Anna C. Verna Playground
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Anna C. Verna Playground offers a unique and world-class play experience, particularly distinguishing itself with challenging spiral cargo net climbs that lead to long tube slides. It features brand new, diverse equipment including high-speed slides, extensive wooden and 'birdcage' climbing structures, and a wide variety of swings (360, wrap-around circular, single, and multi-rider). Beyond the play structures, it provides significant value with free, all-family activities like music, crafts, and storytimes on weekends.
Key Highlights
- ✓Features unique spiral cargo net climbs leading to long tube slides, offering a different experience than most playgrounds.
- ✓Boasts awesomely high and fast slides, appealing to children seeking thrills.
- ✓Provides extensive and challenging climbing structures, including wooden climbers and a 'huge birdcage climb' area.
- ✓Offers a wide variety of swings, including a cool 360 swing set, wrap-around circular swings, and single/multi-rider options, with at least 5 different styles.
- ✓Host to free, all-family activities such as music, crafts, and storytimes on weekends, year-round.
- ✓Recently underwent all kinds of improvements, resulting in brand new equipment and an 'incredible play area'.
- ✓Staff noted for being friendly and helpful (e.g., 'a very nice young man that works there in the morning').
Standout Features
- ⭐Unique spiral cargo net climbs leading to long tube slides.
- ⭐Thrilling high and fast slides, including long tube slides.
- ⭐Diverse climbing options: wooden climbers, huge birdcage climb, and spiral cargo nets.
- ⭐Extensive variety of swings: 360 swing set, wrap-around circular swings, single, and multi-rider options.
- ⭐Numerous picnic benches and picnic tables, including a covered open pavilion with picnic tables.
- ⭐Rentable covered open pavilion, ideal for parties or events.
- ⭐Free, year-round all-family activities (music, crafts, storytimes) on weekends.
- ⭐Water fountains available for both people and dogs.
- ⭐Free parking available nearby and in ample supply.
- ⭐Presence of ice cream trucks on-site (as observed during visits).
- ⭐Portapotties conveniently located nearby.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Bring your own snacks and drinks to utilize the numerous picnic benches and tables available.
- →Consider visiting on a 'cool weekday afternoon' for a potentially less crowded and enjoyable experience.
- →If planning a special event, inquire about renting the covered open pavilion.
- →Look for the free family activities like music, crafts, and storytimes offered on weekends for additional entertainment.
- →Be aware that the 'huge birdcage climb and slide area' can be very busy, so plan accordingly if your children prefer less crowded play zones.
Things to Consider
- ⚠The 'huge birdcage climb and slide area' was observed to be the busiest spot, suggesting it can get crowded.
Price & Value
Entry to Anna C. Verna Playground is entirely free. The value proposition is exceptionally high, as it offers brand new, world-class, unique play equipment, ample amenities (picnic areas, water fountains, portapotties), and free, year-round family activities on weekends. While a covered pavilion is available for rent, no pricing details for this or any other potential hidden costs were mentioned, making it a very cost-effective family entertainment option.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Features single and multi-rider swings suitable for 'all ages', suggesting some basic level of accessibility in swing options.
- •Water fountains are available for both people and dogs.
- •No specific ADA-compliant equipment or sensory-friendly programs beyond general inclusivity were explicitly mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Outside food and snacks are highly encouraged, with numerous picnic benches and tables available.
- •A 'BBQ pavilion' is mentioned, implying that grilling or hosting BBQ events is possible in designated areas.
- •Ice cream trucks are often present on-site for purchasing treats.
- •Water fountains are provided for hydration.
🚗Parking Info
- •Free parking is available nearby the playground.
- •Reviewers noted 'lots of free parking', indicating ample space and ease of access.
👥Crowd Levels
- •The 'huge birdcage climb and slide area' was specifically noted as being the busiest.
- •The playground can attract 'lots of families' even on 'cool weekday afternoons'.
- •A midweek afternoon visit felt 'safe', suggesting manageable crowd levels during those times.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Reviewers 'felt safe' during their visit on a midweek afternoon.
- •Police were observed driving through the area during a visit, indicating a visible security presence.
- •The presence of staff ('very nice young man that works there') can contribute to a sense of safety and supervision.
⏰When to Avoid
- • There are no specific 'avoid' times mentioned, but be prepared for the 'huge birdcage climb and slide area' to be busy, especially during peak times like weekends.
What People Say
What's Great
- Great for birthday parties (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Jessica Heintz
a year agoExcellent play space especially for older kiddos! There were some awesomely high slides that go fast! There are also some great climbing structures and a cool 360 swing set. It had a few different types of swings! There are also a number of picnic benches so it's a great place to bring some snacks and enjoy in between playing.
Barb Hauck-Mah (barbhmphilly)
10 months agoIt was great to see lots of families enjoying this world-class FDR Park playground on a cool weekday afternoon. There are single and multi-rider swings for all ages to enjoy. I counted at least 5 different swing styles. The huge birdcage climb and slide area was the busiest. There is free parking nearby and they're set up to have water fountains running for people and dogs. There are picnic tables and portapotties nearby. Year-round, they offer free, all-family activites like music,crafts and storytimes on the weekends. There is a covered open pavillion with picnic tables that you can rent for a party or other event.
Vicki Jane
a week agoIt's really nice!! There have been all kinds of improvements lately and it's quite good. There is also a very nice young man that works there in the morning!!
Joe Bernstein
4 months agoIncredible play area! Wonderful new slides, BBQ pavilion, wooden climbers, wrap around circular swings. Lots to do, brand new, lots of fun to be had!
B Gilbert
7 months agoUnique playground with spiral cargo net climbs leading up to long tube slides. Other smaller slides, swings and climbing equipment offer a different experience than most playgrounds. Felt safe during midweek afternoon. Lots of free parking. Ice cream trucks. Police drove through while we were there. Would go back
Contact Information
South Philadelphia West, Philadelphia, PA 19145, USA
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