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Mapped: 11 Unsung and Underrated Parks of Philadelphia

By James Jennings
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By James Jennings
2 comments / new

Welcome to Curbed Philly's first-ever Outdoors Week — the magical five-day period where we examine, celebrate and probably even poke a little fun at Philly's awesome outdoorsy things to do and listings on the market. You just sit back and enjoy the air conditioning while we feature some of Philly's best outdoor spaces, cool down jawns as well as your favorite outdoor parks and places during this fun-filled adventure. It all culminates in the unveiling of Philly Best Dog Park! Voting kicks off on Friday and all will be revealed Monday morning! You'se guys strapped in? Here we go!


Philadelphia is home to over 10,000 acres of city parkland — that's an insane amount of awesome public space! While we all love the views from the Belmont Plateau, people watching in Rittenhouse Square and relaxing on the banks Schuylkill River, some of Philadelphia's best park spots tend to be the ones that don't often get much publicity. Today, we explore a wide array of Philly area parks. Some are huge public parks, while others a merely a sliver of land made special by caretakers and residents. We can guarantee one thing — all of them are awesome! Have a park that holds a special place in your heart? Hit us up in the comments or through the tip line and we'd be more than happy to add it!


· Curbed Outdoors Week 2014 [Curbed Philly]

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Tacony Creek Park

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Wander the Tacony Creek Trail as it winds through Northeast Philadelphia and offers a that perfect escape from the city. (Image: Plan Philly)

Whitaker Avenue & East Loudon Street, Philadelphia, PA 19120

Hunting Park

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Hunting Park in North Philly is over 80 acres and begs you to get outside! It offers a tremendous rec center, swimming programs, a new baseball field and tennis courts. A Farmers' Market is also held on Sundays and a community garden was established in 2011.

900 West Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19140

Liberty Lands Park

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Nestled in the densely-packed Northern Liberties, this park has it all - a community garden, awesome events, places to chill, spaces to play and wonderful landscaping. (Image: nlna.org)

926 North American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Roberto Clemente Park

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Whether you're looking for an organized rec league, a community garden or an awesome sprayground, there is always something going on at Roberto Clemente Park! (Image: Visit Philly)

1800 Wallace Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130

John F. Collins Park

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This is the place to go for a quiet lunch/coffee getaway, especially if you work in Center City. It features lovely fountains and beautiful works of public art, highlighted by Christopher T. Ray's amazing Wissahickon Gate that fronts Chestnut Street. (Image: ccdparks.org)

1707 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Malcom X Park

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Deep in West Philly, Malcolm X Park offers plenty of space to relax and play. Take in some free jazz sessions or historical readings during their free summer events! (Image: zoraplays.com)

5100 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143

UPenn's Bio Pond

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Take a trip to the UPenn to check out one of Philly's most unique parks. Located on Hamilton Walk, the Bio Pond is essentially a free urban aquarium/ lush botanical garden. Stop by to read and relax or look for the koi, turtles and various birds that call the Bio Pond home. (Image: uwishunu)

in Kaskey Park, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Washington Avenue Green (WAG)

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The entrance is a sliver of bike trail near the US Coast Guard Station. WAG offers a beautifully landscaped environment that pays homage to the wildness of the Delaware River. It's secluded trail is perfect for walking, running or biking and connects to Pier 70. You'll forget you're in the city! (Image: DRWC)

South Christopher Columbus Boulevard & Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Paolone Park

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Here's a cool one. Paolone Park, dedicated in 1989 in the memory of Democratic committeeman Louis P. Paolone Sr., is a triangular sliver of a park in South Philly lined with lush trees and maintained by residents of the block. Be sure to check it out next time you're wandering in South Philly! (Image: Lindsey Scannapieco)

700 Medina Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Navy Yard Parade Grounds

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Where else could you take a picnic lunch and gaze upon retired Naval ships? Perhaps you'd like to take in some cool events like old-timey baseball, food truck Thursdays and beer festivals? It's the perfect park for a long lunch break. So, grab some lunch at URBN and hang out! (Image: amanlypastime.blogspot.com)

4700 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19112

Heinz Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum

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You've seen the signs as you fly by on I-95 past the airport, but have you ever ventured out of your way to find it? You should, especially if you dig walks through nature, birding, hiking, canoeing and stunning views of urban marshlands. Try and snap a pic of the Great Blue Herron while your there! (Image: Wikipedia)

8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19153

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Tacony Creek Park

Whitaker Avenue & East Loudon Street, Philadelphia, PA 19120

Wander the Tacony Creek Trail as it winds through Northeast Philadelphia and offers a that perfect escape from the city. (Image: Plan Philly)

Whitaker Avenue & East Loudon Street, Philadelphia, PA 19120

Hunting Park

900 West Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19140

Hunting Park in North Philly is over 80 acres and begs you to get outside! It offers a tremendous rec center, swimming programs, a new baseball field and tennis courts. A Farmers' Market is also held on Sundays and a community garden was established in 2011.

900 West Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19140

Liberty Lands Park

926 North American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Nestled in the densely-packed Northern Liberties, this park has it all - a community garden, awesome events, places to chill, spaces to play and wonderful landscaping. (Image: nlna.org)

926 North American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Roberto Clemente Park

1800 Wallace Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Whether you're looking for an organized rec league, a community garden or an awesome sprayground, there is always something going on at Roberto Clemente Park! (Image: Visit Philly)

1800 Wallace Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130

John F. Collins Park

1707 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

This is the place to go for a quiet lunch/coffee getaway, especially if you work in Center City. It features lovely fountains and beautiful works of public art, highlighted by Christopher T. Ray's amazing Wissahickon Gate that fronts Chestnut Street. (Image: ccdparks.org)

1707 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Malcom X Park

5100 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143

Deep in West Philly, Malcolm X Park offers plenty of space to relax and play. Take in some free jazz sessions or historical readings during their free summer events! (Image: zoraplays.com)

5100 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143

UPenn's Bio Pond

in Kaskey Park, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Take a trip to the UPenn to check out one of Philly's most unique parks. Located on Hamilton Walk, the Bio Pond is essentially a free urban aquarium/ lush botanical garden. Stop by to read and relax or look for the koi, turtles and various birds that call the Bio Pond home. (Image: uwishunu)

in Kaskey Park, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Washington Avenue Green (WAG)

South Christopher Columbus Boulevard & Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147

The entrance is a sliver of bike trail near the US Coast Guard Station. WAG offers a beautifully landscaped environment that pays homage to the wildness of the Delaware River. It's secluded trail is perfect for walking, running or biking and connects to Pier 70. You'll forget you're in the city! (Image: DRWC)

South Christopher Columbus Boulevard & Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Paolone Park

700 Medina Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Here's a cool one. Paolone Park, dedicated in 1989 in the memory of Democratic committeeman Louis P. Paolone Sr., is a triangular sliver of a park in South Philly lined with lush trees and maintained by residents of the block. Be sure to check it out next time you're wandering in South Philly! (Image: Lindsey Scannapieco)

700 Medina Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Navy Yard Parade Grounds

4700 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19112

Where else could you take a picnic lunch and gaze upon retired Naval ships? Perhaps you'd like to take in some cool events like old-timey baseball, food truck Thursdays and beer festivals? It's the perfect park for a long lunch break. So, grab some lunch at URBN and hang out! (Image: amanlypastime.blogspot.com)

4700 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19112

Heinz Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum

8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19153

You've seen the signs as you fly by on I-95 past the airport, but have you ever ventured out of your way to find it? You should, especially if you dig walks through nature, birding, hiking, canoeing and stunning views of urban marshlands. Try and snap a pic of the Great Blue Herron while your there! (Image: Wikipedia)

8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19153