Wissahickon Valley Park
Park in Philadelphia / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Wissahickon Valley Park is a large urban park that is located in Northwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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.
Wissahickon Valley Park | |
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Location | Pennsylvania, United States |
Nearest city | Philadelphia |
Coordinates | 40.050°N 75.215°W / 40.050; -75.215 |
Area | 2,042 acres (8.26 km2) |
Established | 2010 (2010) |
Governing body | Philadelphia Parks & Recreation |
Designated | 1964 |
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]