Anna C. Verna Playground — Attraction in Philadelphia

This risky playground blew my mind. I took my fearless 3 year old there and she did not care how scary it seemed to me. I hurriedly ran after her in the first tower and noticed that there was a drop off on the left and huge holes my child's tiny body could fall in on the right, for those who could take bigger steps from rope to rope pathway, a spiral up the tower. Ropes come down from above, so you can hold onto them. Even though I recognized the danger. I also recognized that it was do-able. I saw kids near my child's age with parents just chillin. I saw these kids joyfully run up the climbing net/tower, and they also watched over my child. They helped her, waited for her, moved carefully around her. I went up with her the first time, overcoming my own fear of heights. I went down the slide. Then later, she went up the tall tower. I was scared and told her, wait, don't! and she didn't care. I told other kids, don't push her and let her move freely,, or Stop her! haha and they watched over her extra well, and told her, "Your mommy doesn't want you to go." But she persisted. She went down the big slide, no problem. I was seriously worried she'd fall over head first by accident. She was okay. I felt like it was a healing experience in some weird way to watch my offspring be fearless and it helped me see how maybe my own mother's fear of dangerous situations has really held me back in my life. I also think kids must develop a sense of true danger this way. It must actually make it so later in life they will not seek out risky behaviors that are actually too extreme. Even though small children could fall down, I also analyzed that potential and realized the kid would hit another level easily, get scraped on some ropes, but probably not be able to straight up fall straight down, and if somehow they did they would have so much friction from the things they'd bump into, it would be a slow fall, and they probably wouldn't be fatally injured .. yes that is where my mind goes. Seems clear to me, that my child is not gonna be catastrophizing her life in her mind like I do, and that is so cool. This playground is like some sort of psychological tool to develop really important life skills. It helped me feel a greater sense of trust, not just with my child, but as a person, that maybe not knowing everything is okay (because you can't see everything your child does or every really have complete control over...

I must say from the beginning I was disappointed by the lack of equipment especially for the physically challenged. When this playground was in the planning stages it seemed like it was going to be an all inclusive playspace. As far as equipment for those with physical challenges there is none besides maybe a swing. Also when just visiting on 09/15/25 the maintenance is severely lacking. See photos attached. I get it its a nice place for get togethers and parties but please take the responsibility to clean up afterwards for those who attended and also after your kids. If you like the playground and enjoyed it let's keep it that way not only for others but yourself as well. Would you like to have had your party in so much trash laying around? Be...

It was great to see lots of families enjoying this world-class FDR Park playground on a cool weekday afternoon. There are single and multi-rider swings for all ages to enjoy. I counted at least 5 different swing styles. The huge birdcage climb and slide area was the busiest. There is free parking nearby and they're set up to have water fountains running for people and dogs. There are picnic tables and portapotties nearby. Year-round, they offer free, all-family activites like music,crafts and storytimes on the weekends. There is a covered open pavillion with picnic tables that you can rent for a party or...