Matthias Baldwin Park
| Matthias Baldwin Park | |
|---|---|
| Type | Neighborhood park / Dog park |
| Location | Spring Garden |
| Coordinates | 39.9640,-75.1680 |
| Area | 1.5 acres |
| Established | 2004 |
| Operated by | Philadelphia Parks & Recreation |
| Features | Dog park, playground, community garden, public art |
| Hours | Dawn to dusk |
| Transit | Walk from Spring Garden area; SEPTA buses |
| Website | Official Site |
Matthias Baldwin Park is a small neighborhood park in Spring Garden, created on a former industrial site and named for the 19th-century locomotive manufacturer and abolitionist. The park is known for its popular off-leash dog area, community garden, playground, and public art installations.[1]
The park transformed an industrial brownfield into a vibrant community green space.
History
[edit | edit source]Matthias Baldwin
[edit | edit source]Matthias Baldwin (1795-1866):
- Founder of Baldwin Locomotive Works
- Major Philadelphia industrialist
- Prominent abolitionist
- Supporter of African-American education
- Funded Institute for Colored Youth (later Cheyney University)
Industrial Site
[edit | edit source]The location was formerly:
- Part of industrial Philadelphia
- Manufacturing facilities
- Brownfield site
- Vacant and underutilized
Park Creation
[edit | edit source]2004: Park established:
- Pennsylvania Horticultural Society initiative
- Community involvement
- Brownfield remediation
- Modern urban park design
Features
[edit | edit source]Dog Park
[edit | edit source]Off-leash area:
- Fenced dog run
- Popular with neighborhood dog owners
- Water available (seasonal)
- Social gathering spot
Playground
[edit | edit source]- Modern equipment
- Safe surfaces
- Age-appropriate areas
Community Garden
[edit | edit source]- Plot rentals
- Community managed
- Urban agriculture
- Educational programs
Public Art
[edit | edit source]- Art installations
- Community-involved design
- Park signage explaining Baldwin's legacy
- Integration of art and landscape
Rain Garden
[edit | edit source]- Stormwater management
- Native plants
- Environmental education
- Sustainable design element
Using the Park
[edit | edit source]Dog Park
[edit | edit source]- Off-leash allowed in fenced area
- Pick up after dogs
- Popular mornings and evenings
- Social for dogs and owners
Recreation
[edit | edit source]- Playground
- Walking
- Community events
- Passive relaxation
Visiting
[edit | edit source]Hours
[edit | edit source]- Dawn to dusk
- Year-round access
Getting There
[edit | edit source]Location: 19th and Wallace Streets, Spring Garden
By Public Transit:
- Walk from Spring Garden area
- SEPTA Bus 7, 32, 48
By Car:
- Street parking
Tips
[edit | edit source]- The dog park is the main draw
- Small but well-designed
- Near Eastern State Penitentiary
- Good example of brownfield reuse
Significance
[edit | edit source]Matthias Baldwin Park represents:
- Brownfield-to-greenspace transformation
- Industrial legacy acknowledgment
- Abolitionist history recognition
- Community-driven park creation
- Modern sustainable design
Nearby
[edit | edit source]- Spring Garden — Surrounding neighborhood
- Fairmount — Adjacent
- Eastern State Penitentiary — Nearby historic site
- Art Museum Area — South
See Also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Matthias Baldwin Park". Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Retrieved December 30, 2025