Why SMITH?
SMITH The Kids’ Play Place in the Park – An Answer
For over a century, SMITH, a non-profit organization, has provided generations of Philadelphia children ages 10 and younger and their families with opportunities for safe, unstructured physical, creative, and imaginative play. Easily accessible by public transportation, SMITH’s beautiful recreational facilities include the 24,000 square foot SMITH Playhouse with three floors of activities on a bluff overlooking the Schuylkill River; the 6 1/2 acre grassy tree-shaded Playground and the 100 plus year old Giant Wooden Slide.
A high-performance playground that serves more than 140,000 visitors annually, SMITH is uniquely designed to help children be happy and healthy by providing:
- Designated age specific play areas in which to interact safely with children from a wide range of backgrounds and income levels;
- State-of-the-art, colorful, safe, accessible play equipment and safety surface designed for children of all abilities;
- A variety of equipment and toys created to challenge minds and encourage risk taking as children move from one area to another and in the process develop muscle groups and improve coordination, balance and self–confidence;
- Natural park setting where children can play without fear of abduction, abuse or physical violence; and
- Unlimited opportunities for children and adults to play together.
Admission to Smith is free for families, and children of all income levels and physical abilities are invited to enjoy a fantastic setting for play, while building strong family bonds and the physical, behavioral and developmental skills that lead to a more active lifestyle and encourage long-term health and well-being.
