Norristown Farm Park — Attraction in West Norriton Township

Beautiful park and a great place for hiking and pictures. MOST of the park rangers have always been very friendly and polite. However out of the short year I've been visiting this park to walk my dog, hike, and workout, I have never had a bad experience. Unfortunately yesterday left a bad taste in my mouth when a park ranger (who I have never met out of the multiple rangers I encounter weekly) decided to change my view of the park.

My boyfriend and I were walking the paved trails as usual and were enjoying our time. During our walk around the large field along the edge of W Germantown Pike, he had plucked a few plants for me as they had small flowers on them, they were not wildflowers however. These were small weeds they have filling their field that is larger than a baseball field.

Fast forward, we are approaching my car to leave the park before closing at the posted 6:45 time. This ranger is in parking lot #2 (at this point already lecturing another woman who was sitting by the stream picking leaves as well). We get to my car and as I open my door, this ranger drives over from across the lot and parks in front of my car so I could not get around him or exit the lot. He steps out of his vehicle (white Nissan Xterra) and begins to lecture me on not being allowed to touch anything on park property. Mind you, I do understand uprooting or disturbing specific plants and flowers on private property is not sought after. I did not understand however that picking weeds on the edge of a paved walking trail was not. Long story short, this man then confiscates the plants from my hand and continues to lecture me about this weed not being able go grow anymore because of me. Again, this field is full of these plants.

I close my door and he eventually pulls away allowing me to be able to drive out of the parking lot.

This act has really given me a different view of the park and it's rangers. I have NEVER met a single ranger there who was rude or made me feel such a way I was cornered and uncomfortable. This, though such a minor situation, really made me reconsider visiting this park again in fear of my car being blocked in again and treated in such a well I felt I did something harmful and wrong. Whoever this is I'm truly sorry I made your work harder. Apparently I'm not...

This may be the most underrated and overlooked park in the entire Philadelphia metro area. There’s a lot to explore here, little off shoot trails, areas along the creek, old farm buildings, etc… Not only that, but the main trails are well maintained and there are a lot of options to take different routes each time. The vibe here is always welcoming and fun. Contrast this with Wilson Farm Park down the road, where the vibe is weird and filled with upper class professionals from the nearby town houses and condos exercising and families taking over entire areas so their kids can play sports. The vibe here is much more chill and relaxed - “hang out” oriented. One of my favorite things about this large park is the lack of the aforementioned ball fields. It seems to me like the Philadelphia metro area has this obsession with turning green spaces into places where kids can occasionally play baseball or soccer. This place is a welcome exception to that trend. Not to mention that, but a number of the parking lots have picnic tables, some covered and some not covered. This is strangely rare in the Philadelphia metro area too, where many of the parks lack picnic areas. Overall, this is one of my favorite places to go in the entire Philadelphia metropolitan area when I just want to get out and...

I often love to walk or drive the entire park farm route and if I am walking or the passenger I will play mobile games and love it here!

Great for barbeques and family gatherings, there is a park bench and court area with loads of fun games you can setup on their pre-coordinated courts or make your own up. The courts are right next to two very large rectangular gazebos with fully covered rooftops and parking a stone throw away.

There is loads to so here if you appreciate nature, loads to so here if you want to spend time with family or even by yourself. The paths through the woods are well hiked and very clearly marked once you get a bit of a ways out but there is also a path that encircles the entire park and it is a humongous walk - it is a fantastic farm park.

Plus point for the owners also being really chill and laid-back and also being often the only ranger on site and available to help.

Just remember the park closes around 6 (sometimes people say sunset because so many other parks close in this area at that time but if you are ever curious the park rangers can help!...