Dreaming of open green spaces? Then you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to Hunting Park. This 87-acre park in North Philadelphia has a rich history. Hunting Park started as part of James Logan’s estate in the 19th century. Later, a racetrack occupied this land until the mid-1850s. The city then acquired the land for use as a park.
Imagine Hunting Park in 1937. A music pavilion stood here. Tennis courts and a carousel entertained visitors. A large lake offered wading opportunities. This lake was huge. It stretched about a block and a half north to south. It stretched roughly the same distance east to west.
The lake wasn’t very deep. It was mostly less than knee-deep. A smaller pool at the northern tip catered to smaller children. The pavilion stood at the crook of the boomerang-shaped lake. Today the lake is gone. But the pavilion still stands.
Notice that magnificent tupelo tree to the west of where the lake was. This tree likely shaded bathers in the summer. Its brilliant red foliage signaled the end of swimming season in the autumn. Today playing fields cover the former lake area. People play soccer and baseball here. A swimming pool sits at the lake’s historic center.
Near the baseball field, you can spot an old cedrela tree. This tree may have come from Meehan’s Nursery. Meehan’s was a major tree supplier in Philadelphia. They sold cedrela trees from 1896 into the 1910s.
William Saunders designed Hunting Park in the 19th century. Saunders was a partner of Thomas Meehan. Some of the large trees here may date back to his design. A huge sugar maple stands east of the community garden. Oaks including scarlet, red, and white, dot the southern section of the park.
A willow oak predates the park itself. This tree is hard to miss. Look for the sign pointing right at it. This enormous tree dates back to the mid-19th century or earlier. Sadly, the tree came down in a storm on March 2, 2018.
Hunting Park faced challenges in the years leading up to 2010. Residents campaigned against crime. By the late 1980s, the park was almost lost to the community. Community activist groups then rose up to reclaim it.
In 2009, a multimillion-dollar Master Plan aimed to revitalize Hunting Park. Phase I of the revitalization invested $4.5 million. Improvements included better lighting and a new baseball field. Ryan Howard of the Phillies spearheaded the baseball field project. Six new tennis courts were added with support from Billie Jean King. A community garden and an orchard were established. A weekly farmers market now provides fresh food. Two new playgrounds and 385 new trees enhance the park. The new Team Vick Field is home to over 500 young athletes.
Hunting Park also promotes healthy eating and active living. New handball courts opened in 2017. Hunting Park has become a “green anchor” for the community. It serves as a model for urban renewal through park revitalization. As you leave Hunting Park, remember its transformation. From a racetrack to a revitalized community hub, Hunting Park continues to evolve.