Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse3510

my 4 year old and myself loved th is playground we stayed for over 3 hours

Gorgeous Fairmount Park...old meets contemporary play for young and old. A slide down the giant slide is well worth the trip and helps get the sillies out of all of us!

We love Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse and can't wait to go again.

I agree with other people in saying that this is a WONDERFUL playground and playhouse with horrible (few) staff members. I have never found a staff member who was truly nice and kind, and have come across several who were down right nasty and VERY willing to argue with parents in front of kids. It is upsetting that one of Philly's nicest places for children has such a rude staff working there. If my kids didn't love it so much, we wouldn't go simply because I disagree with their attitudes so very much.

I have been to the indoor part of the playground several times with my three- and five-year-old sons. I have never seen it very crowded. My boys absolutely love the working traffic light and big wheels in the basement! We look forward to trying out the outdoor part this Fall. I have never had much interaction with the staff either positively or negatively, it never seemed like it was really supervised by staff. Over all, definately worth visiting!

My son was invited to a birthday party on the front lawn of Smith Memorial Playgrounds and Playhouse. Our hosts had contacted the playhouse twice before the date of the event and was told we could picnic on the front lawn without a reservation or a fee. When we arrived, our hosts were accosted in the parking lot as we were setting up by the manager of the place who said we had no right to be there and if we didn't leave, she would call the police. Our hosts tried to explain what they had been told, but the manager would have nothing to do with it. About 45 minutes later, the police arrived talked with the manager and then with us. Long story short, we were allowed to stay. The playhouse and playground are incredible and all the kids had fun. It was not fun for the hosts who were verbally abused and publicly humiliated.

The Smith Playhouse is an amazing place for toddlers to explore and play! We took my daughter there when she was one and she liked exploring; I think it'll be even more fun now that she's a little older. You do need to keep watch, of course, as there are stairs and on the upstairs level, some smaller toys. The playground is fun - she liked the giant slide - although I think it's generally geared toward kids beyond the toddler age. Nonetheless, there's plenty of space for city kids to run in the grass, and you can bring a picnic for the grounds in front of the playhouse. I found the staff to be polite. I can't comment directly on the experience of the person who found otherwise. I'll say, though, that I appreciate the staff enforcing rules about cell phone use and keeping kids beyond the appropriate age - and adults unaccompanied by children - out of the play areas. These are important policies and practices for safety and enjoyment. We went to another popular kiddie place in town with what seemed like zero staff supervision and not enough parental supervision either. Older kids played in areas meant for little ones; it wasn't fun, and we paid big bucks for it. Smith is free and pleasant.

I visited Smith Memorial Playground in August with my 16-year-old daughter and four daycare children ages 2-7. My daughter was told to get off of a bench, join her group, or leave the park! I was surprised and dissappointed that six adults were on equipment preventing children from using it, but my 16-year-old, on a bench, was asked to leave for listening to ringtones on her cell phone! We were treated very nastily and I vowed never to return to this park again! When I spoke with the director about Grace's behavior and her ill treatment of me, he sided with her with regard to a 16-year-old remaining with a "daycare group." When my daughter informed Grace that I was with the children and did not need her assistance, Grace insisted, in a nasty tone, that my daughter get off the bench and leave the park! When I asked my daughter couldn't sit on a public bench in a public park, Grace sharply informed me that, "Smith Playground is privately owned and supported with private dollars, thank you." Meanwhile, as my 16-year-old sat on a bench, there were two 13- and 15-year-old boys USING the playground equipment that was restricted for children ages 4-10 years. Smith Playground is centered in the heart of North Philadelphia, an urban neighborhood rich with African American Culture. We were judged by a stereotype - and treated as if we were there to ruin the park - without provocation. I was horrified that my daughter and daycare children had to witness such a thing in 2006. As for the park, the slide is an awesome ride for kids and adults alike! Their new swings and state-of-the-art equipment - a hughe SPIDER WEB!!! OH WHAT FUN FOR THE KIDS! - encourage imaginative play. They also have an indoor playhouse equipped upstairs and downstairs to entertain a child's imagination for hours on end!

I remember this place as my absolute favorite "reward" destination from when I was a little girl. I am 44 now, and live in Los Angeles. When I visit in July, I am thrilled to know that I will be able to introduce my son to Smith!

Smith is a great place, especially for kids ages 0-5. Friendly staff and clean and unique toys make this a favorite for my little one!