Let's Play: Smith Playground

A Philadelphia treasure for over one hundred years, the Smith Playground and Playhouse is undergoing yet another addition to its list of attractions. The "tot lot" will be dedicated to outdoor play for children under five and will be located directly behind the playhouse. At the same time, repairs continue to Smith's beautiful terra cotta roof. So don't let the scaffolding or the construction vehicles in front of the building fool you, however. Smith is open for business.

Built in 1899 through the generosity of Richard and Sarah Smith, the playhouse was built in memory of their son Stanfield in East Fairmount Park. A directions link is below but suffice it to say it's probably ten minutes from all of us. As opposed to many of the mansions in Fairmount Park, the home was never lived in by the family but built instead specifically for the children of Philadelphia. The design encourages open spaces with plenty of room to run. In the last ten years, the entire facility has undergone a rejuvenation like no other that continues with the new construction.

The first floor features a reading room with books of all shapes and sizes. There is also a miniature wooden kitchen, a train and a small wooden house. We've spent hours on this floor alone.

The basement is where Smith keeps all its riding toys for young children. It features working stop lights. On the second floor, there are literally hundreds of toys in a large space that encourages interaction but also a puppet show or two. The actually playhouse is open all year but is restricted to children under five. A great kitchen and seating area to host a birthday party shares the first floor.

The big difference in the property in the last ten years is the outdoor playground. It is the home of the world famous wooden slide. Built in 1905, there are many scary moments waited to be had with a potato sack on the way down this slide. Beautifully restored in 2005, there is nothing like the first trip down for a youngster (and for you for that matter). The outdoor playground is open to children under ten from April through October. Behind the slide (in the area of the new Tot Lot) are new swings, an updated witches' hat and plenty of interactive balance beams.

"It is," as my six year old nephew described it, "the biggest playground in town."

Oh, one more thing about Smith that's good to know. It's free. The employees will politely ask for a donation but this hidden gem in Fairmount Park is completely free. Now if they just passed out free cheesesteaks and had a TV for sports, it might just be the best place in the world. They will not be doing that in the near future, however, because no food or drink is allowed in either the playhouse or out in the playground. Remember to keep this in mind. I let my kids snack up in the car after our visit.

Don't be scared by the scaffolding or the digging, it all means an even better Smith next year. Cabin fever on a Saturday or Sunday before the cold sets in? Even after? Smith Playground has been the answer for over one hundred years.