We are thrilled to announce the completion of new horseshoe pits in East Fairmount Park!

On Tuesday, July 6th, Fairmount Park Conservancy gathered with members of the Strawberry Mansion Community and the East Park Coalition in East Fairmount Park to celebrate the completion of this long-awaited project, which also includes custom wooden benches and newly planted trees.

“This project would not have happened without the community and so many partners in East Fairmount Park coming together and rallying for what they want,” said the Conservancy’s Executive Director Maura McCarthy, Ph.D. 

In 2017, members of the East Fairmount Park Coalition – a group of community members, stakeholders and park institutions that work with Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation – proposed the idea of building horseshoe pits in East Fairmount Park, near the Dauphin Street entrance to the park (across the street from Woodford Mansion and north of the Miles Gray Tennis Courts). Community members met with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to develop the project scope and improvements. Fairmount Park Conservancy then re-engaged the community and stakeholders in 2020 and served as the project lead. 

“This project is truly a testament of the importance of community partnerships,” said Elisa Ruse-Esposito, Stewardship Manager at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.

Judith Robinson, Director of the Strawberry Mansion Civic Association, is one of the longtime champions of this project. “This is so important, to have amenities that welcome people to our park,” Robinson said. “We know people want to get off the beaten path. So we say welcome, welcome to East Fairmount Park!”

Use of the Horseshoe Pits is free, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Players may bring their own equipment or borrow equipment from Woodford Mansion, 2300 N. 33rd Street (across the street). Two sets are available to borrow from Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm. 

The horseshoe pits project was designed and installed by Apiary Studio.