Girard Park
4.6(1.6K)google
3.4(5)yelp
OutdoorLake
Overview
Stephen Girard Park is a 4-acre (16,000 m2) park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the South Philadelphia neighborhood of Girard Estate, bounded between West Shunk, West Porter, 21st, and 22nd Streets. Originally it was part of two parcels of land that Stephen Girard purchased in 1797–1798, aggregating seventy-five acres in what was then Passyunk Township, Pennsylvania, which Girard developed into a farming enterprise that grew to 583 acres (236 ha). In 1831 Stephen Girard died, leaving most of his immense estate to "the Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of Philadelphia", including his country mansion, Gentilhommerie.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeGreat year-round, best during spring and autumn afternoons (3:00 PM - 5:30 PM). The weather is mild, and vast groups of wild ducks and egrets gather near the central boardwalk of Girard Park Pond. It is also the prime slot to watch local university students playing frisbee and football on the expansive greens, absorbing Lafayette's energetic lifestyle.
Getting ThereLocated directly adjacent to the UL Lafayette campus on Girard Park Drive. From downtown, drive south on University Avenue, turn left onto Johnston St, then left onto Girard Park Drive; plenty of free curbside spaces line the park. For buses, take LTS Route 10 or 12 to the University Ave @ McKinley St stop and walk 5 minutes through campus.
Travel Tips
- Bordering the UL Lafayette campus, the park's free spaces are often filled by commuting college students on weekdays; visit on weekends instead.
- The central pond is home to wild snapping turtles and water snakes with zero retaining barriers; visual parental monitoring of toddlers is required.
- Motorized scooters and high-speed mountain bikes are banned from the designated pedestrian jogging loops under municipal penal codes.
Reviews
Positive
- Adjacent to UL Lafayette, it boasts an extremely beautiful, calm central duck pond with geese and turtles; an exceptional free spot for a relaxing stroll.
- Sports amenities are top-notch, featuring free tennis and basketball courts, a disc golf course, and a smooth 1.25-mile jogging loop with an active vibe.
- Lush and shaded, massive oak trees shield the sun with high canopy coverage; scattered picnic tables and BBQ grills make it perfect for weekend family cookouts.
- Public accessibility is solid and restrooms are sufficient; because it sits near the university campus, security patrols are frequent, making it feel very safe.
Heads up
- With massive numbers of wild ducks and geese, some lakeside paths are littered with droppings, requiring you to watch your step; high winds bring an odor.
- During dawn and dusk, mosquitoes and gnats near the duck pond get dense; as a traditional free public park, there's little chemical pest control applied.
- During university game days or move-in weeks, park spaces are routinely hogged by campus commuters, leaving regular local visitors struggling to park.
- The restroom blocks, built decades ago, show their age with dated hardware; sometimes flush valves or sink faucets are stiff and need upkeep.