Things To Do: Philadelphia Nature!
The NY Times recently had an article on Philadelphia Area Gardens.
The article focuses on Jenkins Arboretum and Gardens in Devon, Pa.; Chanticleer Garden in Wayne; Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College; Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia; and Highlands Mansion and Gardens. And links to this very helpful page about Greater Philadelphia Gardens
For the nature lovers, I'll add a couple more. And once again, most of the descriptions are from Lonely Planet, because I am incapable of briefly explaining anything.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
86th Street and Lindberg Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19113
Tel: +1 215 365 3118
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/heinz/
It's a freshwater tidal marsh right next to the airport. It's visited by 300 different species of birds and has 10 miles of trails. They also have fishing and canoeing.
Fairmount Park
http://www.fairmountpark.org/
The snaking Schuylkill River bisects this 9,200-acre greenspace − bigger than New York's Central Park and, in fact, the largest city park in the country. From the earliest days of spring every corner is thrumming with activity − ball games, runners, picnickers, you name it. The enthusiasm is catchy and you'll certainly want to join them. Runners will love the tree-lined, riverside trails, which range from 2 miles to 10 miles in length.
Morris Arboretum
100 E. Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
215-247-5777
http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/index.shtml
The Morris Arboretum is a wonderful place to visit for those who love trees, plants, beautiful landscapes and interesting sculpture. The grounds are laid out as a series of separate areas, with nice views across the grounds. Examples of areas within the grounds include the rose garden (a beautiful, sophisticated planting that is a riot of color in June) and a railroad garden (a miniature train line that runs through a planting that mimic a landscape). Throughout the garden one finds a wide array of pleasing sculptures (see attached photo of the Greenman sculputure that was carved out of a tree trunk). There is also a visitor's center and cafe on site.
One can easily spend the entire day at the arboretum, but enjoy parts of it in just an hour or two if that is all the time one had or wanted to spend. The arboretum is located on the very northern edge of Philadelphia, which is about 20 miles north of downtown Philadelphia. It is easiest to get there by car. A taxi ride from downtown runs about $50 with tip. One can get there via regional rail (either Chestnut Hill station, end of the line), then public bus to a nearby college, then about a 10 minute walk from there. A compromise is to take a taxi there and the bus/train back.
Bartram's Garden
54th St. and Lindbergh Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19143
215.729.5281
info@bartramsgarden.org
They talk about Bartram's Garden in the NY Times article, but here's the description from Lonely Planet:
Bartram's Garden was the first botanical garden and commercial nursery in the United States. The property consists of Bartram's historic home, a central garden area and a series of woodland paths, some of which border the nearby river. There are numerous unusual and old trees on the property. When in the garden property one would have no idea one was in the middle of the city. It is a quiet and scenic property. There is a small gift shop on site. On weekends the garden sometimes has special events, for example talks on the history of greenhouses in America or demonstrations of a potter making flower pots in historical style.
The garden is located near the edge of Philadelphia in a part of the city that is industrialized and also contains residential/businesses and public housing. One can get to the garden via the "trolley", a train car that starts out underground but then emerges away from downtown and acts as a streetcar from there. The garden's website contains directions (http://www.bartramsgarden.org/). It is about one block to the garden from the nearest trolley stop.
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