What and where is Clark Park?
Posted 02-18-2013 at 09:23 PM by Clark Park
Clark Park is a city park in West Philadelphia's "University City District." It was established in the 1890's by a local real estate developer who felt that children and families needed a green space as the neighborhood was being built up and urbanized. His name was Clarence Clark.
Clark Park is just 5 blocks west of the "Ivy League" University of Pennsylvania. It is just across the street from USP - the University of the Sciences Philadelphia - which is the oldest pharmacy college in the US. It is bordered by 43rd Street on east, 45th Street on the west, Woodland Avenue on the south, and Baltimore Avenue on the north. Baltimore Avenue is the original Baltimore Pike that connected the cities of Philadelphia and Baltimore in colonial times.
Three interesting facts about Clark Park: 1. there is a large grassy crater or depression at the southern end of the park that is not natural - it was a man-made mill pond for a colonial era mill that was there. It has been drained of water long ago and no trace of the mill remains, but kids love to sled down it's slopes when it snows. 2. During the Civil War much of what would become the park was the location of Satterlee Hospital, which was perhaps the largest Union hospital during the war. This was where many of the wounded from Gettysburg were taken. No trace of the hospital remains. 3. The only statue to English author Charles Dickens - in the world! - is located in this park. Dickens is portrayed with his fictional character "Little Nell." Dickens didn't want any statues of himself and asked his survivors to honor his request, but the Philadelphia sculptor who created it was unaware of the late author's request.
Clark Park is just 5 blocks west of the "Ivy League" University of Pennsylvania. It is just across the street from USP - the University of the Sciences Philadelphia - which is the oldest pharmacy college in the US. It is bordered by 43rd Street on east, 45th Street on the west, Woodland Avenue on the south, and Baltimore Avenue on the north. Baltimore Avenue is the original Baltimore Pike that connected the cities of Philadelphia and Baltimore in colonial times.
Three interesting facts about Clark Park: 1. there is a large grassy crater or depression at the southern end of the park that is not natural - it was a man-made mill pond for a colonial era mill that was there. It has been drained of water long ago and no trace of the mill remains, but kids love to sled down it's slopes when it snows. 2. During the Civil War much of what would become the park was the location of Satterlee Hospital, which was perhaps the largest Union hospital during the war. This was where many of the wounded from Gettysburg were taken. No trace of the hospital remains. 3. The only statue to English author Charles Dickens - in the world! - is located in this park. Dickens is portrayed with his fictional character "Little Nell." Dickens didn't want any statues of himself and asked his survivors to honor his request, but the Philadelphia sculptor who created it was unaware of the late author's request.
Total Comments 3
Comments
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Great historical stuff!
Thanks for coming on here. Hope you can come on back and share some more. 
Posted 02-21-2013 at 08:13 PM by case44
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Cool info on Dickens! I know that the Dickens Inn is the sister tavern to the other in London. Have been to both (London is better). I believe they are actually owned by the family.Posted 04-13-2013 at 09:57 PM by soulsurv
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Once again I was totally involved with your reading material. Very informative for a non American like me. Thank you Clark and I hope you find time to continue on another timePosted 08-26-2014 at 11:57 AM by Almrausch
