McMichael Park

McMichael Park is a 5.9-acre green space located in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established in 1929, the park is named after Morton McMichael, who served as the Mayor of Philadelphia from 1866 to 1869 and was the first President of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park Commission from 1867 to 1879.

The park features open spaces surrounded by benches and shade trees, providing a serene environment for visitors. In 2023, McMichael Park was awarded ArbNet level 1 arboretum status, boasting nearly 200 trees representing over 50 different varieties. Among its notable trees is an enormous White Ash, estimated to be nearly 100 years old, which was inoculated by the City of Philadelphia to protect it from the emerald ash borer.

McMichael Park is also home to two large Franklinia trees, a rare variety named after Benjamin Franklin that went extinct in the wild but was cultivated in Philadelphia. Another favorite among visitors is the Weeping Copper Beech, located on the park's perimeter, whose long branches create an appealing natural hideaway.

The park includes a war memorial and a climbing turtle, adding historical and recreational elements to the landscape. Since 1992, the Friends of McMichael Park have worked in conjunction with the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation to maintain and improve this neighborhood gem.

Throughout the year, McMichael Park hosts various community events, including movie nights, children's theater performances, and seasonal clean-up activities, fostering a sense of community engagement and environmental stewardship.