Parking

There's a nice little park catty-corner to Washington Square, at 6th and Walnut Streets. I always wondered what this park was called. Well, turns out it's Independence Square, and it is part of Independence National Historical Park, which gave me pause about covering it. Should Parking only cover "Philly" parks, or are National parks within Philadelphia all right? I've decided it's all right if I only discuss the actual outdoor park part, and not the bells and whistles that go along with it (i.e., Independence Hall and Liberty Bell and pretty much anything over in that part of the city that requires that you wait in line and pass a security check). You may note my obvious hypocrisy here; a few weeks ago, I gushed over Shofuso in Fairmount Park, which you have to pay to get into and isn't really a park in the sense of you can picnic at it, etc. But, oh well.

Independence Square is terrific. It is teeming with history. The Declaration of Independence was first read to the public there, on July 8, 1776. A statue of Commodore John Barry, Father of the American Navy, is in the park's center. There is a Once Upon A Nation story telling bench near the park's center. And on any given day, you're likely to see someone dressed in Colonial garb sauntering through the park. My favorite is the woman who wears a watch and a pair of sunglasses along with her long linen dress and bonnet. While definitely a tourist spot, Independence Square doesn't seem to draw the sort of screaming child/overly boisterous parent/just got off that stupid duck boat tourist crowd that Washington Square does. There's definitely a more somber feel in this square than in Washington Square, but everyone there still seems to be having an enjoyable time. Perhaps the park is quieter because you have to climb a series of steps to get into the Square, thereby dissuading anyone from running in, screaming. Or perhaps it's because many people, having just exited Independence Hall, feel a bit solemn and have enough respect for history to prevent their kids from running and screaming at the top of their lungs. Things could be quieter also because of the park's lack of a fountain for anyone jump in. Or perhaps it's the bevy of park rangers and security guards standing by to make sure no one sneaks into Independence Hall. No matter what it is, the air across Walnut Street is definitely a bit more mellow.

As the summer has actually begun to heat up, I've been spending more of my lunch hours over in Independence rather than in Washington Square. The main reason: Independence Square's awesome, gigantic shade trees. It must be about ten degrees cooler in that park than in the rest of city. It is really impressive what a difference trees can make. Independence does get a bit crowded, but there is usually always a bench to sit on and plenty of grass to spread out on. No matter how sick you may be of all the 1776 stuff, visit Independence Square anyway. It's supposed to be hot for a while now—might as well escape the heat under the trees there.

Upcoming Events in Parks:

Concerts:

• Glen Bryan Group at Malcolm X Park (previous Parking). Thursday, 8/20, 7-9PM.

Get Involved:

• Building Blox Street Cleanup at Mifflin Square (previous Parking) and Weinburg Park. Saturday, 8/22.
• Dickinson Square Park Clean Up Saturday, 9AM, Tasker and 4th Streets (previous Parking).

Festivals/Flea Markets:

• Carroll Park Community Council Pride Fest at Carroll Park, 58th Street and Girard Avenue. Saturday, 8/22, 11AM-8PM
• Flea Market, Muhammed Park: 47th and Lancaster Avenue. Saturday 8/22, 9AM-4PM.

Dance:

• Line Dancing at Malcolm X Park. Wednesday, 8/12, 7-9PM

Farmer's Markets:

• Cliveden Park, Wednesdays, 2-6PM, Chew Avenue and Johnson Street
• Schuylkill River Park, Wednesdays, 3-7PM
• Fitler Square (Previous Parking), Saturdays, 9AM-1PM
• Clark Park (Previous Parking), Thursdays, 3-7PM, Saturdays, 10AM-1PM
• Rittenhouse Square, Tuesdays, 10AM-1PM and Saturdays 9:30AM-3PM
• Palmer Park Frankford Avenue and East Palmer Street, Thursdays, 2-6PM

If you know of anything exciting happening in your local park in the near future, please e-mail amy@phillyist.com!

Photo by author.