Weccacoe Playground
| Weccacoe Playground | |
|---|---|
| Type | Neighborhood park / Playground |
| Location | Queen Village |
| Coordinates | 39.9360,-75.1460 |
| Area | 2 acres |
| Established | 1912 |
| Operated by | Philadelphia Parks & Recreation |
| Features | Playground, spray ground, basketball courts, community space |
| Hours | Dawn to dusk |
| Transit | Walk from South Street; SEPTA buses |
| Website | Official Site |
Weccacoe Playground is a neighborhood park in Queen Village, serving as the primary recreation space for this historic South Philadelphia neighborhood. Named for the Lenape word for "pleasant place," the park provides playground facilities, a spray ground, and athletic courts for the diverse Queen Village community.[1]
Weccacoe anchors the community life of Queen Village.
History
[edit | edit source]Name
[edit | edit source]Weccacoe comes from the Lenape language:
- "Wekakwe" meaning "pleasant place"
- Name of colonial-era plantation
- Historic land use in area
- Preserved in park name
Development
[edit | edit source]The playground established 1912:
- Progressive Era recreation facility
- Served growing neighborhood
- Multiple renovations over decades
- Modern improvements 2000s
Features
[edit | edit source]Playground
[edit | edit source]Play equipment:
- Modern climbing structures
- Swings
- Slides
- Age-appropriate areas
- Safe surfaces
Spray Ground
[edit | edit source]Summer water play:
- Seasonal operation
- Free access
- Popular summer destination
- Hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day
Basketball Courts
[edit | edit source]- Full courts
- Popular pickup games
- Lit for evening play
Community Space
[edit | edit source]- Benches and seating
- Gathering areas
- Neighborhood events
- Dog-friendly areas
Using the Park
[edit | edit source]Playground
[edit | edit source]- Best for ages 2-12
- Supervised play
- Busy after school and weekends
Spray Ground
[edit | edit source]- Summer months only
- Popular on hot days
- Arrive early for best experience
- Bring towels
Basketball
[edit | edit source]- Open play
- Evening games common
- Neighborhood courts
Visiting
[edit | edit source]Hours
[edit | edit source]- Park: Dawn to dusk
- Spray ground: Memorial Day-Labor Day
Getting There
[edit | edit source]Location: Catherine Street between 4th and 5th Streets, Queen Village
By Public Transit:
- Walk from South Street
- SEPTA Bus 40, 47, 57
By Car:
- Street parking
- Near South Street
Tips
[edit | edit source]- The spray ground is extremely popular in summer
- Close to South Street restaurants
- Historic Queen Village worth exploring
- Combine with walk to Penn's Landing
Queen Village Context
[edit | edit source]Queen Village:
- Historic South Philadelphia neighborhood
- Originally Southwark and Moyamensing
- Diverse community
- Strong neighborhood identity
- Near South Street and Delaware waterfront
Nearby
[edit | edit source]- Queen Village — Surrounding neighborhood
- South Street — North
- Society Hill — Northwest
- Penn's Landing — East
- Pennsport — South
See Also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Weccacoe Playground". Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Retrieved December 30, 2025