Fairmount Park Digital Guide: Lemon Hill
Your guide to discovering Lemon Hill and beyond in East Fairmount Park
The story of Fairmount Park starts here. Situated just above the Schuylkill River sits Lemon Hill, the iconic yellow mansion where Fairmount Park was founded. Today, the historic landmark and its grounds offer views of the city skyline, recreation, nature, and more.
Start Your Journey
Begin your exploration of the area at our Lemon Hill Park Hub, located right by the mansion at Lemon Hill Drive. ( Directions ).
Explore these nearby gems within walking distance:
- Lemon Hill Gazebo (2 min walk)
- Lemon Hill Trail (3 min walk)
- Hatfield House (12 min walk)
This Park Hub includes a portable restroom and a parking lot.
Click on the points to view each Park Hub
There are six total Park Hubs in Fairmount Park that are great jumping off points for your journey.
Park Hubs in Fairmount Park
Discover Lemon Hill
We hope this guide will lead you on a path to discover the less-traveled features near and around Lemon Hill.
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1
Lemon Hill Mansion
Lemon Hill Mansion was built by wealthy merchant Henry Pratt in 1800 as the centerpiece of his garden estate. A beloved place of recreation for nineteenth century Philadelphians, Lemon Hill was the first property purchased by the City of Philadelphia in creating the new Fairmount Park.
The mansion is currently closed, although the grounds around it are open and offer breathtaking views of the city skyline.
Swipe to view a historic photo of the mansion via the Free Library of Philadelphia's Print and Photo Collection.
2
Lemon Hill Gazebo
The Lemon Hill Gazebo is one of the lesser-known gazebos in Fairmount Park. It is situated high above Kelly Drive, offering views of the Schuylkill River, and is a quiet spot in the park to seek solitude.
Swipe for a 19th-century view of the gazebo.
3
Lemon Hill Rim Trail
The Lemon Hill Rim Trail is a short, wooded trail behind Lemon Hill Mansion that runs the rim of the cliffs high above Kelly Drive and offers some views of the Schuylkill River.
There are various trail heads marked with small trail signs with yellow lemons along Lemon Hill Drive and Sedgley Drive. Eventually, the trail meets up with the Boxers' Trail.
4
Hatfield House
The Hatfield House, a historic house and community cultural hub, is located at the intersection of North 33rd Street and West Girard Avenue in East Fairmount Park.
Originally a farmhouse constructed circa 1760, it is the only all-wood historic house in Fairmount Park. Given to the city by Major Henry Read Hatfield, the house was moved from its original location near Hunting Park and Pulaski Avenues to its current location in Fairmount Park in 1930. In 2017, the Fairmount Park Conservancy created a one-year artist residency at the house, beginning the journey to transform the Hatfield House into a community-centered space for art, culture, and history.
5
Boathouse Row
Fairmount Park’s Boathouse Row is a central identifying icon of Philadelphia. The National Historic Landmark features 15 boathouses that line the Schuylkill River and each offer their own architectural styles. All built more than a century ago, they are each home to award-winning rowing clubs.
Explore more areas of Fairmount Park
Know Before You Go
Follow social distancing guidelines in Philly parks
- Do not go out if you or members of your household are self-quarantining or do not feel well. Know the symptoms.
- Wear a facemask.
- Stay at least six feet from others.
- Avoid gathering with people outside of your household.
- Wash or sanitize hands before and after using play equipment. Parks & Rec will not be able to clean or sanitize play equipment while it is in use.
- Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol or wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
Enjoy your visit? Share your photos!
Tag @myphillypark in your photos of Fairmount Park on social media. We'd love to see what you discovered during your time spent in Fairmount Park.
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