SSHP Matt Stanley for DRWC
Photo by Matt Stanley for DRWC.

By now, you’ve probably at least heard of Spruce Street Harbor Park, the whimsical riverside popup park that functions as an impromptu summer space. After all, it’s already been featured in Philadelphia magazine, the PhillyVoice, and Philly.com — and it’s even gotten national attention by way of The Washington Post.

Not bad for an attraction that’s free and open to the public, right?

This year, Philadelphians will have even more time to enjoy the waterfront thanks to the park being open nearly a month earlier than in past years, opening on Friday, May 6, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. 

Spruce Street Harbor Park’s organizer, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC), says that the park’s continued operation is thanks to the generosity of Univest Corporation and Valley Green Bank. SSHP sponsors also include PECO and Independence Blue Cross.

Spruce Street Harbor Park
Photo by Matt Stanley for DRWC.

Thanks to those sponsors, the park’s free attractions and events can continue. Those attractions include pingpong games, gigantic chess and Jenga matches, shuffleboard courts, paddle boats, hammocks, a boardwalk along the river, food, and, at night, beer gardens. In other words, it’s the perfect option for family oriented fun, dates, or simply hanging out with friends.

Then there’s the Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest, which DRWC calls “Philadelphia’s first and only outdoor roller skating rink located on the beautiful Delaware River.” There, Chickie’s and Pete’s is coming to the waterfront with a new seasonal location at the ice-rink-turned-riverside-rollerskating-rink.

Recently, Mayor Kenney thanked all the sponsors for their generous contribution to the vibrancy that is Spruce Street Harbor Park and for the many Philadelphia businesses that contribute to the flavor, literally and figuratively, of the park.

Last year, over half a million people made the trip to sit by the waters of the Delaware, lazily lounge in a hammock, or partake in the park’s food and entertainment programs. We can’t wait to see how many people enjoy it this year! The park is located at 401 South Columbus Boulevard at the intersection of Columbus and Dock Street.

With all of that in mind, Spruce Street Harbor Park is one reason we love Philly.

Do you love Philly, too? Tell us (and the world) why using the hashtag #WhyILovePhilly!