Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse was built with a bequest from Richard and Sarah Smith, and was dedicated to the memory of their adult son, Stanfield.  Smith’s beautiful, 16,000 square foot Playhouse was designed solely as a play space for children by one of Philadelphia’s most prominent late 19th century architects, James H. Windrim.  The Playground is situated on its original historic landscape – 6 1/2 acres of open fields, wooded terrain, and sloped hills – and is home to the century old Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide, a treasured play experience for generations of Philadelphia’s children, as well as other unique pieces of play equipment.

Constructed in 1899, Smith’s operation today is just as important as it was during the Playground Movement of the late 1800s. From its inception, Smith has offered a free and beautiful place for children to play, away from the noise of the city and free from the constraints of the classroom. More than 100 years later, Smith’s program of physical and creative play remains innovative and invaluable. As a one-of-a-kind facility, Smith serves as a role model for other play spaces across the nation. Child-oriented agencies use the Playhouse as a staff and client training facility, while other organizations study and replicate Smith’s unique, safe, and accessible play equipment.

For more information on operating hours, visiting guidelines and admission rates please visit https://smithplayground.org/ or call +1 215-765-4325.