| Wissahickon Valley Park | |
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| Location | Pennsylvania, United States |
| Nearest city | Philadelphia |
| Coordinates | 40°03′00″N 75°12′54″W / 40.050°N 75.215°W |
| Area | 2,042 acres (8.26 km2) |
| Established | 2010 |
| Governing body | Philadelphia Parks & Recreation |
| Designated | 1964 |
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Wissahickon Valley Park is a large urban park that is located in Northwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It protects 2,042 acres (8.26 km2)[1] of woodland surrounding the Wissahickon Creek between the Montgomery County border and the Schuylkill River. For several miles, the creek winds through a dramatic wooded gorge known as the Wissahickon Valley, a National Natural Landmark.
Forbidden Drive runs the length of the valley, a car-free gravel road popular for walking, running, cycling, and horseback riding.[2][3] Side trails lead from Forbidden Drive up to rugged bridle paths suitable for hiking and trail riding.[2] The park contains about 50 miles (80 km) of trails in total.[3]
The area was considered part of Fairmount Park from 1867 until the merger of the Fairmount Park Commission and the Department of Recreation in 2010.[4] Today, Wissahickon Valley Park is a unit of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and remains the second-largest park in Philadelphia after Fairmount.[3]
- ^ "The City of Philadelphia, Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan" (PDF). dcnr.state.pa.us. The City of Philadelphia. 2012. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 19, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
The City contains approximately 6,781 acres of watershed parks including East/West Fairmount Parks (2052 ac.), Wissahickon Valley Park (2042 ac.), Pennypack Creek Park (1343 ac.), Cobbs Creek Park (851 ac.), Tacony Creek Park (304 ac.), and Poquessing Creek Park (189 ac.)
- ^ a b "Wissahickon Valley Park". Schuylkill River National & State Heritage Area. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ^ a b c "Friends of the Wissahickon and Wissahickon Valley Park FAQ". Retrieved December 19, 2016.
- ^ Milroy, Elizabeth (2016). "Fairmount Park". Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved 13 October 2022.