In summer 2021, Fairmount Park Conservancy, in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the East Park Coalition, and community members, constructed horseshoe pits in East Fairmount Park across the street from Woodford Mansion. This project also included bike racks, 2-4 benches, and new tree plantings.
Background
Around 2017, members of the East Fairmount Park Coalition–a group of community members, stakeholders and park institutions– proposed the idea of constructing 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). Meetings occurred between members of the community and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to develop the scope of improvements, and a basic project scope was established.
In 2020, the project was reinitiated with Fairmount Park Conservancy as the project manager. The Conservancy is currently re-engaging project stakeholders and working with a local contractor to build and deliver the horseshoe pits to East Fairmount Park.
In summer 2021, the Conservancy, Parks & Recreation, and the Strawberry Mansion community celebrated the completion of the horseshoe pits. Two horseshoe pits are constructed according to standard dimensions. The pits are located along Dauphin Drive, across the street from Woodford Mansion (where equipment will be stored). In addition to the regulation horseshoe pits, this project includes bike racks, 2-4 benches, and new tree plantings.
