List of city parks and recreation facilities of Allentown, Pennsylvania

Little Lehigh Parkway, the largest park in Allentown, built during the 1930s as a Works Progress Administration project

The city of Allentown, Pennsylvania is nationally-known for its park system. Much of Allentowns's park system can be attributed to the efforts of industrialist General Harry Clay Trexler (1854-1933). Inspired by the City Beautiful movement in 1906, Trexler brought in B. A. Hamilton, a nationally known city park consultant. Haldeman provided the plans for the development of the growing city, and J. Franklin Meehan of Philadelphia was the landscape architect who laid out the parks.[1]

Allen Park, in the vicinity of Trout Hall, was the first city park in Allentown, although it did not become city property until 1908.[1] West Park, a 6.59-acre (26,700 m2) park in what was a community trash pit and sandlot baseball field became the first public park[2] established in an upscale area of the city. In 1906 General Trexler hired Meehan to lay out a park on the land, which opened in 1909. West Park features a bandshell, designed by noted Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer, which has long been home to the Allentown Band and other community bands.[2]

Soon afterwards, it became apparent that a need existed for recreational facilities for children and young people. Meetings of the Allentown City Council were held about this and several proposals were presented and discussed. In 1912, the city's first public playground was established at Fountain Park.[1] During the summer vacation months, all Allentown School District school grounds are open as neighborhood playgrounds.

Trexler also facilitated the development of Cedar Creek Park, the Allentown Municipal Golf Course and the Trout Nursery in Lehigh Parkway. After his death in 1933, Trexler's summer estate, a 142-acre tract was willed to the City of Allentown and was renamed Trexler Memorial Park. Today, the Harry C. Trexler Trust continues to provide private funding for the maintenance and development of Allentown's park system.[3]

The following is a list of city parks and recreation facilities located in Allentown:[4]

  • Allen Park
South 4th & West Union Streets
Map location: 40°36′05″N 075°27′52″W / 40.60139°N 75.46444°W / 40.60139; -75.46444 (Allen Park)
Part of Trout Hall and Lehigh Country Heritage Museum
  • Allentown Municipal Golf Course
3200 block West Tilghman Street
Map location: 40°35′49″N 075°32′05″W / 40.59694°N 75.53472°W / 40.59694; -75.53472 (Allentown Municipal Golf Course)
Public 18 hole golf course, clubhouse.
  • Arts Park
North 4th & West Court Streets
Map location: 40°36′14″N 075°28′07″W / 40.60389°N 75.46861°W / 40.60389; -75.46861 (Arts Park)
On Allentown Arts Walk across from Allentown Art Museum
510 West Linden Street
Map location: 40°35′15″N 075°28′32″W / 40.58750°N 75.47556°W / 40.58750; -75.47556 (Bicentennial Park)
Softball park, currently the home of the Philadelphia Force
  • Bucky Boyle Park
North Front and West Linden Streets
Map location: 40°36′38″N 075°27′22″W / 40.61056°N 75.45611°W / 40.61056; -75.45611 (Bucky Boyle Park)
Two baseball diamonds, large playarea
  • Canal Park
South Albert Street
Map location: 40°35′56″N 075°26′59″W / 40.59889°N 75.44972°W / 40.59889; -75.44972 (Canal Park)
Large, wooded driving park between Lehigh Canal and Lehigh River with much green space
  • Cedar Creek Park
Along Parkway Boulevard, West End of Allentown
Map location: 40°35′35″N 075°30′40″W / 40.59306°N 75.51111°W / 40.59306; -75.51111 (Cedar Creek Park)
Large park over 90 Acres, from Lake Muhlenburg west to Cedar Crest Boulevard. Developed in the late 1920s by Mayor Malcom Gross, Sr.[1] Includes tennis courts, children's play area, Cedar Beach public swimming pool, Allentown Rose Garden and large areas for picnics and recreation activities.
  • East Side Memorial Little League
South Bradford and East Maple Streets
Map location: 40°36′23″N 075°27′02″W / 40.60639°N 75.45056°W / 40.60639; -75.45056 (East Side Memorial Little League)
Baseball diamond
  • East Side Reservoir
South Halstead and East Union Streets
Map location: 40°36′34″N 075°26′27″W / 40.60944°N 75.44083°W / 40.60944; -75.44083 (East Side Reservoir)
Large area for picnics and recreation activities.
  • East Side Youth Center
1140 East Clair Street
Map location: 40°37′01″N 075°26′11″W / 40.61694°N 75.43639°W / 40.61694; -75.43639 (East Side Youth Center)
Youth Center, baseball, soccer recreation fields
  • Fellowship East Playlot
North 2d and West Hamilton Streets
Map location: 40°36′20″N 075°27′34″W / 40.60556°N 75.45944°W / 40.60556; -75.45944 (Fellowship East Playlot)
Neighborhood playground
  • Fountain Park
Lehigh Street and Martin Luther King Drive
Map location: 40°35′52″N 075°27′54″W / 40.59778°N 75.46500°W / 40.59778; -75.46500 (Fountain Park)
Large, drive-thru park with public swimming pool, picnic and recreation areas
  • Franklin Park
218 North 14th Street
Map location: 40°36′05″N 075°29′17″W / 40.60139°N 75.48806°W / 40.60139; -75.48806 (Franklin Park)
Former Franklin Elementary School. Combination children's playground and asphalt parking lot
  • Hamilton Park Playlot
South Ott Street & East Texas Boulevard
Map location: 40°35′03″N 075°30′28″W / 40.58417°N 75.50778°W / 40.58417; -75.50778 (Hamilton Park Playlo)
Large park. Two baseball diamonds, tennis courts, basketball court, children's play area, picnic and recreation area
  • Howard Keck Juniata Playlot
Keck & Juniata Streets
Map location: 40°35′07″N 075°28′25″W / 40.58528°N 75.47361°W / 40.58528; -75.47361 (Howard Keck Juniata Playlot)
Neighborhood playground, picnic and recreation area
  • Irving Park
North Irving and East Tilghman Streets
Map location: 40°37′12″N 075°26′25″W / 40.62000°N 75.44028°W / 40.62000; -75.44028 (Irving Park)
Established in 1940.[1] City Swimming pool, baseball diamonds, Basketball courts, picnic and recreation area
  • Ithaca Playlot
Ithaca & 31st Street Southwest
Map location: 40°33′18″N 075°28′36″W / 40.55500°N 75.47667°W / 40.55500; -75.47667 (Ithaca Playlot)
Neighborhood playground, picnic and recreation area
  • Jordan Meadows
West Gordon Street & American Parkway
Map location: 40°36′43″N 075°27′56″W / 40.61194°N 75.46556°W / 40.61194; -75.46556 (Jordan Meadows)
Large park including tennis and basketball courts, running track, athletic field, wooded areas and picnic areas along Jordan Creek
  • Jordan Park
Michigan Avenue & North Street Extension
Map location: 40°37′11″N 075°28′39″W / 40.61972°N 75.47750°W / 40.61972; -75.47750 (Jordan Park)
City public swimming pool. Large park with numerous baseball diamonds, tennis and basketball courts, picnic and recreation areas along Jordan Creek
  • Joseph S. Daddona Lake and Terrace
South St. Elmo and West Union Street
Map location: 40°35′32″N 075°29′46″W / 40.59222°N 75.49611°W / 40.59222; -75.49611 (Joseph S. Daddona Lake and Terrace)
Formerly Union Terrace Park. Large, 21 Acre park built by WPA over a former mosquito wetland.[1] Park features WPA built grass and stone outdoor amphitheater. Includes Union Terrace Lake, baseball diamonds and recreation fields, also areas for picnicking and recreation.
  • Keck Park
South Austin Street
Map location: 40°36′07″N 075°26′42″W / 40.60194°N 75.44500°W / 40.60194; -75.44500 (Keck Park)
Driving park loop though wooded area. also large grassy area for picnicking and recreation
  • Kimmets Landing (Lehigh Canal)
Allentown Drive and North Dauphin Street
Map location: 40°37′32″N 075°27′32″W / 40.62556°N 75.45889°W / 40.62556; -75.45889 (Kimmets Landing)
Former Lehigh Canal lock. Wooded area, parking and small grassy areas for recreation
  • Lehigh Landing
West Hamilton & North Front Streets
Map location: 40°36′24″N 075°27′23″W / 40.60667°N 75.45639°W / 40.60667; -75.45639 (Lehigh Landing)
Part of America On Wheels Museum
Entrance at Park Drive and Ward Street
Map location: 40°34′56″N 075°28′58″W / 40.58222°N 75.48278°W / 40.58222; -75.48278 (Little Lehigh Parkway)
Largest park in Allentown, 629 acres. Land acquired in 1929, developed by Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the 1930s, providing jobs during the Great Depression years. It is the most prominent park of the city and follows the Little Lehigh Stream for three miles. The park features many scenic exercising trails in addition to bridle paths, a shooting range, and many fishing locations.[1]
  • Lumber & Benton Playlot
South Lunber and Benton Streets
Map location: 40°34′32″N 075°27′54″W / 40.57556°N 75.46500°W / 40.57556; -75.46500 (Lumber & Benton Playlot)
Neighborhood Playground
  • Mack Pool
2100 Mack Boulevard
Map location: 40°34′27″N 075°28′12″W / 40.57417°N 75.47000°W / 40.57417; -75.47000 (Mack Pool)
City public swimming pool and recreation area
  • Mountainville Memorial Youth Association
West Wabash and South 5th Streets
Map location: 40°34′54″N 075°27′31″W / 40.58167°N 75.45861°W / 40.58167; -75.45861 (Mountainville Memorial Youth Association)
Three baseball diamonds, large recreation field
  • Nice 13 Tot Lot
West Jackson and West Union Street
Map location: 40°35′55″N 075°28′28″W / 40.59861°N 75.47444°W / 40.59861; -75.47444 (Nice 13 Tot Lot)
Children's playground
  • Old Fairgrounds Playground
440 North 5th Street
Map location: 40°33′55″N 075°28′16″W / 40.56528°N 75.47111°W / 40.56528; -75.47111 (Old Fairgrounds Playground)
Neighborhood playground
  • Patriots Park (1939)
St. John and South Plumb Streets
Map location: 40°35′24″N 075°28′31″W / 40.59000°N 75.47528°W / 40.59000; -75.47528 (Patriots Park)
Baseball diamond, home of the Allentown Patriots softball team (1948-1976). Lights, stands, community building erected in 1957.
  • Percy B. Ruhe Park
Oxford Drive and Pearl Avenue
Map location: 40°33′49″N 075°29′38″W / 40.56361°N 75.49389°W / 40.56361; -75.49389 (Percy B. Ruhe Park)
Formerly Alton Park Recreation Area. Large park, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, picnic and recreation areas
  • Roosevelt Park
Camp and South Woodward Streets
Map location: 40°35′34″N 075°27′22″W / 40.59278°N 75.45611°W / 40.59278; -75.45611 (Roosevelt Park)
Seven acres in size.[1] Includes baseball diamond, picnic and recreation area
  • Salisbury Dr Playlot
3025 Salisbury Street
Map location: 40°33′51″N 075°29′52″W / 40.56417°N 75.49778°W / 40.56417; -75.49778 (Salisbury Dr Playlot)
Neighborhood children's playground
  • South Mountain Reservoir and Park
South 10th Street and Reservoir Road
Map location: 40°33′57″N 075°27′49″W / 40.56583°N 75.46361°W / 40.56583; -75.46361 (South Mountain Reservoir and Park)
Reservoir area has long circular driving road and large athletic field. Park area has scenic vista point from top of South Mountain
  • South Street Playlot
South & West Mosser Streets
Map location: 40°34′58″N 075°30′48″W / 40.58278°N 75.51333°W / 40.58278; -75.51333 (South Street Playlot)
Neighborhood children' playground, picnic and recreation areas
  • Sterners Island
Island in Lehigh River, accessible only by boat
Map location: 40°36′36″N 075°25′35″W / 40.61000°N 75.42639°W / 40.61000; -75.42639 (Sterners Island)
Long, large wooded island. No amenities
  • Stevens Park
North 6th & West Tilghman Streets
Map location: 40°36′43″N 075°28′28″W / 40.61194°N 75.47444°W / 40.61194; -75.47444 (Stevens Park)
Former Stevens Elementary School. Neighborhood children' playground
  • Trexler Memorial Park
Springhouse Road
Map location: 40°35′33″N 075°31′44″W / 40.59250°N 75.52889°W / 40.59250; -75.52889 (Trexler Memorial Park)
Former summer home of General Harry Trexler. Deeded to City of Allentown after Trexler's death in 1933. Now large park with lake, long biking road, large grassy and wooded areas for picnicking and recreation. Wild game preserve, home of several hundred ducks, geese and swans.[1] Motor vehicles only allowed in parking area by park entrance.
  • Trout Creek Park
South 4th and Harrison Streets
Map location: 40°35′33″N 075°31′44″W / 40.59250°N 75.52889°W / 40.59250; -75.52889
Large park along Trout Creek. Long road though park, primarily wooded and grassy areas for picnicking and recreation, baseball field.
  • Turner & 4th Playlot
West Turner and North 4th Streets
Map location: 40°36′23″N 075°27′57″W / 40.60639°N 75.46583°W / 40.60639; -75.46583 (Trout Creek Park)
Primarily wooded and grassy areas for picnicking and recreation
  • Union Terrace
South St. Elmo Street
Map location: 40°35′20″N 075°29′53″W / 40.58889°N 75.49806°W / 40.58889; -75.49806 (Union Terrace)
Wooded area
  • Valania Park
South Law and Union Streets
Map location: 40°36′02″N 075°28′02″W / 40.60056°N 75.46722°W / 40.60056; -75.46722 (Valania Park)
Also known as John Valeniz Park. Children's playground, basketball court, wooded area
  • Waldon Terrace Playlot
South Carbon Street
Map location: 40°34′17″N 075°27′46″W / 40.57139°N 75.46278°W / 40.57139; -75.46278 (Waldon Terrace Playlot)
Neighborhood children' playground, basketball court, recreation Field, picnic area
  • West Park
1550 West Turner Street
Map location: 40°35′57″N 075°29′26″W / 40.59917°N 75.49056°W / 40.59917; -75.49056 (West Park)
Elegant park with walking paths. Includes a community bandshell, now home of the Allentown Band. The park includes ornamental trees flower gardens, and a large central fountain

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Allentown, 1762–1987, a 225 Year history, Volume II, 1921–1987, Lehigh County Historical Society, 1987.
  2. 1 2 Whelan, Frank (May 29, 2005). "West Park the iconic home for Allentown bands.". The Morning Call. pp. E.1.
  3. ↑ "Allentown, PA - Parks". Retrieved 2007-06-02.
  4. ↑ Allentown Park inventory

External links

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