Millbrook is a neighborhood in the far reaches of Northeast Philadelphia. What began as farmland in the early settler days eventually turned into a series of small subdivisions and neighborhoods in the 1950s that came together to form Millbrook. Out of all the neighborhoods in Philadelphia, Millbrook is one of the few that has a distinctly suburban atmosphere and culture within the city limits. Streets are lined with trees, grassy areas, middle-class homes, churches, and small businesses that make it feel more like a small town than an urban epicenter.
Philadelphia is a very large east coast city with weather that you can usually find along the coast. It doesn’t get as cold as other northern cities due to the influence of the nearby coastal waters, but it also doesn’t get as warm as other southern cities. Because of its typical middle-of-the-road temperatures, it makes for an ideal place to walk most of the year.
The terrain in the majority of the Philadelphia area is usually quite flat and mild, but in its farthest northeast areas, this doesn’t always hold true. In Millbrook, there are several roads that have a few small inclines or gradual hills and slopes that aren’t characteristic of the southern areas closer to the heart of the city. On streets like Knights Road, a major thoroughfare in Millbrook, you will find yourself going up a gradual slope from south to north most of the time.
This isn’t a very high-traffic part of Philadelphia and it is very residential, meaning you won’t be dealing with much bustling commotion at any point on your walk. Streets like Knights Road are wide and full of commuters going to and from work during rush hour, but there are plenty of other areas to walk your dog free from traffic.
There are a few major parks within the boundaries of Millbrook and several others in the nearby vicinity. Poquessing Valley Park is the largest within the borders of the neighborhood, resting at Millbrook’s eastern edge. It is 32 acres in size and has the Poquessing Creek running through it with several trails for running, biking, and dog walking that are extensive and easily accessible. This has become a mainstay for nature-lovers in the area and is probably the best candidate for dog walking in Millbrook as well.
If you are looking for smaller options, Chaifont Playground is located at the center of the neighborhood and it has a playground for children, sprinklers to run through, and several open green spaces with trees that offer shade on warmer summer days. Between these two and the other parks and greenways in the area, Millbrook is rich with natural places to take your dog.