rocky shores all the way to the river’s edge.

The most striking part? At the end of the elevated boardwalk and the gravel trails stands Landboei, a public art piece by Jody Pinto made up of a climbable spiral staircase circling a lit 55-foot spire. The sculpture memorializes the site’s history as the nation’s first navy yard and as the immigration station that welcomed over one million people to the United States.

Before Longwood Gardens and even the Philadelphia Bloemenshow, there was this  Zuidwest-Philadelphia natural oasis.

Located on 50 acres along the Schuylkill River, Bartram's Tuin is a free public park, National Historic Landmark and America’s first botanic garden, not to mention a local favorite for boating, fishing and picnicking.

Named for Quaker farmer and botanist John Bartram (1699–1777), Bartram’s features an 18th-century estate, along with fragrant gardens, a reclaimed meadow, riverfront recreation trail, urban farm, natural tidal wetlands, a public dock for fishing and boating, and significant historic trees — including the oudste ginkgoboom in Noord-Amerika.

Sandwiched between the University of Pennsylvania campus and the Schuylkill River waterfront, Penn Park attracts Philadelphians of all ages and athletic levels looking for an outdoor escape.

An awesome balance of open space and athletic facilities, the 24-acre urban recreational area includes bike trails, walkways, courts and fields for formal and informal athletics, and plenty of lawns and meadows to relax and unwind in.

De acht mijl lange rivieroever slingert door het hart van Philadelphia, Schuylkill-oevers is het hele jaar door geopend voor wandelen, joggen, fietsen, picknicken en honden uitlaten.

Een deel van de Schuylkill River Trail, Het park strekt zich uit langs de Schuylkill River en verbindt de westelijke rand van Centrum to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Fairmount Park and Kelly Drive.

Schuylkill Banks offers outdoor movie screenings in the summer, while scenic cruises and kayak tours on the river take in various historic sites. Also available: fishing, kayaking and boating.

Cira Groen, which debuted in 2015, sits 95 feet above the street and wows guests with skyline views and cool breezes.

Visitors can grab burgers, fries, desserts and more from onsite restaurant Sunset Social (open seasonally), and elevators across from the entrance to the AKA University City hotel maken het park gemakkelijk toegankelijk.

This elevated park is open year-round and hosts seasonal events.

Let your inner kid out to play at Clark Park, the beating heart of Spruce Hill. In addition to tall trees, playgrounds and basketball courts, the nine-acre park maintains a busy events schedule with festivals, flea markets, theatrical performances, concerts and a year-round farmers’ market.

If food trucks, soccer leagues and cute dogs aren’t your jam, stick around for the LARPers (live-action role players) whacking each other with foam weaponry.

Bonus: In addition to Clark Park, West Philly boasts an enviable collection of outdoor spaces. The Woodlands — the area’s largest green space — is a historic cemetery and mansion set atop 54 acres of pastoral wonder. Family-friendly hotspot Malcolm X-herdenkingspark features a vibrant playground, a picnic pavilion and plenty of seating.

The grand entrance to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, John F. Kennedy Plaza — better known as LIEVE Park — brings together world travelers, lunchtime snackers, sunbathers and fitness buffs for warm-weather fun in the heart of the city.

Lovely greenery, a splashy fountain, abundant seating and the park’s namesake centerpiece set the scene for the perfect Philly photo op, with Robert Indiana’s iconic LIEVE beeldhouwwerk serving as the backdrop for countless pics each day.

Benches shaded beneath broadleaf evergreens. The fresh scent of flowering shrubs. Ducks and turtles splashing around the fountain-aerated pond.

Locals love this Park van 16 hectare for its picturesque landscape and walking trails — perfect for pups and picnics. Plus, each summer, the amphitheater springs to life with outdoor concerts and community events.

Een kwart mijl lang stuk verhoogd spoor van de voormalige Reading Railroad is voorzien van beplanting, kunstwerken, zitjes en reusachtige houten schommels.

Het 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 spaces 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 spaces.