Since 1899, Philadelphia children have raced to the same happy place: Smith Memorial Playground in Fairmount Park, home of the Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide – a 40-foot mahogany slide generations have whooshed down on burlap sacks. The free playground spreads 6.5 acres of climbing structures, swings and tot lots for ages ten and under, anchored by the Smith Playhouse, a mansion built just for children to play in.
It’s free (donations welcome), it’s gloriously old-school and it was decades ahead of its time in believing city kids deserve beautiful play. Bring a picnic for the lawns – this is Philadelphia childhood at its purest.
