Philadelphia weather can be rainy and wet. Waterproof jackets and umbrellas for rainy days will make walking on wet Philly days drier. Winter is relatively mild compared to many other inland locations, however, cold snaps do occur that require a warm coat to ward off the chill. When snow does occur, sidewalks can be slippery and footwear with good traction will keep pedestrians from accidental slips and falls. Summer can be uncomfortably hot and humid for on foot travel and dog walkers may choose to take their pet out at cooler times of the day.
The terrain in Grays Ferry is relatively flat with no steep hills to climb, which is good news for dog walkers. The neighborhood of Grays Ferry is a developed urban area with some recently developed sections and older areas with different architectural styles. The Schuylkill River is located on the west side of the district and the neighborhood has a coastline along the river, part of which is dominated by industrial area.
The Schuylkill Expressway runs north-south through the neighborhood and this large busy freeway has limited pedestrian crossings. An industrial area sits on the southwest corner of the region that is also not designed for pedestrian use. Homes in the community mostly consist of row housing and multifamily buildings. Some residential buildings are newer and some are more historic. Sidewalks are present throughout the neighborhood that provide separate pedestrian ways for people traveling on foot with their canine companions.
Residents of Grays Ferry with pups that love to go for a walk often frequent Grays Ferry Crescent Park and Trail. This park wraps around the east bank of the Schuylkill River from 34 feet to Wharton Street. This natural park has amenities like seating, lighting, and waste disposal facilities. The Grays Ferry Crescent Trail runs through the park along the river and is popular with dog walkers, joggers, and cyclists. The trail provides over 4000 feet of maintained walking space with another 2,000 plus feet of trails in the park connecting to it.
Lanier Park is a 4-acre park that has just recently been redeveloped to include sports fields, a playground, water feature, picnic areas, pedestrian paths, and a pet-friendly area. There is a dog park located here with a separate area for large and small dogs to play safely.
Stringer Park is another local park that has recreational facilities and pedestrian paved paths for Grays Ferry locals and their pets.