Parks and Green Spaces

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:



The Big Parks
Wissahickon Valley Park
Wissahickon Valley & Forbidden Drive
Maintained by: Friends of the Wissahickon

Chestnut 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                               Bells Mill Rd Entrance                                         Northwestern Ave Entrance         


   Germantown Ave  Trailhead                            St. Martin's Ln Trailhead                                     Hartwell Lane Trailhead   

 
   Rex Ave Trailhead                                                   W. Chestnut Hill Ave Trailhead                        Crefeld St Trailhead


Water Tower Recreation Center
Maintained by: City of Philadelphia Parks & Rec Department & the Water Tower Advisory Council 
W. Hartwell Lane & Ardleigh Street

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. Water Tower Recreation Center -








Baseball Fields                                                          Tennis and Pickleball Courts                             Basketball Courts and Playground


Pastorius Park
West Hartwell Lane & Roanoke Street
Maintained by: Friends of Pastorius Park  & the City of Philadelphia Parks & Rec Department

One of Chestnut Hill's most popular and beautiful green spaces, Pastorius Park's lawn undulates over 16 acres and is home to 23 species of trees, a pond, a stone warming hut, and an amphitheater for community events. Pastorius is popular with dog walkers, picnickers, and families. 

Pastorius Park hosts the CHCA's Summer Concert Series - the longest running free outdoor concert series in Philadelphia.












  

Morris Arboretum
100 E Northwestern Ave

Visit 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. 

















                                   

The Middle Parks


Winston Park
Winston Rd & East Willow Grove

Winston Park is a triangular park at the intersections of Willow Grove Ave, Winston Rd, and Ardleigh St. The park is owned by Phildelphia's  Department of Public Property and is maintained by the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation. 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 Playground
8301 Germantown Avenue
Maintained by: Friends of the Children’s Park

Jenks 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. 













Outdoor Sculpture Garden at Woodmere Art Museum
9201 Germantown Avenue

On the grounds of a 19th-century stone mansion dedicated to the art and artists of Philadelphia, Woodmere's outdoor sculptures include works by significant artists as well as trees, a pollinator garden, a rot road, a bioswale, and step pools.

The grounds are open and free to all during Museum hours.


Woodmere Art Museum, the Chestnut Hill Business Association, and the Chestnut Hill Community Association partner each year to host the Circle of Trees Celebration on the beautiful grounds of Woodmere.







 

 

The Little and Pocket Parks


Pergola Park
Germantown Avenue & Cresheim Valley Drive
Maintained by: Rotary Club

A 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 Avenue
Maintained by: Garden District Fund

Directly 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 Park
E. Mermaid Ln & Germantown Ave
Maintained by: Garden District Fund

This 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"













Peace Park
7701 Germantown Avenue 
Maintained by: Garden District Fund

Directly across from Memorial Park is Peace Park. Peace Park is dedicated in memory of Johanna Sigmund. This pocket park is the fifth of five parks at the southern entrance to Chestnut Hill and is a wonderful place for meditation, reflection, and finding peace. 


















Buckley Park
8201 Germantown Avenue
Maintained by: VFW

Buckley 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 Park
58 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 Plaza
The 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 Conservancy
8708 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 Library
8711 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. 
















 

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.