The district of Northern Liberties, or Fishtown, is rapidly becoming a hipster hangout filled with coffee shops, several of Philadelphia's top restaurants, art galleries, bars, and clubs. But it's one claim to fame has to be the home of Edgar Allan Poe. At one time, this was an industrial area, but in the last decade, the artsy crowd has moved in. The majority of the homes here are row houses. This is a very old section of Philly and is still undergoing a period of rebirth. There are dog-friendly parks and pet stores, but if you want to go out to eat, it's going to be a bit of a drive.
Things can get a little slippery in the winter with weeks of sub-freezing temperatures, plenty of sleet and ice, and up to 15 inches of snow. But the turnaround on this is that summer here can be spectacular with temperatures in the mid-80s and lots of sunshine.
The terrain in Northern Liberties is more pavement than grass. Walking here with your pup can be a bit challenging. If they are not used to walking on paved surfaces, you need to start your walks out nice and slow. Try going to the end of the block and back at first, then slowly add in more distance as the calluses on their paws build up. Keep in mind that the pads on doggy paws are very delicate at first. It will take some time for them to toughen up.
The hard part is keeping your walks interesting. The best way to do this is to try taking different routes each time you go out. It's really not that hard! Of course, if you are new here, try not to get lost. There are a few small parks in the community, but beyond this, you and your pup will just have to get used to walking on the pavement.
Apparently, ensuring the neighborhood had greenways in any form must not have been on anyone's mind as this area was developed. But then again, the area was an industrial zone before it became an up-and-coming residential area. There are a few small dog-friendly parks in the community, especially on the waterfront. But if you want a park with trails that is big enough for your pooch to have enough room to run, FDR Park may be your best bet. It's a bit of a drive down I-95, but well worth the trip.
There are several baseball fields, tennis courts, and walking trails all over the park and around the lagoon in the middle. There are places for you and your entire family, your pup included, to have picnics and several ponds to explore. This is one of the most popular parks in this part of Philly and a great place to spend time with your family.