Winter- A Good Time to Visit Pennypack Park and Nature Sanctuary

After snowfall – 2012

With the snow falling in Philadelphia yesterday my thoughts turned to the beautiful Pennypack Nature Sanctuary located along the slow moving creek between Pine and Veree Roads. Much of this part of Pennypack Park was part of Vereeville, a small town that vanished after the decline of the water powered mills. The land was eventually purchased by Industrialist Kennedy Crossan who sold it to the city for the staggering sum of one dollar to begin the western end of Pennypack Park. The west side of the park at Pine Road is bordered by Fox Chase Farm, its pastures rise to the top of Mount Stanley into Montgomery County.

Hikers-Pennypack Nature Sanctuary

Hawk rests in tree above the Pennypack Creek

The south side of the creek at this location is where a bike/walking path of asphalt runs the length of the creek to the Delaware River. There is a pavilion, large marsh, and dirt paths along small rolling hills adjacent to the creek. On the north side sits the Pennypack Nature Sanctuary, a wooded area containing marked pathways along the banks and the ridges of the Pennypack Valley.

Thoreau’s Hut by Ed Levine

Within these woods you will find two wood sculptures by the artist Ed Levine. Thoreau’s Hut and Sitting Benches. On the east end of the Sanctuary you will find the Pennypack Environmental Center which contains an exhibit hall. To the rear of the hall is a beautiful

Sculptured Benches by Ed Levine

amphitheater/camp fire area overlooking the Veree Dam on the Pennypack Creek and to the east is a Bird Blind constructed by Ed Levine. Two homes remain on the site, a servant’s quarters and Veree House.

Pennypack Environmental Center

This is a great place to bring the kids on a warm winter day, for brisk walks, bike rides or to reconnect with nature along the ridges above the Pennypack Creek. If you plan, you may be able to include a visit to the Pennypack Environmental Center and TheFox Chase Farm.