« Issues
Public Parks Resource Page
Resources
- The Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan [pdf], adopted January 14, 2009
- Benefits of Parks from TPL
- The Benefits of Open Space from Rutgers University
- Principles of Smart Growth
- Springfield Trails Map (from Parks & Rec Comp Plan, 2009)
- Park Naming Procedure
Springfield Township is the smallest in the county, comprising only 3,968 acres. We have 8 public parks, listed below with their acreage. The Flourtown Country Club is not included as it is not a public park.
Did you know? Fishing at Hillcrest Park (Cisco Park) is exclusively for kids 15 years-old and younger and for adults 65 and older. Opens 9 AM on April 2. If you see someone fishing, who shouldn't be there, you can suggest they go to the Wissahickon and fish there!
| Park | Acreage |
|---|---|
| Hillcrest Park | 13.0 acres |
| Bysher Park | 10.5 acres |
| Mermaid Park | 8.0 acres |
| Laurel Beech | 6.5 acres |
| Oreland/Wyndmoor Fields | 6.0 acres |
| Wyndhill Playground | 4.5 acres |
| Oreland Ballfield | 4.3 acres |
| Connor James McKelvie Park | 0.8 acre |
| Total | 53.6 acres |
Now look at the chart below to see how we compare to five major cities.
| City | Land area (acres) | Total Park Acres | Park Acres as percent of land area |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 194,115 | 38,147 | 19.7% |
| Washington, D.C. | 39,297 | 7,617 | 19.4% |
| San Francisco | 29,884 | 5,773 | 19.3% |
| Boston | 30,992 | 5,496 | 17.7% |
| Philadelphia | 86,456 | 10,938 | 12.7% |
| Springfield | 3,968 | 53.6 | 1.4% |
It is obvious from this comparison that we are drastically in need of additional public park resources. However, our Township is mostly developed out. So, what can we do? Whenever we have the opportunity to recapture open space for public recreation space, we must try our best to reclaim it to bring our percentages up and provide places for people to gather, walk their dogs, play, and relax.
Here is a map of protected lands in our region, with Springfield, labeled, and shown in blue. It is visually obvious that even compared with our neighboring suburbs, Springfield lacks sufficient public park areas. Source: DVRPC, 2004 data
"Show me a healthy community with a healthy economy and I will show you a community that has its green infrastructure in order," said Trust for Public Land president Will Rogers. To read more about the benefits of open space, use the resources in the right column above.
« Issues