Fort Washington State Park
Wissahickon Creek runs through Fort Washington State Park.
Map showing the location of Fort Washington State Park
Map showing the location of Fort Washington State Park
Location of Fort Washington State Park
Map showing the location of Fort Washington State Park
Map showing the location of Fort Washington State Park
Fort Washington State Park (Pennsylvania)
LocationMontgomery County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Nearest townFort Washington and Flourtown
Coordinates40°07′11″N 75°14′01″W / 40.11972°N 75.23361°W / 40.11972; -75.23361[1]
Area493 acres (200 ha)
Elevation328 feet (100 m) [1]
Established1953 (1953) as a state park
Named forThe temporary fort built by George Washington’s troops in the fall of 1777, before heading to Valley Forge
AdministratorPennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Fort Washington State Park
Pennsylvania State Parks

Fort Washington State Park is a 493-acre (200 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Springfield and Whitemarsh Townships, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The park is noted for the springtime flowering of dogwood trees, and is popular with families for picnics and hiking. It is approximately 17 miles (27 km) north of Philadelphia, 2 miles (3.2 km) from exit 339 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

History

The observation deck at Fort Washington State Park overlooks the Wissahickon Creek, a National Natural Landmark.

Both Fort Washington State Park and the neighboring town are named for American defenses and encampment established here in 1777, during the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War.[2] After Washington's defeat at the Battle of Germantown, his 11,000 troops were encamped in this area from November 11, 1777 to December 11, 1777, after which time they marched to Valley Forge for winter quarters. From December 5–8, 1777, the Battle of White Marsh was fought in the immediate vicinity. The park's Fort Hill marks the spot where a temporary fort once stood. The Pennsylvania Militia under Generals Armstrong, Cadwalader and Irvine held positions on what is today called Militia Hill.[2]

The park was established by Philadelphia's Fairmount Park Commission in the early 1920s. The commission, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters, administered the park until 1953. That year, an act of state legislature transferred responsibility of the park to the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters (known today as the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources).[2]

Recreation

Recreational activities at Fort Washington State Park include Disc golf, fishing, hiking, dog walking, bird and wildlife watching, sledding, cross-country skiing and picnicking. From September 1 to October 31, an organized "Hawk Watch" takes place in which viewers can observe all 16 species of raptors that migrate on the East Coast from the park's observation deck. Hunting is prohibited at Fort Washington State Park.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Fort Washington State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. August 2, 1979. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Fort Washington State Park". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved 2006-07-11.
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