301 Park Ave Pavilion
The covered pavilion at the Park Ave grounds, the shelter you reserve when the party needs a rain plan. Picnic tables, shade, and a short walk to the playground.
Picnic in the burbs
Every picnic spot we vouch for, across every town we cover. Cross a town line for the good ones. That's the whole point.
The picks
- 301 Park Ave Pavilion
- Anson B. Nixon Park
- The Board Housewife
- Branchwood Park
- Core Creek Park
- Curtis Arboretum
- Dowlin Forge Park
- Evansburg State Park
- Fischer's Park
- Fort Washington State Park
- Franconia Community Park
- Graeme Park
- Hibernia County Park
- James Memorial Park
- Kohler Park
- Lake Towhee Park
- Lorimer Park
- Lower Perkiomen Valley Park
- Marsh Creek State Park
- Palmer Park
- Peace Valley Park
- Prophecy Creek Park
- Quakertown Memorial Park
- Roberts Ridge Park
- Tyler State Park
- Water Works Park Pavilion
Anson B. Nixon Park
110 acres stretching from Kennett Square Borough into Kennett Township, just off State Street, with two ponds, three miles of walking trails, a 250-year-old beech grove, and disc golf. Open sunrise to sunset, every day.
The Board Housewife
Charcuterie boards built to order on North Main — the move for a Fonthill picnic or a night you're hosting but not cooking.
Branchwood Park
A 25-acre Franconia Township park along the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek with a first-come, first-served 9-hole disc golf course and picnic tables at the water's edge. Six pickleball courts round out the newer additions.
Core Creek Park
Bucks County's 1,200-acre park about a ten-minute drive south of town, open dawn to dusk. Rowboats, kayaks, and pedalboats rent on the water, and there's an off-leash dog park plus 11 rentable pavilions.
Curtis Arboretum
Cheltenham Township's 45-acre arboretum on grounds landscaped by Frederick Law Olmsted: hills, two ponds, and more than 50 kinds of trees. The lower level holds a fenced dog park with over an acre of off-leash run and a separate enclosure for small breeds.
Dowlin Forge Park
Uwchlan Township park with parking and picnic tables near the upper end of the Struble Trail, open dawn to dusk. The 2-mile Uwchlan Trail branches off just beyond Dowlin Forge Road, and the special-regulation trout water runs between Dowlin Forge and Dorlan Mill Roads.
Evansburg State Park
A 3,349-acre state park cut through by Skippack Creek, with hiking and horseback trails, picnic groves, trout fishing, and an 18-hole golf course. Mill buildings and houses from the 1700s and 1800s still dot the old Mennonite farmland.
Fischer's Park
Towamencin's largest park at 77 acres, with more than 3 miles of walking trails, a fishing pier on the Towamencin Creek pond, and the Arneth Entertainment Center for performances. Five covered pavilions and two playgrounds handle the picnic logistics.
Fort Washington State Park
493 acres named for the temporary fort Washington's troops built in the fall of 1777 before heading to Valley Forge, open sunrise to sunset every day of the year. Birders climb the observation deck for the seasonal raptor migration; everyone else comes for the trails, picnic areas, disc golf, and spring dogwood bloom.
Franconia Community Park
Nearly 50 acres next to the Franconia Township building, with 2 miles of walking trails, a playground rebuilt in 2022 with equipment accessible to all, a roller hockey rink, and ice skating when winter cooperates. Entrances sit off both Allentown and Godshall Roads.
Graeme Park
The Keith House is the only surviving residence of a colonial Pennsylvania governor, anchoring the 42-acre grounds of Horsham's lone National Historic Landmark. Guided tours run Friday through Sunday; the nature trails and picnic spots are yours the rest of the time.
Hibernia County Park
More than 900 acres of woods, meadows, and trails wrapped around a 19th-century ironmaster's mansion just north of town. Chambers Lake handles the boating and fishing, mansion tours run many Sunday afternoons, and the campground opens weekends April through mid-November.
James Memorial Park
West Rockhill Township's park on the old James farmstead, dedicated in 1975, with a half-mile walking path, a pond, basketball and sand volleyball courts, a tot lot, two pavilions, and a dog park. Heritage House, the restored farmhouse at its center, became home to the West Rockhill Historical Society after 2011.
Kohler Park
71 acres off Horsham Road with a fishing pond, a dog park, two playground areas, and a lighted in-line street hockey court. There is even a chess table near the gazebo.
Lake Towhee Park
A 549-acre Bucks County park around a lake in Applebachsville, about ten minutes northeast of the borough. Fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and a playground, open dawn to dusk.
Lorimer Park
230 acres of woods and meadows along Pennypack Creek, bequeathed by Saturday Evening Post editor George Horace Lorimer and stocked with trout by the PA Fish & Boat Commission. Council Rock, a boulder overlooking the creek, is a favorite photo spot, and the 6.2-mile crushed-stone Pennypack Trail runs from Rockledge north to County Line Road for level hiking and biking.
Lower Perkiomen Valley Park
A 107-acre county park in Oaks that serves as a trailhead for both the Perkiomen Trail and the Schuylkill River Trail. Pavilions, a playground, and creek-side fishing on the Perkiomen fill out the rest.
Marsh Creek State Park
1,784 acres wrapped around the 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake, just north of the borough with a Downingtown address. Sailing and fishing on the water, a seasonal pool, and the horse stable and most trails on the west side at 800 North Reeds Road.
Palmer Park
Skippack Township park where a 2-mile walking trail loops past tennis, pickleball, bocce, ballfields, and a playground. The pavilion has restrooms, and there's a Little Free Library on site.
Peace Valley Park
1,500 county acres a few minutes north of the borough, with seasonal rentals of rowboats, canoes, pedal boats, and kayaks. A nature center, fishing, playgrounds, and five picnic pavilions fill out the park.
Prophecy Creek Park
Whitpain Township parkland where Prophecy Creek winds through rolling meadows and ponds on its way to the Wissahickon, past a manor house and barn. Open dawn to dusk.
Quakertown Memorial Park
Home of QuiNBy's Playground, an all-inclusive setup built around a castle tower up to 29 feet tall with a 155-foot net obstacle course alongside. Come winter the parking lot is flooded into the borough skating pond; a green flag on the pole means the ice is good.
Roberts Ridge Park
A 22.8-acre township park whose main event is a large inclusive playground built for kids ages 2 to 12. The Newtown Trail crosses the property, so you can walk from the swings clear into Tyler State Park.
Tyler State Park
1,711 acres of former farmland and woods where Neshaminy Creek winds through and divides the park into sections, starting right at the edge of town. Biking, bridle paths, boating, and disc golf, with gates open 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year.
Water Works Park Pavilion
The rentable pavilion at Water Works Park, built for reunions, showers, and cookouts that need a roof. Book it through the borough and bring your own charcoal.
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