Play-A-Palooza: Smith Memorial Playground set to hold outdoor playground grand opening party
As spring fever spreads, Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse (3500 Reservoir Drive) plans to celebrate Play-A-Palooza, its seasonal playground grand opening party which will take place on Saturday, March 25. At the upcoming event, families will be able to enjoy nature exploration, carnival games, arts and crafts and other special activities in the 6.5-acre playground before the official start of playground season.
Photo Courtesy Zoe Hillengas
Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse is a large facility that caters to the needs of families with young children, providing a space for safe fun and play.
“Play-A-Palooza is Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse’s seasonal playground grand opening party,” Zoe Hillengas, the Communications Manager of Smith Memorial Playground, told Spirit News. “Although the indoor playhouse is open year-round, the 6.5 acre outdoor playground is closed from January through March. Each year we hold this special event the Saturday before the official playground opening to celebrate extended spring visiting hours for free family visits that begin in April.”
The playground is situated on its original historic landscape – 6.5 acres of open fields, wooded terrain, and sloped hills – and is home to the century old Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide, a treasured landmark for generations of Philadelphians who grew up around Smith Playground.
Photo Courtesy Zoe Hillengas
“Today, we welcome 181,000 visitors from more than 500 zip code areas, including every zip code in Philadelphia. While our reach is national, we have a special commitment to and relationship with the families and children in our nearby neighborhoods,” Hillengas said. “In addition to welcoming families to Smith, we also partner with a broad network of social service agencies to bring play opportunities and educational workshops about the importance of play to thousands of children and adults outside of Smith.”
Play-A-Palooza will be an action-packed afternoon providing fun and activities for the whole family to enjoy, whilst being a great way to kick the spring and the start of warmer weather.
“We are thrilled to reopen the playground after the winter, and can’t wait to welcome families back for days of play at Smith,” said Meg Wise, Executive Director at Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse.
Play-A-Palooza is free for Smith members or $10 per child for non-members (accompanying adults free). The event will run from 12pm-4pm.
