Beating the heat at Pennypack Park [photos]

Yet another heat wave has hovered over Northeast Philadelphia.

Residents of the Northeast have been beating the heat at Pennypack Park since the 1800s when beaches dotted the slow-moving creek throughout the city. The beaches are gone but the residents still seek relief from the heat in Pennypack.

I visited the park at Pine Road where the creek slips into the city from Montgomery County. The park was a bustle of activity with bikers, joggers, walkers, families and those relaxing along the creek in the shade.

Continue reading to see our slideshow of park-goers enjoying a break from the heat.

Sue Lynn, who operates a sandwich and cold drink cart at the entrance of the park, said she loves the heat wave.

“Business has been good,” Lynn said. “This is my best summer in three years. The heat wave has been very good to me!”

Nora Rudolph of the Friends of Pennypack Park maintains the flower beds at the park entrance. “The heat has been tough, but these plants make it through,” she said. “My garden consists of hearty mixed perennials and native plants.”

A group of Fox Chase residents who call themselves “The Fox Chase Posse” relaxed at pebble beach as their dogs cooled off in the creek. Kelly Snyder and her dog, Murphy, enjoyed the water and breeze at Pebble Beach. Lee Verdro of Mayfair said he had been coming to the park since 1938 and his granddaughter Christine loves to fish the creek.

Fred Clemens of Mayfair resided in Lawncrest for many years prior to moving. “I’ve been coming here since I was a kid,” he said. “It’s a beautiful park. I tried to get Fairmount Park [Commission] to let us fix up the pavilion but they said we couldn’t do it because of insurance reasons. I love this place.”

So as yet another heat wave rolls in, residents make their way to the Pennypack – just as they have for more than a hundred years.

G.E. Reutter resides in the Fox Chase. You can visit him at his website. You can read his Fox Chase articles for NEast Philly here.