Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse
| Smith Memorial Playhouse | |
|---|---|
 Smith Playhouse | |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 39°58′54″N 75°11′44″W / 39.98167°N 75.19556°W |
  Location of Smith Memorial Playhouse in Pennsylvania  Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse (the United States) | |
Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse is a free young children's playground near North 33rd Street and Oxford Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, within the borders of Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1] Philadelphia magazine awarded it Best Playground of Philly in 2006 and 2008, calling it "a city treasure."[2] The playground was highlighted during a May 2024 episode of the Abbott Elementary television show.[3]
Renovations
[edit]Established in 1899 by the wills of Richard and Sarah Smith and designed by architect James H. Windrim, it occupies nearly 61⁄2 acres,[4] and is visited by more than 1000 children per day.[5] From 2003 to 2005, the playground was closed while a citizen's non-profit group began a rejuvenation of its play equipment and landscape, as well as a renovation of its 24,000 sq ft (2,200 m2) Playhouse for very young children. The Playhouse underwent an extensive renovation in 2021 to offer additional unique indoor play spaces.[6]
Playhouse
[edit]The playhouse is for children 5 and under, with any baby who can play welcome, but accompanied by at least one adult 18 or older.
Playground
[edit]
In July 2005, the Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide was reopened,[7] and in August 2006 a new complex of swings called "Swing City" was opened.[8] By 2009, an area about three football fields in size had been redone, and the outside of the Playhouse preserved.[9] On July 31, 2019, a statue inspired by Ora Washington, titled "MVP", was added to the playground.[10] The Giant Slide is 40 feet (12 m) long, 12 feet (3.7 m) wide, 10 feet (3.0 m) high, and 12 children can use it at once.[4] The playground is for children 10 and under, accompanied by at least one adult 18 or older. There is a special play area for very young children.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Treacy, Michelle S. (6 July 2009). "Free play at Smith Playhouse". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2009-11-15. [dead link]
- ^ "Best of Philly 2008: Playground". Phillymag. Archived from the original on 13 January 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- ^ Dobrin, Peter. "'Abbott Elementary' takes a field trip to what might be Philly's best-kept secret". www.inquirer.com. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse". Fodor's. Random House, Inc. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- ^ Anderson, Kelli (January 2007). "Passing the Test of Time: Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse in Philadelphia". Recreation Management. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- ^ Saffron, Inga. "Newly renovated Fairmount Park playhouse offers kids serious fun as an antidote to screen time | Inga Saffron". inquirer.com. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
- ^ Salisbury, Stephan (14 July 2005). "Historic slide reopens today with new generation of rides". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- ^ "Smith Memorial Playground". The Philadelphia Inquirer. August 2006. Retrieved 13 February 2010. [dead link]
- ^ Mostovy-Eisenberg, Michelle (10 January 2008). "Playground Still Flourishes as a 'Safe Haven' for Urban Kids". Jewish Exponent. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
- ^ "One-of-a-kind statue unveiled at Smith Playground in South Philly". Whyy.org. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
External links
[edit]
- Official website
- 2006–2007 Smith Memorial Playground and Play House. Film by students from Drexel University for the Great Philadelphia Filmmakers Tripod Initiative.