Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park, the largest urban park in the world, is one of the gems of Philadelphia. The Park follows the Schuylkill River from Center City north and branches off east and west as the park expands beyond the city confines. In total, the park encompasses over 9,000 acres. The park has such attractions as the Centennial Memorial, build to mark the 100th anniversay of American Independence, the Mann Center, an open air performing arts venue, countless large colonial houses, and numerous statues and other works of art.
The park became a public park in 1855 when Henry Pratt bequeathed his estate and lands around it to the city. The river, however, had always attracted leisurely pursuits. Many wealthy Philadelphians, such as Pratt, built country estates near the river. Many of these hosues have become part of the park system and are open to visitors. In the colonial times, public celebrations were held on the banks of the river. In 1774, a few years before Independence, hundreds of Philadelphians flocked to the banks of the Schuylkill to celebrate the King George III birthday.
Today, the park attracts numerous outdoor enthusiasts. Picnickers, fisherman, rowers, bikers, runners, and walkers all mingle on the sidewalks and open pastures in the perk system.
Below are photographs I took as I rode my bike around "the loop" an eight mile track that begins on the eastern banks of the Schuylkill at Locust Street near Rittenhouse Square past the Art Museum over the East Falls Bridge and then down the western bank to the Art Museum. It is a fantastic ride and there are a number of routes off of it in which one can explore all the other parts of the park.
View of Boathouse Row from the Waterworks
Boathouse Row has ten houses for local Crew teams from local colleges and amateur clubs. These teams compete on the river and compose part of the Schuylkill Navy.
The park became a public park in 1855 when Henry Pratt bequeathed his estate and lands around it to the city. The river, however, had always attracted leisurely pursuits. Many wealthy Philadelphians, such as Pratt, built country estates near the river. Many of these hosues have become part of the park system and are open to visitors. In the colonial times, public celebrations were held on the banks of the river. In 1774, a few years before Independence, hundreds of Philadelphians flocked to the banks of the Schuylkill to celebrate the King George III birthday.
Today, the park attracts numerous outdoor enthusiasts. Picnickers, fisherman, rowers, bikers, runners, and walkers all mingle on the sidewalks and open pastures in the perk system.
Below are photographs I took as I rode my bike around "the loop" an eight mile track that begins on the eastern banks of the Schuylkill at Locust Street near Rittenhouse Square past the Art Museum over the East Falls Bridge and then down the western bank to the Art Museum. It is a fantastic ride and there are a number of routes off of it in which one can explore all the other parts of the park.
View of Boathouse Row from the Waterworks
Boathouse Row has ten houses for local Crew teams from local colleges and amateur clubs. These teams compete on the river and compose part of the Schuylkill Navy.