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Pennypack Park is one of many parks throughout the City of Philadelphia under the management of the Fairmount Park Commission. Established in 1905 by an ordinance to insure the protection of Penypack Creek and the preservation of the surrounding land. The combined parks total about 8900 acres and constitute one of the largest landscaped parks systems in the country. Pennypack, in the Far Northeast, covers approximately 1600 acres and is composed of woodlands, meadows and wetlands. Naturalists John James Audubon and Alexander Wilson spent many hours along the banks of the Pennypack Creek which runs through the park from Pine Road all the way to the Delaware River. The park provides playgrounds, hiking and bike trails as well as bridle paths for horse back riding. An adjunct to the Park is the Pennypack Environmental Center on Verree Road which is also under the management of the Fairmount Park Commission as is the Fox Chase Farm on Pine Road.
Many historic structures are still intact throughout Pennypack Park. In 1697, the Pennypack Bridge, one of the oldest stone bridges still in use in the United States, was built on King's Highway, now known as Frankford Avenue. The Pennypack Baptist Church, another of the Park's historic sites, was built in 1688. The Verree House on Verree Road was the site of a raid by British troops during the Revolutionary War. The trained eye can rediscover abandoned railroad grades, remnants of early mills, mill races and other reminders that generations of mankind have gathered in the "Green Heart" of Northeast Philadelphia.
Friends Foto
Every Month, we'll be bringing you a new picture from someplace in our park, along with an appropriate map. We hope to bring impressions of your favorite spots, along with places you may want to futher investigate on your own (Click on the Thumbnail picture or link).
 Recycling Center & Cleanup Corner
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| Recycling Schedule, and participation tips.
Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Schedule Cleanup Schedule Plastic by the Numbers. What those codes are about. Recycling Totals FreeCycle - Give away items you don’t need anymore. Recycling Videos. Information and Tips to help us "Green". Earth 911 - Nation’s “one-stop” web portal for community recycling. |
| Park Advocacy - A "Call to Action" of important pending issues | |
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| Budget Forums | . |
History and Knowledge:
| The FOPP FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions | Those wonderful summertime concerts in the park and they're FREE! Music Festival Schedule |
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Happy Birthday to our bridge!
The Holmesburg Bridge spanning the Pennypack creek at US 13, Frankford Avenue, turned 300 years old in 1997. That makes it the oldest stone arch bridge still carrying traffic in the United States. It is almost certain that even George Washington crossed this bridge during the several trips he made in the area. A birthday party was held, Saturday, October 25, 1997.Celebration Chairman, Harvey Cantor, provided this review of that days ceremonies and contributors.
Members Only page. 
On-Line Newsletter & other M.O. documents (Requires logon).
Sample Newsletter - Get an idea of what the FOPP does ( Current members, see how convenient and clean the on-line Newsletter is! )
Become an active member today and help us to reach our goals;
- TO IMPROVE: Creek conditions, existing trails, parking areas, restrooms and picnic areas.
- TO INCREASE: Trash containers, drinking fountains, benches, gates and signs.
- TO ADVOCATE: The acquisition of additional park land
- TO BECOME: A large, active, educational voice in the community for the continued benefit
of the Pennypack Park.
- TO ENJOY: Nature, monthly walks, and other group activities.
- TO PERPETUATE: This lovely refuge, wildlife, and our environment.
Membership information and application.
The Reforestation Fund is a wonderful way to Honor or Memorialize someone, or to Celebrate a special event!
A distinctive card to commemorate the occasion will be sent and your contribution will benefit reforestation. Click Here.
The Official FOPP telephone; (215) 934-PARK
Official FOPP EMail address;FriendsPennypack@comcast.net
Favorite FOPP Links:
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Sites to further your recreation and environmental interests and enjoyment!
- AWRA American Water Resources Association.
- Appalachian Mountain Club.
- Audubon at Home.
- The Bicycle Club of Philadelphia.
- EPA - The Environmental Protection Agency.
- Fairmount Park - In Philadelphia.
- The Friends of Fox Chase Farm - The only remaining working farm in Philadelphia, gives many tours and craft workshops for kids and adults.
- The Green Guide - Temple U. Environmental Directory.
- Huntingdon Valley Camera Club.
- Lyme Disease Association of Southeastern PA
- The National Park Service - Grandfather of American Parks!
- PennyPack 100th. Anniversary site.
- Official Philadelphia Home Page.
- Fairmount Park Natural Lands Restoration and Environmental Education Program.
- Friends of Priory Park. An uncanny similar park group in the UK.
- Pennypack Park Environmental Center - PPEC Event Schedule.
- Philadelphia Parks Alliance. Find out what is happening in your parks system.
- Friends of Poquessing Watershed Inc. of Philadelphia and Bucks County.
- Somerton Tanks Farm. A Local CSA.
- Raymond Proffitt Foundation - A group concerned with the enforcement of environmental protection laws.
- Rails-To-Trails - A database of the best recreational trails, converted from ex-railroad grades.
- The Sierra Club.
- USGS Real-Time Data for Pennypack Creek Streamflow.
Park Maps & Regulations:
| OverView Map | Bike Map | Bike Rules |
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| Detail Map (Excellent, but BIG 167k) | "Old" Map (1946) | Greenway brochure & map (1600k) |
Join us in saluting our Trees & Trails Committee:
The most active and visible FOPP function in the Park. They are either working on the trails or planting trees. They are the eyes and ears of the FOPP. The "Crew" clocks 100's of hours each month and they have been called on to make recommendations on what work should been done in the Pennypack with the William Penn Foundation grant. Follow This link to learn more.
| Become a Part of Pennypack History
Currently, a committee of members are writing a comprehensive history book on the first 100 years of Pennypack Park. However, the success of this book depends on the personal remembrances of the park users like you. One area, for example, is the seven swimming holes, the boating, the events of the riding clubs, riding the trolley through the park on the Bustleton Line, or life in the park before the vast development of the parks. Also, if you have any pictures we could borrow to scan, we would appreciate any contributions. You can contact Harvey Cantor through the park phone 215-934-PARK, or by e-mail at Friendspennypack@comcast.net. |
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The WEBMaster is a member of:
This entire site copyright © 1997-2009 Friends of Pennypack Park Privacy Statement.