Chestnut Hill Parks
Parks and Green Spaces in Chestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill, "Philadelphia's Garden District", is graced with parks of every size and use. Multiple beautiful green spaces can be found within walking distance from any spot in the neighborhood. At the bottom of the hill is the historic Pergola Park. At the opposite end are the varied landscapes of Morris Arboretum. And in between one can find a park for mediation, playgrounds, multiple trail heads, a reading garden, a native plant garden, and more. There is a park for every mood, whether you want to visit with neighbors, play sports, enjoy live music, or even view some art. Goldilocks would not be able to, nor would she have to, choose between our big, middle, and little parks. And neither do you. Learn more about the parks of Chestnut Hill: Wissahickon Valley ParkWissahickon Valley & Forbidden DriveMaintained by: Friends of the WissahickonChestnut Hill has multiple access points to the Wissahickon Valley Park - over 2000 acres of magical wooded parkland. Hike, bike, or ride horseback on 57 miles of trails, walk parallel to the Wissahickon Creek on Forbidden Drive, enjoy a meal at the historic Valley Green Inn, and try to find other landmarks like the Covered Bridge, Fingerspan Bridge, Devil's Pool, the Toleration statue, the Livezy House Mill, the Hermit's Cave, and many other points of interest. Learn more about this gorgeous woodland, upcoming events, trail updates, and more at the Friends of the Wissahickon. 
Valley Green Road Entrance
Northwestern Ave Entrance
St. Martin's Ln Trailhead
W. Chestnut Hill Ave Trailhead
Water Tower Recreation CenterMaintained by: City of Philadelphia Parks & Rec Department & the Water Tower Advisory Council
W. Hartwell Lane & Ardleigh Street
Chestnut Hill's historic Water Tower is one of our most recognizable landmarks. The grounds that slope down behind it are a meeting place for picnics in the summer and sledding in the winter. The playgrounds and sports fields are alive with the sound of children's voices and the tennis courts echo with the repetitive hollow pong of the game throughout the year.
Facilities Include:
Full sized tennis and pickeball court
Two full sized baseball fields
Playground
Outdoor basketball court
Indoor basketball court
Check out Water Tower Rec Programs
Water Tower is also home to the CHCA's Movie's Under the Stars - free outdoor movie screenings with food trucks every Friday in August. 
Tennis and Pickleball Courts
Basketball Courts and Playground
Inspired by Hyde Park in London
Morris Arboretum
100 E Northwestern AveVisit the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, and see why it's been named "The Most Stunning University Arboretum in America". Visitors can tour the 167 acres and experience the rose gardens, swan pond, fernery, Japanese water garden, grotto, many "trees-of-record" (the largest of their kind in Delaware Valley), the Out on a Limb Tree Canopy Adventure, and many other botanical and architectural delights. Winston Park
Winston Rd & East Willow Grove
Maintained by:Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation.
Winston Park is a triangular park at the intersections of Willow Grove Ave, Winston Rd, and Ardleigh St. Winston Park offers bench seating under abundant shade trees, including a majestic magnolia on the corner of Willow Grove and Winston.
Triangular green spaces diagonally across from the Willow Grove/Winston point and the Winston/Ardleigh point are also part of Winston Park.
Winston Park is just southeast of the Water Tower Recreation Center.
The Children‘s Park in Chestnut Hill - Jenks Playground8301 Germantown AvenueMaintained by: Friends of the Children‘s ParkJenks Playground is a favorite hub for activity and imagination in Chestnut Hill. The wooden structure and playground on Southampton Ave and Germantown Ave is also adjacent to Chestnut Hill's JS Jenks public school. When you make it a day with the family in Chestnut Hill, whether to shop at the Farmer's Market, grab a cone at Bredenbeck's, or visit the children's section at the Hilltop Bookstore - a visit to Jenks Playground is as must. Children's imaginations are inspired by the castle-like structure, and all that running, climbing, and sliding is great exercise. The Little and Pocket Parks
Pergola ParkGermantown Avenue & Cresheim Valley DriveMaintained by: Rotary ClubA stone and wooden pergola sit at the crossroads of Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill. This park is also the gateway to the Cresheim Trail. Along Cresheim Trail's paths you will find the waterfall grotto, Buttercup Cottage, and a link to Wissahickon Valley Park above Devil's Pool. Pergola Park is the first of five parks to welcome visitors at the southern gateway to Chestnut Hill. Cliff Park 7600 Germantown AvenueMaintained by: Garden District FundDirectly across Cresheim Valley Drive from Pergola Park is Cliff Park. An oasis of green backed by a dramatic cliff, Cliff Park is one of five pocket parks that mark the south entrance to Chestnut Hill. Mermaid Park - Coming Soon!
7943-45 Germantown Avenue
Mermaid Park is a brand new project to add another lovely green space to Chestnut Hill. Mermaid Park will be the third of five parks at the south entrance of Chestnut Hill.
WWI Memorial ParkE. Mermaid Ln & Germantown Ave
Maintained by: Garden District FundThis park is dominated by a large cross with the inscription
"In loving memory of the men
of Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy
Who died in the World War
France, 1918
They challenge us to hold more precious than mortal life
Ideals of Honour, Justice, and Righteousness.
They counted not their lives dear unto themselves" Buckley Park8201 Germantown AvenueMaintained by: VFWBuckley Park is one of the first memorials in the country to honor Vietnam Veterans.Buckley Park was dedicated on June 2, 1973, after more than three years of planning, negotiating, and fund-raising. It was one of the first memorials in the country to honor Vietnam Veterans. In the center of the park, a bronze plaque affixed to a 5- foot-high granite stone reads, In memory of PFC Charles J. Buckley, USMC, 1949 – 1968, and of other Americans who gave their lives in the Republic of Vietnam. Nina Benson Cooke Park58 Bethlehem Pike
Maintained by: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Built in 1940 by Jay Cooke III as a memorial to his mother
One of Chestnut Hill's secret pocket parks, Nina Benson Cooke Park evokes a feeling of peace and solitude. There are several benches, abundant shade, and varied greenery to enjoy. Fountain PlazaThe Susan Ann Detscher Pizzano
8705 Germantown Ave
Fountain Plaza is a lovely sunny spot to see the comings and goings on the Avenue. Enjoy the view of the street, the flowers, and the lovely rock fountain. Native Plant Garden at Chestnut Hill Conservancy8708 Germantown Avenue
Maintained by: Chestnut Hill Conservancy
The Native Plant Garden was established as a tribute to the flora of the Wissahickon. Walk the path and then sit on the stone bench and admire the architecture of the 1857 Gothic Revival house. Reading Garden at the Chestnut Hill Free Library8711 Germantown Ave
One of Chestnut Hill's most secret gardens, the free Library's Reading Garden is a lovely and private place to read in the shade under a gazebo. Check out a book, and follow the path on the right side of the library to find this garden. Get to know Chestnut Hill's various parks. Try each one on for size. Then you'll know the "just right" park for any mood or occasion.
To get involved in protecting and nurturing Chestnut Hill's parks and green spaces, you can Join the CHCA, attend our Chestnut Hill Green Space Initiative Committee https://www.chestnuthill.org/2021_upcoming_meetings.php, and check out our Green Initiative.
Help keep Chestnut Hill Green!
Donate to the Chestnut Hill Tree Fund.
