Wissahickon_Valley_Park
Wissahickon Valley Park
Park in Philadelphia
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.
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]